Benson Henderson Returns at PFL
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson (30-12 overall, 11-3 in UFC with three title defenses from 2012-2013) will face rising Belgian prospect Patrick Habirora in the main event of PFL Brussels on May 23. This marks a significant step up in competition for Habirora against the seasoned veteran. Henderson held the UFC lightweight title for over a year during his prime.
This fight marks Benson Henderson's official return from retirement, which he announced in March 2023 after a first-round submission loss to Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 292. Since that fight, the 42-year-old has remained active in combat sports, competing in Misfits Boxing, Karate Combat, and a Real American Freestyle Wrestling match in February. His opponent, Patrick "The Belgian Bomber" Habirora, is an undefeated prospect with a professional record of 8-0. A specialist in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Habirora has shown formidable striking power, with seven of his eight professional victories coming by way of knockout. This bout will be a significant step up in competition for the 24-year-old. The event will take place at the ING Arena in Brussels, giving Habirora a home-country advantage. He has already had success in the PFL, headlining a PFL Europe event in Brussels in July 2025 where he defeated UFC veteran Danny Roberts by first-round TKO. Before his time in Bellator, where he had a mixed record of 7-7, Henderson was a dominant force in the UFC's lightweight division. He holds notable victories over fighters such as Nate Diaz, Frankie Edgar (twice), and Jorge Masvidal. His three successful title defenses are tied for the second-most in the history of the UFC's lightweight division.
