Benson Henderson Empowers Wife To ‘Shine’ After Retirement from MMA

"Smooth" has now accepted his new role after retiring from MMA.

Benson Henderson Bellator
Benson Henderson Bellator - Image Credit @MMAJunkie Youtube
  • Benson Henderson will be committed to helping out his wife Maria in post-retirement
  • “Smooth” knew he was already approaching the end of his career prior to Bellator 292

Benson Henderson failed to ride off into the sunset with a bang after Usman Nurmagomedov choked him out to retirement in less than three minutes at Bellator 292. Nevertheless, “Smooth” is happy to embark on a new chapter in his life.

It’s Maria’s turn

Speaking to the media in his Bellator 292 post-fight press conference, an emotional Henderson came clean about his new role. According to the former UFC lightweight champion, he has no problem helping out his wife Maria, who made a successful MMA debut last year and is set to make her debut in the promotion at Bellator 293.

“I’ll be around. I’ll be in the gym… and I’ll be helping out with the guys and doing this and that but majority of my time will be taking care of the kids so, that she can train more… It’s my wife’s turn to shine , her turn to practice three, four times a day and get after it. I’ll leave that to her, and I’ll be doing the majority of taking care of the kids. But I’ll still be in the gym, helping my team, and of course helping my wife out and stuff,” Henderson revealed.

Benson made a deal with himself

Prior to losing to Nurmagomedov, “Smooth” won his last two fights. However, Henderson admitted that he already felt that the end was coming so, he made a deal with himself heading into his last four bouts at Bellator.   

“I told myself: Anytime you lose during these four fights then that’s probably it.’ So, that’s what happened so, time to lay the gloves down you know, but I’ll still be around, still be helping guys out,” Henderson added.

Henderson left the sport as one of the greatest lightweights of all time. He held lightweight titles for the UFC and WEC before becoming a two-division title challenger at Bellator. During his 17-year pro-MMA career, “Smooth” fought a wide array of legendary fighters most notably, Nate Diaz, Anthony Pettis, Frankie Edgar, Michael Chandler, Rafael dos Anjos, and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

After a legendary career, Henderson called it quits with a 30-12 record.

On the other hand, Benson’s wife Maria, is on her way to proving she is also a championship-caliber fighter. She submitted Melanie McIntyre in her pro debut at LFA 135 and will look to secure her first Bellator win on March 31 against Mackenzie Stiller.

Published on March 11, 2023 at 11:42 am
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