Last Saturday marked the UFC’s first ever show in Albuquerque, the New Mexico city that has become a magnet for elite MMA fighters.
In the show’s main event, Benson Henderson further asserted himself as a top lightweight with a fourth-round submission victory over Rustam Khabilov.
The win—Henderson’s first finish in nine UFC victories—has sparked debate on exactly who is in the top tier of the lightweight division and what matches should take place between that division’s elite.
In the post-fight interview, the former UFC lightweight champion issued a challenge to fellow lightweights who want a title shot.
“The belt’s not being defended,” Henderson said. “Anybody that wants to fight for the belt, come see me.”
With Anthony Pettis, the division's champion, currently coaching The Ultimate Fighter alongside future title challenger Gilbert Melendez, Henderson may be used as the man others may have to get past to fight for a future title shot.
Bendo may also become the perennial gatekeeper due to the fact that his previous two losses came against the same man: Pettis.
Right now, those losses may make it difficult to sell a third fight against Pettis, but there are a few other solid lightweights who may be up to the task of going toe-to-toe with Bendo.
One fighter who springs to mind is Khabib Nurmagomedov. Undefeated in 22 MMA fights (6-0 UFC), the Russian currently boasts one of the most stellar records in MMA and has made it no secret that he wants the belt.
Nurmagomedov is coming off a solid win against Top 10 fighter Rafael dos Anjos and has put himself in a good position for a fight to determine the No. 1 contender. Such a fight could be against Henderson, who is currently ranked first in the UFC lightweight division.
However, Bendo and Nurmagomedov are not the only fighters (besides Pettis and Melendez) in the top tier of the UFC’s lightweight division. The winner of next month’s match between Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone will also be held in high regard.
Both Miller and Cerrone have previously fought Henderson, and both fighters lost. Cerrone, however, last fought Bendo over four years ago while Miller’s loss came nearly three years ago.
Miller and Cerrone have remained solid fighters since those losses, which makes a Miller or Cerrone vs. Bendo rematch highly viable.
The winner does not necessarily have to fight Henderson, though. Josh Thomson came off a controversial split-decision loss to Bendo in January and is set to fight Michael Johnson next month.
A dominant win by Thomson would likely put him back in the title hunt, and a win by Johnson will secure the TUF 12 alumnus a place in the Top 10.
Although Pettis’s next title challenge won’t take place until the end of the year, the UFC lightweight division remains highly interesting and highly competitive.
