Nurmagomedov vs Henderson

Who won Nurmagomedov vs Henderson?

Usman Nurmagomedov beat Benson Henderson by submission in the 1st round during the main event of Bellator 292, on Friday 10th March 2023 at SAP Center in San Jose.

The fight was scheduled to take place over 5 rounds in the Lightweight division, which meant the weight limit was 155 pounds (11.1 stone or 70.3 KG).

This contest was for the Bellator Lightweight championship.

Nurmagomedov vs Henderson stats

Usman Nurmagomedov stepped into the octagon with an undefeated record of 16 wins, zero losses and 0 draws, 8 of those wins coming by the way of knock out and 5 by submission.

Benson Henderson made his way to the cage with a record of 30 wins, 11 losses and 0 draws, 5 of those wins coming by knock out and 9 by submission.

Usman Nurmagomedov's Bellator record stood at 7-0-0, while Benson Henderson's came in at 7-7-0.

The stats suggested Nurmagomedov had a massive power advantage over Henderson, boasting a 50% knock out percentage over Henderson's 17%.

If the fight went to the ground, their records suggested Nurmagomedov had a slight advantage over Henderson, with a 31% submission rate over Henderson's 30%.

Usman Nurmagomedov was the younger man by 14 years, at 26 years old.

Nurmagomedov had a height advantage of 2 inches over Henderson. That also extended to a 1-inch reach advantage.

Nurmagomedov was the less experienced professional fighter, having had 25 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2017, 10 years and 4 months later than Henderson, whose first professional fight was in 2006. He had fought 91 less professional rounds, 33 to Henderson's 124.

Nurmagomedov vs Henderson form

Nurmagomedov remained undefeated as a professional, stopping 1 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight before this contest, he had won against Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 288 on 18th November 2022 by unanimous decision in their Bellator Lightweight championship fight at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, United States.

Previous to that, he had beaten Chris Gonzalez at Bellator MMA on 22nd July 2022 by submission in the 1st round at Emerald Queen Casino and Hotel, Tacoma.

Going into that contest, he had defeated Patrik Pietila at Bellator MMA on 23rd October 2021 by submission in the 1st round at VTB Arena, Moscow, Russia.

Before that, he was victorious against Manny Muro at Bellator 263 on 31st July 2021 by knockout in the 1st round at The Forum, Inglewood, United States.

He had won against Mike Hamel at Bellator 255 on 2nd April 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.

Benson Henderson had beaten 2 of his last 5 opponents.

In his last fight leading up to this contest, he had lost to Brent Primus at Bellator 266 on 16th October 2021 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Footprint Center, Phoenix, United States.

Previous to that, he had been beaten by Jason Jackson at Bellator 253 on 19th November 2020 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.

Going into that contest, he had been defeated by Michael Chandler at Bellator 243 on 7th August 2020 by knockout in the 1st round at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville.

Before that, he had beaten Myles Jury at Bellator 227 on 27th September 2019 by unanimous decision in their 3 round contest at 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland.

He had defeated Adam Piccolotti at Bellator 220 on 27th April 2019 by split decision in their 3 round contest at SAP Center, San Jose, United States.

Activity check

In terms of activity leading into the fight, Usman Nurmagomedov had been fighting more than Benson Henderson.

Going to this contest, Usman Nurmagomedov had last fought 1 year, 9 months and 16 days ago, while Benson Henderson's last outing had been 2 years, 10 months and 18 days ago.

Nurmagomedov's last 5 fights had come over a period of 3 years, 5 months and 1 day, meaning he had been fighting on average every 8 months and 7 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 rounds on average.

Henderson's last 5 fights had come over a period of 5 years, 4 months and 7 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 1 year and 26 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 13 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.6 rounds on average.

What were the odds on Nurmagomedov vs Henderson?

Usman Nurmagomedov was a 1/25 (-2500) favourite going into the contest, while Benson Henderson made his way into the ring at 17/2 (+850) with oddsmakers.