Monday Morning Hangover: Ben Henderson finds himself on the wrong end of another controversial loss

Another weekend of fisticuffs has come and gone, as UFC Fight Night 59 blew the roof off the TD Garden Arena in Boston, Mass., on Sunday (Jan. 18, 2015) via FOX Sports 1.

Plenty of fighters were left licking their wounds, including Norman Parke, who was out-gunned and out-pointed by Gleison Tibau in their pivotal lightweight bout (recap). And Dennis Siver, who failed to crack the Conor McGregor code, getting his chin cracked instead in the second round of the main event (video highlights).

But which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now just a few hours removed from the show?

Benson Henderson.

"Smooth" looked to get back on the winning track after losing his previous bout to Rafael dos Anjos via controversial stoppage at UFC Fight Night 49 last August. Standing in his way was a very familiar foe in Donald Cerrone, a man Henderson has defeated twice before.

Unfortunately for Benson, he found himself on the end of yet another controversial loss, as the ringside judges awarded "Cowboy" the unanimous decision victory. A result many felt should have gone the other way.

Recap here.

While it wasn't the most exciting fight (watch it), the two friends stood in the center of the Octagon for 15 minutes, trading strike after strike. Though neither landed a definitive, game-changing shot, it was, for the most part, a stand-up affair.

Benson was the busier fighter in round one, as both came out a bit hesitant. Cerrone managed to pop off a bit more offense in round two, going as far as scoring a takedown, only to allow "Smooth" back to his feet.

The third and final round and the fight was there for the taking. Cerrone came out a bit aggressive, perhaps feeling like he was down 2-0. But it was Benson that landed the best strike, stunning "Cowboy" for a split second, though he didn't do anything to go for the kill.

In the end, while I scored it 2-1 for Henderson, the judges felt otherwise, as they unanimously agreed Cerrone did enough to win the bout. The same judges that gave Cathal Pendred a unanimous decision win earlier in the evening that he clearly didn't deserve.

Judging in mixed martial arts (MMA) isn't perfect by any means, but decisions like this just leave you scratching your head.

Nevertheless, "Cowboy" won his second fight in two weeks and set himself up nicely in the title hunt with his seventh straight win. The other side of the coin isn't so pretty, as Henderson now finds himself the owner of a two-fight losing streak for the first time in his career.

"Smooth," however, took the high road and didn't bash the judges afterward when given the opportunity. Instead, he praised God, sucked it up, and asked for a quick turnaround.

If Joe Silva and Co. are feeling generous, they should pair him up against the aforementioned Norman Parke, who has only one loss in his UFC career. And though he may not be the biggest name, he will provide "Smooth" with a good challenge.

And since Henderson won't be receiving a "high profile" opponent next on the heels of his second consecutive loss -- fair or not -- if UFC comes calling with this fight, it would behoove him to take it.