Huge star Benson Henderson leaves the UFC to sign for rival promotion Bellator

It's official, Benson Henderson is now a Bellator fighter.

The former UFC lightweight champion (23-5 MMA, 11-3 UFC) announced the news that he had joined the rival promotion on his official website. Henderson has been a free agent since finishing up his UFC contract with a win over Jorge Masvidal in UFC Fight Night 79’s headliner in November. After the fight, he revealed his desire to finish his career in the UFC, but hinted to test the free-agent waters. Seemingly, the Bellator offer was just too good to turn down. The terms of the deal, his debut date and opponent, weren’t disclosed in his statement. However, he won't be short of match ups in the promotion with current lightweight champion Will Brooks quickly running out of challengers and the likes of Michael Chandler in the 155 lb division. If Henderson wishes to continue fighting at welterweight, as he has done in his last two fights, there are even more fantastic fights begging to be booked. The promotion boasts fighters such as Josh Koscheck, Paul Daley, Andrey Koreshkov and Michael Page in their 170 lb division.   https://twitter.com/ScottCoker/status/694237524953149442 The reaction to Henderson making the move to Bellator has been largely positive, while Brooks and Chandler already appear to be eyeing up a fight with the fan favourite. https://twitter.com/joerogan/status/694240252530003969 https://twitter.com/Jon_Anik/status/694232345155514368 https://twitter.com/FunkMaster_UFC/status/694229850727514112 https://twitter.com/FunkMaster_UFC/status/694231904351080448 https://twitter.com/TimKennedyMMA/status/694285682760548352 https://twitter.com/KelvinGastelum/status/694261328429494272 https://twitter.com/MikeChandlerMMA/status/694240891557384192 https://twitter.com/illwillbrooks86/status/694236663279685633 https://twitter.com/illwillbrooks86/status/694256833117159424