Former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson Is Going To Test Free Agency

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By Ken Pishna

Benson Henderson completed the last fight on his eight-bout UFC contract when he defeated Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night 79 on Saturday in Seoul, South Korea. In his post-fight actions in the Octagon, he alluded to the idea that he might be ready to step out and test the free agent market.

Well, it wasn’t just an allusion.

In between comments, Henderson took off his gloves and set them down on the canvas; generally an indication that a fighter is done competing. But after saying into the camera, “Was that impressive enough for you?” he picked up his gloves and walked out of the Octagon.

He later confirmed to MMAJunkie.com that there was a reason for night signing a new UFC contract prior to the Masvidal bout, he intends to swim with the sharks in the free agent waters.

“When I retire, it will be retiring in the UFC, I know that for sure,” he said. “But I’m going to test the market, yes.”

Henderson didn’t exactly state that he would be fighting elsewhere once contract negotiations play out, but he has certainly blown the door wide open for such a possiblity.

“I’m not trying to send any message of any type, but if it plays out a certain way, I want to have some pretty good memories to go out on,” he said.

Several former UFC fighters have recently signed with Bellator, so it wouldn’t be all that surprising if Henderson were to follow suit. Phil Davis, Josh Thomson, and Josh Koscheck are all currently flying the Bellator, but another intriguing possibility could be Asian fight promotion ONE Championship (formerly ONE FC).

A match-up with current ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren would be a solid bout for both men, and continuing to fight in Asia is certainly something that Henderson might enjoy. For his part, it certainly sounds as if Askren is lobbying for his employer to make the move.

For now, however, Henderson’s next move remains in limbo, as he just finished his contract, and the UFC typically has a 90-day exclusive negotiating window with most of its fighters.

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Thoughts?

Does Henderson stay with the UFC?

If not, what organization does Henderson join?

Personally, I believe that if Henderson doesn't stay with the UFC, he will sign with Bellator.

* Edited at 11.28.2015, 7:06 PM ET *

Really? I was expecting him to go to Tachi Palace if he left the UFC.

@boredoms  So you don't think that there is any chance of Benson Henderson accepting an offer from ONE FC or RIZIN?

This is what fighters like Henderson are going to have to do if they want to increase their pay. It's a gamble and can pay off big if you are a desirable enough name. UFC may match whatever he's offered if they want to keep him around or he heads to another org making more money than UFC was willing to pay him. Either way he should come out ahead, hus only detriment is he hasn't always been the most exciting fighter since he won the title and often squeeks by winning close decisions. 

@bigj383  You say that and yet Josh Thomson left the UFC and signed with Bellator relatively recently, and Thomson's no slouch either.  So who's to say that Henderson won't do the same?

Would the UFC let him back later on?

Why wouldn't they? The UFC have shown that they're not run by infantile ******s in the sense that if you're marketable no fued is beyond "reconciliation".

Bendo will leave on good terms, Rampage, Randy, BJ Penn, Tito and many others didn't. Did the UFC take them back? In a heartbeat and with better paychecks.

If you're worth money, the UFC want you, if Bendo's still a draw when/if he wants back I'm pretty sure he'll be back.

But let's not forget that he hasn't left yet, m'kay.

@yoss Do you think Benson leaves?

@Greenhornet I say what? That fighters should test their value on the open market. Thompson did and he claims he is better off for it, though he is a bit of a different case since he left on a three fight skid but he claims he's making more so he wound up ahead. Wherever Ben winds up it will likely be more than he is making now. He could wind up like Josh Thomson making more in Bellator or like Gilbert Melendez making more in the UFC. In the end he will probably make more especially coming off a couple wins. Ben is doing what more fighters should do finish their contract and test their value. Instead of pulling a Nate Diaz signing a contract extension and then ***** it's not what they wanted.   

Whether or not Benson leaves the UFC will fall on the bottom line of who is going to pay him the most. At the end of this he will be making the most his name could possibly make in MMA 

@Hornet, I don't really know. I'm pretty sure he's already got a few offers on his table, he was pretty obvious about that. But I definitely agree with @Big, that showing the UFC that it's not a given their stars re-sign with them just because and checking your true value (or close to it) even if it's only to end up getting said value form the UFC are a must.

As for Bendo, I think what he really wants is to get to fight for UFC gold again ASAP, I think he's angling for a promise of a pretty clear path to a title shot (something along the lines of 2 more wins tops and he gets a shot) rather than more money, but that's pure speculation on my behalf and there's a good chance it's belony.

It'd feel weird for me if Bendo left. While he was never one of my favorites, I like the guy and he was one of the first guys I remember watching. I got into MMA right around the peak of his career when he was champion and saw him defend a couple of times. I know, I'm a late bloomer but still. 

IIRC, the first event I watched was when he defended his title against Nate Diaz. 

@bigj Misread your post.

Really? Bendo would have like a handful of decent matchups in Bellator or Rizin(though Bendo/Aoki could be awesome) and he isn't quite like Thomson as I don't think he's on the downswing of his career yet. I hope UFC resigns him, he's the exact sort of fighter they need to have around, but they better pay him more.

How much did he make in total for his last fight? All I know is he got 15 K from Reebok.

One Championship would be a nice fit.

Aoki vs Bendo for LW
or
Askren vs Bendo WW


Maybe have an open contract like Aoki to fight for Rizin

* Edited at 11.30.2015, 10:05 AM ET *

I think bendo is only making 48 base+48 win