Henderson (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Although Benson Henderson is coming off a clear cut loss at welterweight, and is about to challenge for Bellator’s lightweight title, “Smooth” is still open to fighting at 170.

Henderson will challenge the promotion’s lightweight champ Michael Chandler on Saturday night, in a bout that will headline Bellator 165 in San Jose. The fight comes several months after Henderson was decisioned by now former welterweight champ, Andrey Koreshkov.

Recently Bellator held a media call in advance of Saturday’s card, and when Henderson was asked about the possibility of returning to welterweight, he stated (quote via Bellator press release):

“I wouldn’t say that I think of myself as a lightweight necessarily. For me, it’s 155 lbs. or 170 lbs., just wherever the more interesting and fun matchups are. But, first things first, I have to take care of business on Saturday night.”

The former UFC champion was also asked about his desire to participate in “fun” fights, and the 33 year-old relayed:

“I’m going to go get this belt at 155 lbs., but after that I wouldn’t say that belts offer a whole lot of extra incentive. Obviously belts are great and the meaning behind the belt is that you are the best in the planet and that means a lot to say that you are the best at that weight class, but I don’t fight necessarily just for the belt. You do want the belt, but right now all I’m concentrating on is four days from now and a man named Michael Chandler.”

Most recently, Henderson earned a stoppage win over Patricio Freire in August, who injured his leg in round two and could not continue. Chandler, meanwhile, quickly knocked out Freire’s brother Patricky in his last fight, which took place in June.