Ben Henderson On Josh Thomson: I’m Gonna Beat Him Up Real Bad
Former UFC and WEC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson has been reserved since his humbling loss to Anthony Pettis at UFC 164. Not really the type for lengthy interviews or trash talk, Bendo has gone back to the gym with a renewed sense of dedication, so perhaps his submission loss against ‘Showtime’ will prove to be the making of a new fighter.
Until that night in Milwaukee, ‘Smooth’ had edged his way through decisions against Frankie Edgar and Gilbert Melendez whilst defending his UFC strap. The first win against Edgar that earned him the title was just as controversial as the rematch. Time moves quickly at the top, and Bendo finds himself in a contender match with Josh Thomson in January at UFC on Fox 10.
‘Smooth’ talked to UFC.com about his upcoming scrap:
“Sadly, and I’m probably not the best sound bite here, but it’s the same as always and just another fight,” Henderson said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s your first fight in the UFC, your first fight on a main card, or the main event; ultimately it doesn’t matter.”
“ People ask how I’ll come back. I’ve had two losses in the past seven years and people are wondering how I’ll come back. A fight is a fight. I’m going to come into this fight prepared and show out like I always do. I’m always 100 percent prepared and 100 percent ready. I’m going to train like I always do and I’ll come in ready like always.”
Henderson has always been a solid, top level fighter since his early WEC days and I’m happy to see that a fire has been lit under him. He needed a change in his approach to fighting and maybe we will see a new version of him against Thomson.
“I think this is a great matchup stylistically,” Henderson said. “You are going to see both of us going hard. I can and have gone 25 minutes and so has he. We’ve both gone all-out for five rounds at a high pace. I’m not talking about a slow 25 minutes like we sometimes see with heavyweights where they just lean on one another; I’m talking about a non-stop, fast-paced 25 minute fight where both guys are getting after it.”
Thomson is certainly a threat for Bendo come fight night; his TKO win over Nate Diaz in April was a statement that all 155ers heard loud and clear. The former Strikeforce Lightweight boss could well start the decline of Henderson’s storied career if he goes out and puts ‘Smooth’ away early.
“I want to get back to keeping it simple because those things don’t matter. To me, it’s all inconsequential. I put my focus on the next guy up and that’s Josh Thomson and I’m gonna go beat him up bad.”
Lets see if Henderson can live up to his word this time, or if Thomson will spoil the party with his motivation to capture UFC stardom.
