Video: Benson Henderson intent on staying out of Pettis' shadow at UFC 164

It may be one of the most anticipated rematches in UFC history, and the first fight didn’t even take place in the organization.

Sure, by the time Benson Henderson (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Anthony Pettis (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) fought for the first time, at the WEC’s final event in December 2010, everyone knew they were heading to the UFC next following the promotions’ merger. But no one knew just what an impact that fight would have on both of their careers.

Henderson, then the WEC’s lightweight champion, lost a unanimous decision to Pettis in the WEC 53 main event – largely thanks to Pettis’ famed “Showtime Kick” off the cage in the fifth round, a move that caught Henderson in the face and dropped him. If that fifth round was going to be close, as the others were, the never-seen-before kick may have pushed two judges to Pettis in that frame. He won with a pair of 48-47 scores and a 49-46.

That kick changed his life, not only in terms of giving him a major title, but in terms of making him a superstar. It also changed Henderson’s outlook on his career as he has tried to break out of the shadow of that kick. Break out he has, going 7-0 in the UFC – Pettis has gone 3-1 with a loss to Clay Guida in his promotional debut – and winning the lightweight title, then defending it three times.

Now Henderson finds himself back in Pettis’ shadow. “Showtime” became an injury replacement for T.J. Grant to challenge for Henderson’s title – and he’ll get to do it Saturday at UFC 164 in Milwaukee, his home town. It’s almost as if it’s been fated. But Henderson is intent on keeping his belt.

Hear “Smooth” talk about the challenge in front of him in the video preview above.

And for more on UFC 164, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.