No matter how it came about, Benson Henderson’s hand was raised as the winner Friday night in the main event of Bellator 160.
Henderson, a former UFC lightweight champion who lost his Bellator debut earlier this year to welterweight titleholder Andrey Koreshkov, was awarded a second round TKO victory vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire after Freire suffered a broken shin.
Next up for “Smooth” will be Bellator champion Michael Chandler, who sat cage-side for the bout.
The co-main event went to the scorecards, as Derek Anderson defeated Saad Awad, while Georgi Karakhanyan made it 2-for-2 vs. Bubba Jenkins with a knockout in just 54 seconds.
Benson Henderson def. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire via TKO (leg injury) at 2:26 of Round 2
Derek Anderson def. Saad Awad via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Georgi Karakhanyan def. Bubba Jenkins via KO (strike) at :53 of Round 1
A.J. McKee def. Cody Walker via submission (guillotine choke) at :32 of Round 2
Joey Davis def. Keith Cutrone via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Gabriel Green def. Alex Trinidad via TKO (strikes) at 2:01 of Round 2
Andy Murad def. Johnny Cisneros via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jacob Rosales def. Mike Segura via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Chinzo Machida def. Mario Navarro via TKO (strikes) at 2:57 of Round 1
Jake Roberts def. Stephen Martinez via TKO (strikes) at 4:24 of Round 1