Smooth Transition: Benson Henderson Makes the “One-Time” Leap to Welterweight, But it Should Be For Good

By Raphael Garcia

“Smooth” Benson Henderson is one of the more interesting individuals in the world of mixed martial arts. Unfortunately, fans seem to have a hard time getting behind his fighting style, and they despise the fact that he’s taken multiple split decision wins that they feel should have gone the other way. Yet that does not erase the fact that he has been a force in the lightweight division for quite some time. However, his next fight will take place at 170 pounds. And while Henderson has said that this is a temporary move, the former UFC and WEC lightweight champion should consider making welterweight his home for the longer term.

“It’s definitely not permanent moving up to 170,” said Henderson during his appearance on “Inside MMA” last Friday. “It was more of a one-time thing. I’ve asked to move to 170. I’ve asked for short notice fights. I’m not going to back down now.”

That mentality has put Henderson into a main event matchup with the highly-touted Brandon Thatch at UFC Fight Night 60. He was originally slated to face Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night 63, but when the main event for this card fell apart, he stepped up on short notice. This fight is an interesting and dangerous one for him. Thatch will have a five-inch height advantage and a two-inch reach differential in his favor. Thatch has also shown an ability to defend takedowns well, so one aspect of the fight to watch will be whether or not Henderson can score takedowns as the smaller man.

But regardless of how the fight turns out, Henderson is not currently entertaining the idea of remaining a welterweight. However, at this point in his career, this could be a refreshing move at an opportune moment.

Henderson is on a two-fight losing streak for the first time in his career. The loss to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC Fight Night 49 is indisputable, but he also has a controversial defeat to Donald Cerrone at UFC Fight Night 59. No doubt this two-fight skid has factored into Henderson’s willingness to take a short notice fight, especially up a weight class. But if he has success this coming weekend, he should reconsider his earlier stance, and make the move more permanent.

The lightweight division is a weight class with a long list of potential contenders for current champion Anthony Pettis. Henderson is not on that list. He may have previously mentioned that the road to a shot at the title goes through him, but with two losses to the current champion, even if he keeps winning he is not likely to get a shot of his own. Suffering two back-to-back losses in the division has set him back at least two years from the point at which most fans would expect him to be a title challenger once again. And at 31 years of age, he may not have that much time to wait.

That is why the welterweight division can play a part in the next stanza of his career. If he can string together some wins, Henderson could find himself knocking on the door for a title shot at 170, and have the opportunity to add his name to the very short list of men who have held UFC gold in two divisions. Becoming a two-division champion would put him in elite company — only Randy Couture and BJ Penn have been able to do so — and no expert nor fan could deny his claim for inclusion on the list of the top names to ever compete in MMA. Henderson does not speak much of his “legacy” within the sport, but all athletes covet all-time consideration at some point in their careers.

Benson Henderson is stepping into uncertain waters when he faces Brandon Thatch at UFC Fight Night 60. His first foray into the cage as a welterweight has the potential to become a launching pad for the next phase of his career. He doesn’t seem too interested in staying at 170, but that is the best move for his career at this point in time.