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.

This was Usman Nurmagomedov's 8th fight in Bellator, having made his debut for the promotion in 2021.

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 27 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 81 less professional rounds, 43 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.

Activity check

Nurmagomedov's last 5 fights had come over a period of 4 years, 1 month and 28 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 9 months and 30 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 11 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.2 rounds on average.

Henderson's last 3 fights had come over a period of 7 years, 1 month and 24 days, meaning he had been fighting on average every 2 years, 4 months and 19 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 8 rounds, meaning that they had lasted 2.7 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.