Bellator 273: Benson Henderson Ready For Challenge Against Mamedov

Phoenix, AZ – With many in Bellator’s lightweight division shying away from a bout against his opponent, Benson Henderson knows this fight is the quickest way to a title shot.

“I’ll do whatever Bellator says. Whoever they give a title shot to. Scott Coker called me talking to some of the VPs in Bellator. I asked them point-blank ‘Hey what do I need to do?’. I know three losses in a row doesn’t look good. One’s at 170, it is what it is, but three losses in a row doesn’t look good. What do I need to do? What’s the quickest way I can get back to a title shot. I still feel as though, of course I’m biased but in my own opinion, I still feel I’m the best lightweight in the world. How can I get a chance to prove that? Then they throw Islam’s name in there. ‘This guy is 19-fight win streak in a row, he just beat he guy who beat you, Brent Primus, and no one else can fight him’ Everybody says no to Islam,” Henderson said at Bellator 273 media day on Wednesday.

“Yeah sign me up. I’m your Huckleberry.”

With Henderson (28-11) getting closer to the end of his career at 38-years-old a quicker path to a title shot is very appealing even if it means on taking one of the toughest fights in the lightweight division.

“Islam’s the guy who if I beat him I’m that much quicker, faster to a title shot, then absolutely I’m all for it.”

Mamedov (20-1-1) has a wrestling heavy style making it tough to book him fights with fighters who don’t want to have to deal with the control Mamedov puts on during fights.

“I think a lot of the guys don’t want to fight Islam because he is able to dictate the pace of the fight and make it the kind of fight that he wants and that’s probably a large part of the reason why most of the guys in the Bellator 55 roster don’t want to fight him.”

For Henderson the belt remains the goal in his fighting career and even at 38-years-old with a three-fight losing streak he is still focused on fullfilling that dream.

“For right now yeah the Bellator belt for sure, absolutely. I need, I will have that Bellator belt around my waist.”

Watch the full Bellator 273 media day appearance by Benson Henderson above. The event takes place this Saturday, January 29, 2022 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ. More coverage from Wednesday’s media day can be found below.

Bellator 273 Media Day