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MMA

02nd Feb 2016

Former UFC champion Benson Henderson handed a title shot for his Bellator debut

Straight to the top

Gareth Makim

Benson’s getting right down to business.

Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will begin his Bellator career with a title shot, it has been revealed.

The ex-155 king has left the UFC after 14 fights and has signed with the rival promotion on a multi-fight deal that will begin with a challenge for the 170lb belt, currently held by Russian welterweight Andrey Koreshev.

ESPN is reporting that the bout will headline the Bellator 153 event on April 22 in Connecticut.

Henderson has indicated he intends to follow the lead of Conor McGregor and attempt to hold two belts simultaneously, with lightweight champion Will Brooks also in his sights.