Twitter reacts to Benson Henderson’s UFC Fight Night 42 submission win

Benson Henderson (21-3 MMA, 9-1 UFC) held on to his position as one of the UFC’s top lightweights with a fourth-round submission victory over Rustam Khabilov (17-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 42 main event at Albuquerque, N.M.’s Tingley Coliseum.

“Smooth” took a major risk in fighting a lesser-known opponent with the talent of Khabilov. Fortunately, that risk paid off in a big way, and he walked away with his ninth UFC victory and first finish inside the octagon.

Henderson is unlikely to receive a title shot while Anthony Pettis holds the belt due to two previous losses to the current lightweight kingpin. However, defeating Khabilov keeps his name in the conversation of top contenders and assures big-name opponents.

To see what fans, media and fighters in the MMA community thought about Henderson’s victory, read the Twitter reactions below:

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Up Next your main event of the evening! @BensonHenderson vs @RustamTheTiger #UFCFightNight #ABQ pic.twitter.com/1c0MC6fj0r

— UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2014

Bendo needs more fish hooking imo. — Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) June 8, 2014

This Khabilov guy is no joke.

— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) June 8, 2014

Wait…is Greg Jackson speaking English to Khabilov in a Russian accent? Huh. Okay. — Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) June 8, 2014

Greg Jackson’s Russian?

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) June 8, 2014

I just learned that Greg jackson has an accent…who knew he spoke Russian-English! — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) June 8, 2014

What the hell Ben Henderson never gets tired, this dude is not human !!! #UFCFightNight

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) June 8, 2014

We have entered the championship rounds! Henderson vs Khabilov! #UFCFightNight — UFC (@ufc) June 8, 2014

Benson really is fighting like a champion! #UFCFightNight

— Bristol Marunde (@BristolMarunde) June 8, 2014

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!! — malki kawa (@malkikawa) June 8, 2014

Nice performance from benson

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) June 8, 2014

JIU-JITSU!!!JIU-JITSU!!!JIU-JITSU!!!JIU-JITSU!!! Congrats @BensonHenderson! — Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) June 8, 2014

Damn!! Nice finish by Ben Henderson!!

— Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) June 8, 2014

Wow. Excellent performance by Bendo, needed that finish to stay in title convo — Brian Stann (@BrianStann) June 8, 2014

Impressive finish from the former champ! #UFCFightNight

— Justin Buchholz (@jbmma155) June 8, 2014

Congrats @BensonHenderson!!! @UFCONFOX @ufc — Kenda Perez (@KendaPerez) June 8, 2014

A little too much, too soon for Khabilov, but I’m still impressed with his skill development.

— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) June 8, 2014

Amazing finish by @BensonHenderson in the @ufc way to go! — Mike Easton (@mikeeastonmma) June 8, 2014

Shout out to my dude @BensonHenderson great @ufc win over a tough opponent..as quick an uppercut/cross/rear-naked combo as ull ever see.

— Stuart Scott (@StuartScott) June 8, 2014

Nice fight @BensonHenderson — Cung Le (@CungLe185) June 8, 2014

UFC Fight Night 42 results: Benson Henderson def. Rustam Khabilov via technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 4, 1:16

— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) June 8, 2014

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 42, check out the UFC Events section of the site.