Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson may still be reeling from the loss of his championship at UFC 164, but he did get some good news on Friday to raise his spirits.
Henderson lost the fight against Anthony Pettis last weekend after the Milwaukee native extended an armbar that wrenched his elbow while the move was being applied.
Following the fight while appearing at the UFC 164 post-fight press conference, Henderson had his arm tucked inside his shirt in obvious pain from the submission. At the time, Henderson was unsure what exactly went wrong, but he knew it was hurting him quite a bit directly after the fight.
This week Henderson visited Dr. Brian Shafer, who specializes in elbow injuries and works as a team physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
According to Dr. Shafer, the former UFC champion suffered no structural damage to his elbow during the submission.
“My elbow isn’t going to be an issue,” Henderson said. “Dr. Shafer said I can resume training immediately, but to take it slow and steady for a couple of weeks and do my rehab work. Of course I am anxious to get going full speed again, but I will be smart and patient about it as well.”
The loss at UFC 164 snapped Henderson’s seven-fight win streak in the UFC, including four title fight victories in a row. It marked his second loss to Pettis after initially losing to him in the final WEC card in 2010 before both fighters transitioned to the UFC in 2011.
Henderson will look to work his way back into contention with his next fight, although there is no specified time table on his return to the Octagon.
For now, the Arizona-based fighter will rest up and then get back into the gym soon to plot his return to the UFC lightweight division. When he returns, Henderson will likely target the top fighters in the weight class as he tries to get back to another title shot as soon as possible.
“I want to thank my hardcore fans for their awesome support, not just in the past week, but throughout my career,” Henderson said. “I can be better. I will be better.”
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, and all quotes were obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted.
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