Bellator 153 results and highlights: Andrey Koreshkov wipes out Benson Henderson

Bellator 153 marked the debut of former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, competing for the Bellator welterweight title against Andrey Koreshkov. Would Henderson become the first ever fighter to win titles in UFC, WEC, and Bellator, or would Koreshkov have a successful first defense of his title? Here’s how the main event and the rest of the card unfolded at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Andrey Koreshkov def. Benson Henderson via unanimous decision (50-45 x3)

Koreshkov had his way with the much smaller Henderson in the opening round. Strong kicks, powerful body shots, and easily evading much of Henderson’s offense. A big flying knee dropped Henderson in the closing seconds and forced him to hold onto a leg, and Bendo survived to see round 2. Koreshkov continued to back Henderson up against the fence and work him over with his striking arsenal, particularly his kicking game. Henderson was forced into bad takedown attempts from too far out, and Koreshkov stuffed them all. Bendo fought back and performed better in the center of the cage, especially with his inside leg kicks. Koreshkov drilled Henderson with another knee as the 2nd ended, right after a cardio-sapping body kick.

Round 3 was another clear Koreshkov round. Henderson was felled by a big left hand and again reactively went for a takedown. Koreskhov sprawled and countered with brutal knees to the body as he let Henderson get back up. The 4th round was more of the same. Henderson had very little in the way of effective offense and he never came close to getting Koreshkov on the bottom. A wicked looping right by Koreshkov sent Henderson to the canvas, again looking for a single leg. Pure domination by the Russian, who was clearly just light years ahead of Henderson as a striker. Round 5 was a formality and Henderson got drilled again with another brutal punch. Koreshkov couldn’t land the kill shot on the notoriously tough Henderson, but he did go for a choke to end the fight. He didn’t get it, but he didn’t need it, because the 25-year-old just systematically destroyed Benson Henderson from start to finish.

This wasn’t competitive. Not even a little. I actually at thought at the end of round 4 that the corner should’ve looked at stopping the fight. Koreshkov was phenomenal and Henderson looked out of …

continue reading in source www.bloodyelbow.com