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Video: Ben Henderson retires following submission loss to Usman Nurmagomedov - Bellator 292

Prior to his Lightweight title fight against Usman Nurmagomedov in Bellator 292’s ma9n event last night (Sat., March 10, 2023), Benson Henderson revealed that his time for fighting in mixed marital arts (MMA) was winding down, revealing he would soon walk away from the sport so his wife could focus on her combat career.

While “Smooth” was hoping for at least three fights by making it to the end of the Lightweight Grand Prix, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 155-pound champion was forced to call it a day much sooner.

Shortly after suffering a lightning-quick first round submission loss at the hands of Nurmagomedov (see it again here), “Bendo” announced that he would officially be retiring from the fight game, proceeding to lay down his gloves on the canvas.

Henderson leaves the sport with a 30-12 record, which includes going 7-7 under the Bellator banner, 11-3 with UFC and and 5-1 with World Extreme Cagefighting Championship (WEC). He won titles for both UFC and WEC and was hoping to make history by becoming the only man to win belts for all three promotions.

As for Nurmagomedov, he moves one step closer to the $1 million fight and he will now await the winner of the upcoming showdown between Mansour Barnaoui and Brent Primus at Bellator Paris on May 12, 2023.


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