Benson Henderson is an American former professional mixed martial artist, renowned for his time competing in the Lightweight division of Bellator MMA and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Born on November 16, 1983, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Henderson is a former UFC Lightweight Champion and WEC Lightweight Champion.
Here we have Benson Henderson’s net worth, earnings, prize money, career highlights, MMA record, and more.
Benson Henderson’s Biography
| Full Name | Benson Henderson |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 16, 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | 155 lbs (70 kg) |
| Reach | 71 inches (180 cm) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Fighting Out Of | Glendale, Arizona, USA |
| Team | The MMA Lab |
| Rank | Black belt in Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Henderson was raised in Federal Way, Washington, and began training in Taekwondo at the age of nine, influenced by his Korean mother. He later pursued wrestling in high school and college, becoming an NAIA All-American at Dana College.
Professional Career
Benson Henderson began his professional MMA career in 2006. He quickly rose through the ranks, joining World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in 2009.
Henderson captured the WEC Lightweight Championship, defeating Jamie Varner and defending it against Donald Cerrone. His fight with Cerrone was named the 2009 Fight of the Year by Sherdog.
Following the merger of WEC and UFC, Henderson transitioned to the UFC, where he continued his success. He won the UFC Lightweight Championship by defeating Frankie Edgar at UFC 144 and defended the title successfully against Edgar in a rematch, Nate Diaz, and Gilbert Melendez.
His reign was marked by his ability to win close decisions with his versatile fighting style. In 2016, Henderson signed with Bellator MMA, where he competed in both the Lightweight and Welterweight divisions.
Henderson retired in 2023 after a submission loss to Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 292.
Relationship Status
Benson Henderson is married to Maria Magana. The couple got engaged after Henderson’s victory over Gilbert Melendez in 2013 and married a year later. They have four children together.
Benson Henderson’s Net Worth Details
Benson Henderson’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025. His earnings have primarily come from his MMA career, including fight purses and bonuses.
Fight Purse
| Event | Date | Opponent | Result | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEC 38 | Jan 25, 2009 | Anthony Njokuani | Win | $5,000 ($3,000 to show, $2,000 win bonus) |
| WEC 43 | Oct 10, 2009 | Donald Cerrone | Win | $28,000 ($9,000 to show, $9,000 win bonus, $10,000 Fight of the Night bonus) |
| WEC 48 | Apr 24, 2010 | Donald Cerrone | Win | $91,000 ($13,000 to show, $13,000 win bonus, $65,000 Submission of the Night bonus) |
| UFC 144 | Feb 26, 2012 | Frankie Edgar | Win | $143,000 ($39,000 to show, $39,000 win bonus, $65,000 Fight of the Night bonus) |
| UFC on Fox: Henderson vs Melendez | Apr 20, 2013 | Gilbert Melendez | Win | $200,000 ($100,000 to show, $100,000 win bonus) |
| UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs Khabilov | Jun 7, 2014 | Rustam Khabilov | Win | $140,000 ($45,000 to show, $45,000 win bonus, $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus) |
| UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs Thatch | Feb 14, 2015 | Brandon Thatch | Win | $146,000 ($48,000 to show, $48,000 win bonus, $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus) |
| Bellator 292 | Mar 10, 2023 | Usman Nurmagomedov | Loss | $150,000 flat purse |
Net Worth Growth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $500,000 |
| 2022 | $1 million |
| 2023 | $1.5 million |
| 2024 | $2 million |
Endorsements
Benson Henderson has been associated with brands such as Hayabusa and MusclePharm. His reputation and visibility in the MMA community have made him a desirable figure for endorsements.
MMA Records
| Total | 42 |
|---|---|
| Wins | 30 |
| By knockout | 5 |
| By submission | 9 |
| By decision | 16 |
| Losses | 12 |
| By knockout | 2 |
| By submission | 3 |
| By decision | 7 |
FAQs
What is Benson Henderson’s fighting style?
Henderson is known for his Taekwondo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills.
When did Henderson start his professional MMA career?
He began his professional MMA career in 2006.
Who is Henderson married to?
He is married to Maria Magana.
Has Benson Henderson won any UFC titles?
Yes, he was the UFC Lightweight Champion.
What is Henderson’s reach?
His reach is 71 inches.
Where does Henderson train?
He trains at The MMA Lab in Glendale, Arizona.
What is Benson Henderson’s net worth?
His net worth is around $2 million.
How many children does Henderson have?
He has four children.
