Benson Henderson: I get so many calls from UFC fighters asking for advice

Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson says his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since leaving the UFC to sign with Bellator.

On Monday, it was announced that Zuffa veteran Benson Henderson, who won titles in both the WEC and the UFC, was leaving MMA’s premiere promotion to sign with Bellator. The news came as a relative shock to many, despite the former lightweight champion hinting at a departure from the UFC after his win over Jorge Masvidal in November.

And, since making the switch, Bendo says his phone has been bombarded with texts and phone calls from UFC fighters asking for advice. The 32-year-old spoke to MMA Junkie about it on Thursday.

“I can’t even say how many texts and calls from other fighters asking me, ‘What did the UFC bring to the table? What did Bellator bring to the table? How did they treat you? Was (UFC Chairman) Lorenzo (Fertitta) mad? Did Dana get all mad?'” Henderson said. “A ton of fighters hit me up and asked me that and asked for advice.”

Henderson isn’t the only former UFC fighter to join Scott Coker; Quinton “Rampage” Jackson signed with Bellator in 2013 — at the time headed by Bjorn Rebney — but returned to Zuffa last year. Light heavyweight juggernaut Phil Davis also made the move to Bellator and is now the promotion’s LHW champion.

Henderson, who captured UFC gold after defeating Frankie Edgar in 2012, is booked for an immediate shot at the Bellator welterweight title against Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 153 on April 23rd. The 32-year-old is undefeated at welterweight and will look to add another feather to his cap by becoming a three-promotion world champion.

Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson says his phone hasn’t stopped ringing since leaving the UFC to sign with Bellator.

On Monday, it was announced that Zuffa veteran Benson Henderson, who won titles in both the WEC and the UFC, was leaving MMA’s premiere promotion to sign with Bellator. The news came as a relative shock to many, despite the former lightweight champion hinting at a departure from the UFC after his win over Jorge Masvidal in November.

And, since making the switch, Bendo says his phone has been bombarded with texts and phone calls from UFC fighters asking for advice. The 32-year-old spoke to MMA Junkie about it on Thursday.

“I can’t even say how many texts and calls from other fighters asking me, ‘What did the UFC bring to the table? What did Bellator bring to the table? How did they treat you? Was (UFC Chairman) Lorenzo (Fertitta) mad? Did Dana get all mad?'” Henderson said. “A ton of fighters hit me up and asked me that and asked for advice.”

Henderson isn’t the only former UFC fighter to join Scott Coker; Quinton “Rampage” Jackson signed with Bellator in 2013 — at the time headed by Bjorn Rebney — but returned to Zuffa last year. Light heavyweight juggernaut Phil Davis also made the move to Bellator and is now the promotion’s LHW champion.

Henderson, who captured UFC gold after defeating Frankie Edgar in 2012, is booked for an immediate shot at the Bellator welterweight title against Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 153 on April 23rd. The 32-year-old is undefeated at welterweight and will look to add another feather to his cap by becoming a three-promotion world champion.