Henderson Ends MMA Retirement
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, 42, is ending his MMA retirement to headline the Professional Fighters League event in Brussels. He'll face an unbeaten prospect in the main event, signaling both his enduring passion and the increasing appeal of PFL's global cards.
Benson Henderson's retirement in March 2023 followed a first-round submission loss to the undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 292. The fight was for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship and was part of the promotion's lightweight grand prix. His opponent, Patrick "The Belgian Bomber" Habirora, is an undefeated welterweight prospect with a professional record of 8-0. The 24-year-old from Belgium has earned seven of his eight victories by way of knockout or TKO. The bout against Henderson marks a significant step up in competition for Habirora, whose previous opponents have not had the same level of experience as the former UFC and WEC champion. The fight will take place in Habirora's home country, at the ING Arena in Brussels, on May 23, 2026. Since his MMA retirement, Henderson has remained active in combat sports, competing in Karate Combat, Misfits Boxing, and a freestyle wrestling match. His return to MMA with the PFL aligns with the organization's strategy of global expansion, which includes hosting more international events.
