Benson Henderson best exemplifies the verse from Psalm 118, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone.” In plain language, The Ultimate Fighter reject is now the Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight champion.
Upon finding out that Bendo’s TUF 9 audition tape was thrown in the dustbin of MMA history three years ago, MMA Fighting’s Shaun Al-Shatti shared in his article the following words of wisdom and wonder:
…the show is still as hit-or-miss as they come. Since 2009, just 21 of the 75 contestants presently hold a UFC contract, good for a lowly 28-percent success rate (not counting TUF 14).
So you’re telling me, in a season that produced just three of those 21 names, former WEC champ and new UFC lightweight champ Ben Henderson couldn’t make the cut? That seems baffling.
Well, that’s just the way it is. As the Beauty and the Beast song goes, it’s a “Tale as old as time.”
So to all budding MMA fighters out there who undergo disappointments and frustrations in pursuit of that Octagon-framed dream, hearken to lesson numero uno, “Do not lose faith; the next Bendo could be you.”
Still, faith must be balanced and tempered by, to borrow from Karl Marx, “material basis.”
Train that flesh and bone hard and also know its limits.
To illustrate, when your 30-year-old last born son comes up to you and proudly announces, “Dad, I’m a father now!” you know your future in MMA is not too bright or too long.
Unless the UFC introduces a master’s division or you’re really intent on doing Randy Couture one better, then, by all means, go ahead.
Also, although the Good Book says that, “Faith can move mountains,” it can’t be interpreted literally.
I don’t remember any historical instance when faith alone moved a mountain, even a molehill.
They’ve always used bulldozers and stuff.
So, lesson numero dos is, “Train hard and use the right tools.”
And don’t forget to thank Bendo for being such a wonderful inspiration, firing up your MMA pipe dream even more. No, let’s just call it “dream,” my apologies.
And to Dana White and company regarding that TUF 9 lapse in judgment, “Way to go, Dana! But big thanks, too, for giving Bendo the title shot last UFC 144.”
Now all is forgiven.
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