Benson Henderson Moving Up To Welterweight

Former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson was last seen getting knocked out by Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Fight Night 49 from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The loss, which was his second stoppage defeat in his last four fights, left “Smooth” wondering just where his career was headed. After all, he’d already lost twice to current UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, and even though he is still ranked at No. 4 in the crowded 155-pound scene, his upward mobility was extremely limited as long as “Showtime” is still champion.

The loss to the surging dos Anjos obviously didn’t help his path either, and with a number of talented up-and-comers set to vie for the coveted belt in 2015, Henderson is sort of left out in the cold.

Because of that dynamic, “Smooth” is considering a move up to 170 pounds. News just broke on UFC Tonight that Henderson is planning one more fight at lightweight and will then move up to welterweight in order to take on the murderer’s row of dangerous challengers there:

Benson Henderson wants 1 more fight at lightweight before moving up to welterweight and trying to make a run at the belt.

— UFC Tonight (@UFCTonight) September 25, 2014

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard this from Henderson, as he teased moving up to 170 pounds in order to face off with longtime former welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. He’s known to cut a lot of weight in order to make the lightweight division’s 155-pound weight limit, so perhaps he would benefit from having to lose less during fight week.

He’s undoubtedly one of the biggest and strongest lightweights in the UFC, but he may be just average if he makes his way to welterweight. Still, it’s a solid gameplan for Henderson, whose disappointing downfalls have left him in lightweight purgatory.

Reinventing himself at welterweight could be just what Henderson needs to make another title run, but of course he’d lose his noticeable size and strength advantage.

With the dangers of weight cutting becoming more and more prevalent in MMA, it’s good to see one fighter stop depleting his body, even if it is for a completely different reason.

Will cutting less weight help Henderson find success in a new division, or will the crowded welterweight arena swallow him up upon arrival?