The recent announcement that Benson Henderson had signed with Bellator MMA shook the foundations of the mixed martial arts scene and now, with a world title opportunity on the horizon, it is clear why “Smooth” has walked straight into a main event slot.
Dubbed one of the biggest free agent moves in mixed martial arts history, Bendo’s move to Bellator has once again seen a well-known UFC fighter make the switch to the competition. However, unlike the Tito Ortiz, Phil Davis, Josh Thomson and others, Henderson’s perennial status at the top of MMA, which included a WEC and UFC Lightweight title run; alongside numerous PPV and FOX headlines, makes Henderson Bellator’s most prolific signing yet.
Bellator looked to immediately capitalise on the momentum of Bendo’s signing, announcing he would challenge Welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 153 on April 22 from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
Although, with Henderson’s high profile ‘transfer’, the controversy stands of him leap frogging the rest of the Welterweight division to grab a title shot. The likes of Douglas Lima, Paul Daley and even Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
This isn’t the first time Bellator fighters have come second best, Ortiz somehow managed to earn a shot at Liam McGeary off the back of a win against Stephan Bonnar. Phil Davis was also handed immediate entry into the Bellator Light-Heavyweight Grand-Prix.
With Daley, the explanation seems simple. As awesome as it would be to see “Semtex” get a much deserved shot at Bellator gold after his scheduled British Invasion fight with Lima fell out, it just doesn’t make sense right now.
Daley is the kind of fighter; with his storied history as a total badass, that could merit a championship opportunity at any time. But with bigger fights to make, such as potential bad-blood, Josh Koscheck rematch or Wanderlei Silva super-fight, I’ll happily take either of those over a fight against Koreshkov.
Elsewhere, with MVP, Bellator have elected to continue his slow build up the 170lb ranks. He’s finishing guys left, right and centre and he is doing it in an entertaining fashion. He is yet to fight a top guy at Welterweight in Bellator and one would hope the London show in July would be a coming out party of sort for Page.
Brazilian Lima, who only held one Bellator loss prior to his defeat to Koreshkov has also yet to get his rematch. After being such a dominant champion for so long, including knockout wins over Ben Saunder, Michail Tsarev and Rick Hawn, there is no question that he deserves an immediate rematch, but with the money signing of Bendo, Lima unfortunately must wait patiently for his return bout.
Bellator MMA have invested a lot of time and money over the past 15-or-so months to put on big tent-pole attractions and the addition of Henderson; who rides a two fight win streak over Brandon Thatch and Jorge Masvidal, allows them once again to capitalise on top dollar shows for Spike TV.
With Henderson saying the monetary benefit of finding sponsors was a big part of him jumping ship, the promotion have no choice but to immediately look for a return on their investment. With a chance that Bendo wins the Welterweight title at Bellator 153, it will allow the Viacom owned brand to completely maximise their investment on the Arizona fighter. And in this modern business of MMA, that has become the most important thing.
