13 Days of Bendo: Ben Henderson vs Donald Cerrone 2

Contributor: Connor Dillon

Welcome to the fifth installment of this series leading up to Ben “Smooth” Henderson’s title defense and a rematch against Anthony Pettis at UFC 164. As a Champion for the UFC, he has been one of the most divisive amongst fans; according to many MMA fans and journalists, Ben Henderson is recorded as 1-3 in his last four championship defenses. His razor close decision wins as champion have made many fans dislike him for lack of conclusive endings, as well as beating by dubious decisions fan favorite Frankie Edgar.

My quest for understanding leads me to watch his previous ZUFFA fights, for both the WEC and the UFC, to see where he changed and became the champion he is today. The fifth fight Ben Henderson had under the ZUFFA umbrella happened at WEC 48, a rematch against his WEC nemesis Donald Cerrone. This fight capped off a series of events that happened between a triangle of men, Cerrone, Bendo, and Jamie Varner. It began with a fight that ended in technical decision after an illegal blow from Cerrone caused Varner to be unable to continue. It went to the scorecards and Varner won a decision. The WEC organization attempted to make a rematch, but Varner was not medically cleared and out on injuries. This is where Ben Henderson comes in. They put Cerrone in against Bendo for an interim title and a shot at Jamie Varner for the undisputed WEC Lightweight title. In a FOTY candidate, Ben Henderson beat Donald Cerrone in an unanimous decision, defending multiple submissions and getting constant takedowns. Next up was a unifying title match between Bendo and Varner, where it seemed Varner was on his way to a unanimous decision before getting caught in a guillotine choke by Bendo. Now as the unified, undisputed titleholder, Bendo faced Cerrone in a rematch of their WEC 43 war.

Benson Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone II

Round 1:

The fighters come out and touch gloves. Cerrone with some light teasing. Cerrone fakes a leg kick. Bendo lands a leg kick. Bendo throws a jab-cross combo that just misses. Cerrone comes in for a leg kick and Bendo immediately shoots for a single leg. Cerrone rolls out of it but Bendo presses him against the cage. First he gets double underhooks and throws knees then Cerrone turns around and Bendo has a body lock from the back clinch. More knees to the legs and head of Cerrone. Cerrone turns back around, and just as he does Bendo brings his hands in and trips Cerrone to the ground. Bendo gets some good elbows in and brings his left leg over Cerrone’s shoulder, maybe to get a triangle. Cerrone shrimps and pushes out from under Bendo, ending up on all fours as Bendo turns around and grabs his neck. Bendo brings his legs up and locks in a guillotine on Cerrone. There’s a moment of pushing Bendo’s head back to defend, but it doesn’t help and Cerrone submits to Ben Henderson via guillotine choke at 1:57 of Round 1.

Fighter Thoughts: Bendo’s pressure and takedown game were on point in this fight. He kept it strong on Cerrone, threw good knees in the clinch, and threw and elbow that cause a little hematoma on Cerrone’s forehead. All in all, I think it was a good fight, but Bendo wasn’t tested like he was in the first Cerrone fight, or like he was against Jamie Varner. In the end, it doesn’t matter because Bendo grabbed ahold of that guillotine like there was no tomorrow and ended Cerrone’s night with it. That killer instinct is a good thing.

(Keep checking in daily for more of the 13 Days of Bendo leading up to his title fight with Anthony Pettis!)

-Connor can be reached @connorhavok.