Ben Henderson wants to one-up Anderson Silva in title defenses, become best MMA fighter on the planet

Since winning his first-ever Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight title in 2012 -- defeating Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 -- Ben Henderson has defended it twice, eight defenses shy of middleweight champion Anderson Silva's current streak.

And while "The Spider" doesn't have any plans of letting up anytime soon, "Smooth" wants to catch up to the Brazilian bomber's title defense streak and eventually surpass him with the goal of always being one better than the current pound-for-pound king.

It won't be an easy task, but Henderson wouldn't have it any other way if he wants to reach his ultimate goal of becoming the best mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter on the planet as he recently told Bleacher Report:

"I'm going to continue to work hard to reach my goals. Anderson is now at 10 title defenses so my goal is to get 11. If he gets another title defense then I'll have to set my goal even higher. Those are the goals I set and reaching that goal is not just about setting the record. Reaching that goal is about confirming I am the best fighter on the planet. I just want to be the best fighter on the planet. There have been plenty of fighters - who at the time were known as the best fighter on the planet - but they didn't have a 10-title defense streak and didn't have all the records. I feel at one time B.J. Penn was definitely the best fighter on the planet. Did he have a 10-fight win streak? No, he didn't. Did he have an undefeated streak where he won 16 fights in a row? No, he didn't. But at the same time, everyone knew and understood he was the best fighter in the world. I feel having that streak is my way of cementing the fact I am the best fighter on the planet. That is ultimately my goal. If it comes by winning a bunch of fights in a row and having an amazing win streak, then cool. I'll take it. I guess I don't really have to have that, but it is my ultimate goal. I want to be the best fighter I can be and be the best fighter on the planet."

Henderson will look to get title defense number three when he takes on former 155-pound Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez in the main event of UFC on FOX 7 on April 20, 2013 in San Jose, California.

Silva, meanwhile, will look to extend his record streak to 11 when he faces "All-American" Chris Weidman at UFC 162 on July 6, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What say you Maniacs, can "Smooth" match Silva step-for-step on his way to becoming the greatest fighter on the planet? Which champion is likely to cough up his title first?