Benson Henderson Aiming To Return At Nov. 28 UFC From South Korea

Out of action since his thrilling UFC Fight Night 61 submission win against Brandon Thatch, former lightweight champion Benson Henderson is reportedly close to being cleared to resume training.

Henderson has been on the sidelines nursing a vague injury, which he described as “in the area of his eye,” but he has declined to describe the true nature of publicly. The tough and experienced ‘Smooth’ was briefly linked to a potentially vital lightweight showdown with No. 6-ranked Michael ‘The Menace’ Johnson at June’s The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 21 Finale, but that bout fell apart when Henderson was forced to the sidelines to recover from the injury.

He’s now nearing a return, and according to a report from Ariel Helwani on last nights (Wed., July 29, 2015) UFC Tonight, when he gets back into top shape, he’s aiming to return as part of the headliner at November 28’s UFC Fight Night card from Seoul, South Korea.

Henderson has a well-documented respect of his own Korean heritage. His mother is Korean, and he’s a black-belt level practitioner of taekwondo. ‘Smooth’ made a trip to his homeland after he won the lightweight belt from Frankie Edgar in early 2012, receiving a rousing ovation.

Henderson also revealed that he would be permanently moving up to welterweight after moonlighting at 170 pounds against Thatch, but he clarified to MMAFighting.com this week that he would accept a bout at welterweight or lightweight as long as it’s a high-profile one. He’s recently lost to three of the top four competitors in the lightweight division in Rafael dos Anjos, Anthony Pettis, and Donald Cerrone, however, so a return to welterweight could be the best idea for him to reinvent his career when healthy.

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