Benson Henderson committed to finishing Roger Huerta at Bellator 196 'by all means'

Benson Henderson is sick and tired of having close fights, and he intends on doing something about it.

During his UFC career and time as the organization’s lightweight champion, Henderson (24-8 MMA, 1-3 BMMA) thrived in fights that went to the scorecards. He won nine of 10 when his bouts were decided by the judges, but since coming to Bellator, his fortunes have turned.

That’s the primary reason Henderson enters his Bellator 196 headliner against Roger Huerta (24-9-1 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) on a skid. He’s 0-3 in Bellator fights that go to a decision, but Henderson said his solution is relatively simple: Don’t let his fights reach the final bell at all costs.

“For me, for a long time it’s been about finishing fights,” Henderson told MMAjunkie. “I had a good run where I won a lot of close decisions and close fights. That was a great, amazing feeling, it was wonderful. Now I’m on a little run where I can’t win a decision to save my life. It doesn’t matter what the reason is. If I know I’m not going to win a decision then hey, no problem. I’ll accept that challenge.

“If it’s not just me and my opponent, but it’s me against three judges who are all against me, then OK, no problem. I accept that challenge. I will get nothing but finishes and work my butt off. I need to take the blame. I accept full responsibility. Not getting a win is my fault. I need to get a finish then by all means.”

Bellator 196 will take place at BOK Hall in Budapest, Hungary. The lightweight bout between Henderson and Huerta headlines the main card, which airs on Paramount via same-day delay.

Henderson wasn’t originally scheduled to fight at Bellator 196. The promotion lost its original main event on less than four weeks’ notice, and both Henderson and Huerta were contacted for the makeshift bout. That’s something “Smooth” relishes, though.

The former WEC and UFC titleholder has historically preached the mentality of competing under any circumstance. Henderson’s doing it at Bellator 196, though, and flying far across the world to make it happen.

Henderson said he had no hesitation taking the opportunity, but he did have some requirements. The opponent didn’t matter, but the weight class did. Henderson said Bellator initially pushed for a catchweight fight, but he demanded it be at lightweight so he could enhance his standing in the title picture.

“It didn’t matter who it is, but I just wanted to make sure it was at 155 and not a catchweight at 160 or 165,” Henderson said. “I wanted to do 155. I’m at two losses in a row right now. I didn’t want to have some catchweight wins and have people saying, ‘Oh he had a good win, but it was at 165.’ I don’t want to there to any excuses or discussion or any of that stuff.”

Although he doesn’t give much concern to his opponents, Henderson did admit the matchup with Huerta was unexpected. “El Matador” hasn’t fought for a major American promotion since his previous Bellator appearance in October 2010. Henderson said he looks forward to not just fighting him – but winning with his first stoppage since February 2015.

“You have to earn title shots here,” Henderson said. “You have to go out there and work for it, and I have no problem with that. I was never afraid of hard work. I was never afraid of fighting anybody. I will win three or four times before I title shot if I need to. Let’s do it.”

For more on Bellator 196, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.