benson henderson This is called career.
In this Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) all in 2:37 to finish off Henderson (30-12 MMA, 7-7 BMMA) and defend his Bellator Lightweight Championship bellator 292,
In the main event of Friday’s event at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, Nurmagomedov submitted Henderson with a rear-naked choke when a question mark loomed over the former UFC champion in the opening seconds.
Henderson recovered from the early knockdown, although he was constantly punished with follow-up punches. Nurmagomedov backed away and worked for the submission. Initially, Henderson defended but after going to the cage, Nurmagomedov used his punches, neck holds, squeezes, and got the tap.
After the fight, Henderson announced his retirement inside the cage in an interview with analyst John McCarthy. Henderson, who had two more fights left on his Bellator contract, said he had told himself before signing the deal that if he lost, he would leave it. On Friday, he fulfilled that promise.
Henderson, 39, ends up with a long resume of high-level accolades. He is a former UFC Lightweight Champion and former WEC Lightweight Champion. Wins include Frankie Edgar, Josh Thomson, Nate Diaz, Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller, Clay Guida, Donald Cerrone and Patricio Friar.
With a win in the bout that served as a Grand Prix quarterfinal, Nurmagomedov advanced to the semifinal round against the winner of the Bellator 295 bout between Mansour Baranoui and Brent Primus in May.
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 292 results include:
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Alexander Shabley def. Taufik Musayev via TKO – Round 3, 0:29
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Linton Vassell def. Valentin Moldavsky via KO (ground-and-pound) – 3:03 of round 1
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Michael Page def. Goiti Yamauchi via KO (leg kick) – 0:26 of Round 1.
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Enrique Barzola def. Eric Perez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
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Josh Hill def. Cass Bell via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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Khalid Murtajaliev def. Tony Johnson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Dovledzhan Yagshimuradov def. Julius Anglicus via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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Laird Anderson def. Rogelio Luna by submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:41.
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Theo Haig def. Adam Wamsley via submission (guillotine choke), 3:01 of Round 1.
For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s Event Hub bellator 292,