Since he came to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Benson Henderson knows nothing other than victory.
He has won all five of his fights under the UFC banner, including the lightweight championship over Frankie Edgar in UFC 144 and then defending the title last August with a split-decision victory in the rematch.
Now comes tonight’s UFC on Fox, where Henderson is the main event as he defends his title against Nate Diaz before what should be a pro-Henderson crowd at KeyArena. Henderson, 29, grew up in Federal Way but has never fought so close to his hometown.
Not only is the fight a chance to show off in front of family and friends, but it’s also another opportunity to solidify his place among the elite UFC fighters.
“I don’t think he has had his due yet,” UFC president Dana White said. “This is the fight for him right here. Nate is mean and nasty and comes out and he finishes people by knockout, by submission. I think this is the fight for Ben Henderson.”
The title bout highlights a card rife with interest for what lies ahead in UFC. The undercard includes a light heavyweight fight between Brazilian Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Sweden’s Alexander Gustafsson – the winner being next in line to fight for the light-heavyweight championship currently held by Jon Jones.
There’s also B.J. Penn’s return to fighting for the first time in 13 months, facing Rory MacDonald, and Mike Swick against Matt Brown, both welterweight bouts.
White considers the card – the fifth on Fox – to be the finest put together for broadcast TV and one of the strongest overall during a run of bad luck with injuries that caused fight plans to change.
“The way things have gone for us lately, you know how happy I am to be standing up here with all the guys picked to fight on this card. It’s been a while. I’m really happy about it,” he said.
Henderson graduated from Decatur High School and will likely get a better reception than in his last fight in August in the rematch with Edgar. Henderson was showered with boos after the split decision in his favor was announced during UFC 150 in Denver.
It was Henderson’s fifth straight victory, and when combined with his WEC fights, he has won 15 of his past 16.
“I think leading up to all my fights I try to take it in stride and stay focused on the fight. All my friends and family, they know,” Henderson said. “They’re all pretty understanding and give me my space and time to let me get ready to do this thing.”
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