Benson Henderson submitting Brandon Thatch (photo via FOX Sports / UFC)

By FCF Staff

Not only did Benson Henderson do the UFC a big favour by agreeing to move up on short notice to fight Brandon Thatch, but the decorated fighter went out and defeated one of the promotion’s most promising welterweights.

Heading into UFC FN 60, Thatch had won ten straight fights and had scored first round wins over Paulo Thiago and Justin Edwards since joining the UFC. Henderson’s abilities and skills are well documented, but it remained to be seen if “Smooth” would be able to overcome the size and explosiveness of Thatch.

Well,  it looked like Henderson absorbed some punishing shots during the fight, but in round four, he took Thatch to the mat and finished the bout with a rear-naked-choke.

While speaking to FOX Sports Live afterwards, UFC President Dana White had nothing but praise for the former lightweight champ (quote via FOX Sports):

“I’m so blown away with Benson Henderson. This size difference was insane. Henderson picked him apart from the first round. What’s crazy coming out of the third round, both of Thatch’s eyes were closing. But Benson didn’t even look like he was in a fight. He’s so tough and so talented, I’m so impressed.”

Immediately after the memorable bout, Henderson relayed he’d be willing to fight top welterweight contender Rory MacDonald, who currently isn’t booked for a fight. When asked about Henderson’s request, White stated:

“After what he did tonight, who can deny him at 170 pounds?”

Henderson was coming off a tightly contested, some say controversial, decision loss to lightweight contender Donald Cerrone heading into last night’s bout. With the win, Henderson improved his overall record to 22-5.

UFC Fight Night 60 was hosted by the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado.