Patrick Habibora knocked out Benson Henderson just 20 seconds into the main event at PFL Brussels in Belgium. The 25-year-old Habibora remains unbeaten at 9-0 in MMA with eight finishes by KO/TKO. His last three PFL victories have all come in the first round. Henderson, who had pre-fight odds of 11-13 compared to Habibora's 1.04-1.05, suffered his second consecutive loss and first MMA defeat since 2023. The lopsided matchup was designed to build Habibora's profile against a veteran name, with future bouts against PFL champions or UFC competition anticipated.
Patrick Habibora wasted no time announcing himself on the big stage, stopping Benson Henderson just 20 seconds into the main event at PFL Brussels in Belgium on May 23, 2026.
The 25-year-old Habibora improved to a perfect 9-0 in mixed martial arts with the emphatic knockout, extending a finishing streak that now includes eight stoppages by KO or TKO. All three of his most recent PFL victories have come inside the first round, a pattern that has quickly established him as one of the promotion's most dangerous prospects.
Henderson, known as "Smooth," entered the fight as one of MMA's most recognizable veterans. The 42-year-old American, who trains out of MMA Lab, came in standing five-foot-nine with a 70-inch reach and carries a career record of 24-7. A southpaw with 2.4 takedowns per 15 minutes and a disciplined striking game, Henderson has long been respected for his technical ability and durability. The Brussels defeat was his second consecutive loss and his first MMA setback since 2023.
The matchup was structured to elevate Habibora's profile by placing him opposite a known name, and by all accounts it served that purpose in dramatic fashion.
Why it matters
- Habibora's 9-0 record with eight KO/TKO finishes positions him as one of PFL's premier attractions heading into a potential title chase.
- Henderson's back-to-back losses raise questions about his path forward at 42, even as his veteran credentials remain significant on paper.
- The speed of the finish — just 20 seconds — reinforces Habibora's one-punch danger and sets up conversations about matchups with PFL champions or potential UFC-level competition down the line.
