Benson Henderson should be breathing a sigh of relief as he learned there was no structural damage to his right elbow from the armbar put on by Anthony Pettis in Saturday night’s UFC 164 main event.
Henderson was clearly in pain, unable to put his arm into his shirt sleeve after the match, where Pettis captured the UFC lightweight title, and made a remark about needing a more potent form of Ibuprofen at the press conference.
But after seeing Dr. Brian Shafer, an elbow specialist in Phoenix, who doubles as a team physician of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he was given news that his elbow was not seriously injured, and there was no structural damage..
“My elbow isn’t going to be an issue,” Henderson said in a statement. “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.”
Henderson (19-3) had been considered one of the best in the MMA world at getting out of submissions. During his career, he had only submitted once in MMA competition, back in 2007 when he was just getting started.
He was going for a record-setting fourth defense of the lightweight title on Saturday in Milwaukee, but was caught in the armbar. As he went to escape, Pettis changed the angle and put the elbow in danger and Henderson verbally submitted.
There is no estimated timetable for when Henderson can next fight.
“I want to thank my hardcore fans for their awesome support, not just in the past week, but throughout my career. I can be better. I will be better,” Henderson said.