The card for PFL Brussels has been released, featuring the return of 42-year-old Benson Henderson after a three-year hiatus. Henderson is coming back specifically for a bout with PFL, and there is curiosity about his compensation for the fight. The former UFC and WEC lightweight champion has been away from competition since his last appearance. The event marks a significant return for the veteran fighter.
Benson Henderson is set to headline PFL Brussels, marking the decorated veteran's return to professional competition after a three-year absence from the sport.
Henderson, known as "Smooth," enters the bout at 42 years old carrying a professional record of 24 wins and 7 losses. The American fighter out of MMA Lab is a former champion in both the UFC and WEC at lightweight, cementing his place among the most accomplished fighters of his generation. Standing five-foot-nine with a 70-inch reach, the southpaw has built his career on a well-rounded game, averaging 2.93 significant strikes landed per minute at 45 percent accuracy, while also threatening consistently on the ground with 2.4 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes over his career.
The PFL Brussels card represents a one-off appearance for Henderson under the PFL banner, and questions have surfaced regarding the financial terms of the agreement that brought the veteran back to competition after such a lengthy layoff.
Why it matters
- Henderson's return puts a recognizable name at the top of a PFL international card, raising the event's profile significantly.
- At 42 and following a three-year absence, questions around his current form will be central to the buildup.
- His multi-dimensional skill set — blending striking volume, wrestling, and submission hunting — makes him a credible headliner regardless of the layoff.
- The bout adds another chapter to one of lightweight history's more decorated careers, with championship pedigree from two major promotions on his resume.
