Benson Henderson (born November 16, 1983) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, who most recently competed in the Lightweight division for Bellator MMA.

Penn, Frankie Edgar, and Khabib Nurmagomedov for the second-most UFC lightweight title defenses.

When Henderson was approximately 9 years old, his mother, Song, insisted that he take Tae Kwon Do lessons with his brother.

While attending Dana College, Henderson was on the wrestling team, and was twice named an NAIA All-American.

He rebounded with four straight wins before facing his toughest fight yet, against a UFC veteran, Diego Saraiva.

Three months later, Henderson made his World Extreme Cagefighting debut on January 25, 2009, at WEC 38 against Anthony Njokuani.

[29] Henderson dominated the streaking Miller throughout the fight, utilizing a stiff jab, great transitions, and vicious ground and pound throughout the match to snap Miller's 7 fight win streak, the third longest in the UFC at the time.

[37] In a bout that was very tightly contested, Henderson defeated Edgar again, this time via split decision.

[40] Henderson faced the final Strikeforce Lightweight Champion, and promotional newcomer Gilbert Melendez on April 20, 2013, at UFC on Fox 7.

In his first post-title loss fight, Henderson faced Josh Thomson on January 25, 2014, in the main event at UFC on Fox 10.

[53] Henderson headlined UFC Fight Night 49 against Rafael dos Anjos on August 23, 2014.

[57] However, Alvarez pulled out of the fight in early January due to illness, and was replaced by Donald Cerrone in a rematch.

A bout with Michael Johnson was initially linked as the event headliner for The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale on July 12, 2015.

[64] Henderson was expected to face Thiago Alves on November 28, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 79.

[65] However, on November 14, 2015, Alves pulled out the bout citing injury and was replaced by Jorge Masvidal.

[72] The bout ended in anticlimactic fashion as Pitbull stopped himself early in round two to declare he had sustained a leg injury.

As a result, Henderson was awarded a TKO victory due to injury and earned a title shot against Michael Chandler.

[73] It was revealed post-fight that Freire had broken his shin in the first round after Henderson checked a low kick with his knee.

[87] On October 25, 2019, it was announced that Henderson would next rematch Michael Chandler at Bellator & Rizin: Japan on December 29, 2019.

[88] However, Henderson was forced to withdraw from the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Sidney Outlaw.

Jackson controlled a majority of the fight, winning via unanimous decision in an upset victory.

[104] He lost the fight via rear-naked choke submission in the first round, and subsequently announced his retirement during the post-fight interview.

[106] Henderson competed against fellow MMA veteran Ben Saunders in a superfight at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 1 on December 16, 2021, and won the match by unanimous decision.

[107] He then faced Demian Maia in the main event of Polaris 20 on June 25, 2022,[108] losing the match by unanimous decision.

[110] Henderson competed in a welterweight no gi match against Neiman Gracie as the main event of ADXC 1 on October 20, 2023.

[112] On August 20, 2024 it was announced that Henderson would make his professional boxing debut in a tournament hosted by Stake on MF & DAZN: X Series 18 – Stake Pro Tournament Card on September 14 at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

[113] Henderson defeated Avila by unanimous decision and advanced to the finals, where he faced Idris Virgo in the co-main event.

[117] Henderson proposed to his fiancée in the Octagon after his win over Gilbert Melendez at UFC on Fox 7.