Making the leap from scrapping for three rounds and 15 minutes to five rounds and 25 minutes doesn’t always go smoothly, even for the most seasoned UFC veterans.
But for the fourth straight time, lightweight champ Benson Henderson illustrated why he’s the master at prevailing in five-round scraps. He outlanded Gilbert Melendez en route to a narrow split-decision win at UFC on Fox 7.
In the third defense of his belt, Henderson once again proved that getting the upper hand in a tight 25-minute scrap is predicated on hard work and a proper game plan.
Here are the five men who put in the ungodly hours of physical and mental preparation to become the world’s best five-round fighters.