Bellator 292 was a stacked card from top to bottom, having taken place at SAP Center in San Jose, California. The arena hosted a tonne of great fights, headlined by the reigning and undefeated lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov against a very decorated MMA fighter in Benson Henderson. Benson was on a two-fight win streak coming into this fight, with three back-to-back losses prior.
Decisive finish from the champ!@Usmannmgdv kicks off his #BellatorLWGP campaign with a HUGE win.
📺 #Bellator292 | LIVE NOW | 🇺🇸 @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/af7yIvZjlE
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) March 11, 2023
As soon as the first round began, 39-year-old Henderson opened up with a leg kick. Usman Nurmagomedov responded with a popping jab, followed by a body kick. Immediately after, Usman seems to throw, what appears to be, an attempt for a question-mark kick. Even though it lead to the Russian slipping and falling on the canvas, it did enough to connect with Benson’s jaw, sending him straight to the ground.
This marked the beginning of the end, as Usman quickly and successfully takes the back of Benson and locks his hooks in. The no. 3 ranked Bellator lightweight ate a barrage of punches as he tried to survive Usman’s ground game.
USMAN NURMAGOMEDOV! 🔥
The lightweight world champion remains #AndStill with an incredible submission!
📺 #Bellator292 | LIVE NOW | 🇺🇸 @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/i55msZgfu3
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) March 11, 2023
And when he got the chance, the 24-year-old Russian fell back and started looking for a rear-naked choke. Soon after, Usman gave up on the choke and started throwing hammer fists at Henderson. This led to Benson giving an opening to the lightweight champion, who then locked in a rear-naked choke and made Benson tap at 2:37 of the very first round.
Bellator 292: Fans react to Usman Nurmagomedov’s dominant victory over Benson Henderson
With this finish, Usman advances his professional record to a perfect 17-0. Having a stacked corner including Islam Makhachev, Islam Mamedov, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Javier Mendez, it was going to be very difficult for Usman to lose. Fans knew not to expect Coach Khabib to make it to his corner after he announced stepping away from the sport not too long ago.
Benson, who is a former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, laid his gloves down in the ring. His record will stay at a good 30-12. While some fans are expressing their sadness over the fan-favorite Henderson retiring from the sport, many took to their social media to mock Benson’s earlier comments about “stopping Khabib“. Some fans even made the debate about illegal elbows to the back of Benson’s head.
Lmao i thought Henderson said he would stop Khabib 😂
— Bittcorn (@Bitcorn700) March 11, 2023
Too easy
— whypipo (@knawtSid) March 11, 2023
Why is Henderson still fighting. Should have hung it up years ago
— Joey (@jzruiz_) March 11, 2023
Henderson is doing just fine right now….no he’s not!! 🤣
— Ahmed Ali Khan (@AhmedAliKhanMD) March 11, 2023
There was some crazy elbows to the back of the head
— Jim Cramer for Ken Griffin (@ToShills) March 11, 2023
Strikes with elbows to the back of the head along with some punches would beat anyone
— joe woods (@jo4twenty) March 11, 2023
This win pushes Usman to the semi-finals of the Bellator Lightweight World Grand Prix. What do you think of Benson Henderson retiring? Let us know in the comments down below.
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