Usman Nurmagomedov fires MMA legend at Bellator 292
Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Benson Henderson in the first round to defend his lightweight title
With UFC champion Islam Makhachev in his corner, it took Nurmagomedov less than a round to take down Benson Henderson and make the first defense of his lightweight title in Friday night's main event held at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. Nurmagomedov (17-0) dropped Henderson (30-12) with a headbutt in the opening seconds of the fight, then came down with punches before regaining control and landing a rear naked choke, becoming only the third person to ever send the former UFC champion into the cage. MMA.
With this victory, Nurmagomedov advanced to the semi-finals of the Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix.
“We have more work to do,” Usman Nurmagomedov said later.
Henderson, 39, put his gloves in a cage and announced his retirement after the fight. One of the most decorated lightweight fighters of his era, Henderson has captured UFC and WEC titles in his 17-year MMA career and has defeated a host of high-profile fighters such as Frankie Edgar (x2), Nate Diaz, Gilbert Melendez, Donald Cerrone (x2). ), Jorge Masvidal, Josh Thomson and others.
“These last four fights that I signed with Bellator, I told myself that if I lose even one of these last four fights, then the time has come,” Henderson said emotionally.