Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson fought for the third time inside the Bellator cage on Saturday night, looking to win the 155-pound strap in a third major MMA promotion. Henderson earned the lightweight title fight rather dubiously after Patricio Freire was forced out of their title contention fight because of a leg injury.
Some thought Henderson was fighting for the title having never won a round in Bellator, and it showed in the first round. A sharp Michael Chandler came out and swarmed Henderson from the opening bell, landing a couple of big right hands. Chandler landed a suplex that would make Brock Lesnar proud and mixed in guillotine attempts, Henderson showing how tough he was to survive.