Ben henderson He is a former UFC lightweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
MMA veteran, Ben henderson will have his second opportunity to expand his legacy in the sport. This Friday (10), the former UFC champion will compete for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg) at Bellator 292 against the holder of the throne, Usman Nurmagomedov. In the show, 'Menino Lobo' will have the second opportunity to take on the title since his debut with the company.
If you win 'gold' at Bellator 292, Ben henderson will make history. If he beats Khabib's undefeated cousin, the American will be added to the list of athletes who left Ultimate to win a title in a competing company.
To refresh your memory, the team at SUPER FIGHTS selected names that passed through the UFC and had success in other organizations. Check it out below:
Chris Cyborg
C. Cyborg is the current Bellator featherweight champion (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram)
Considered by many to be the best MMA fighter of all time, Chris Cyborg carries an emblematic mark on his career. Known for her aggressiveness in the cage, the Curitiba native represented Ultimate between 2016 and 2019, eventually wearing the featherweight belt (up to 65,7kg).
After friction with the president of Ultimate, Dana White, and failures in the attempt to renew her contract, the Brazilian migrated to Bellator, debuting in 2020, winning the belt, also in the featherweight division. Since then, Cyborg has accumulated six title defenses, and continues his hegemony in the organization.
In addition to UFC and Bellator titles, Cris holds a unique record in women's MMA. The fighter is the only one to win the 'Grand Slam' in the sport, adding belts in Strikeforce and Invicta.
Larissa pacheco
Larissa pacheco She is the PFL lightweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Current PFL champion in lightweight (up to 70,3kg.), Larissa pacheco is another fighter who had a stint in Ultimate. For the company chaired by Dana White, the Brazilian had two commitments, in 2014 and 2015, but ended up being surpassed on both occasions.
In 2019, Pacheco debuted in the Professional Fighters League, and 'hit the post' twice in an attempt to win the tournament that season, and in 2021. In 2022, however, the Tupiniquim shocked the world by beating, in the final, the, until then, 'unsurpassed' Kayla harrison.
Antonio Shoe Guy
Shoe Face poses with PFL light heavyweight belt. Photo:/Instagram @caradesapato
Champion in the 'The Ultimate Fighter' (TUF) Brazil 3, Antonio Shoe Guy he was treated as Brazilian hope in the middleweight (up to 83,9kg) of Ultimate. Sharp in jiu-jitsu, the athlete reached a prominent position in the division. However, between 2019 and 2021, the fighter ended up suffering three consecutive defeats and subsequently left the company.
Outside of the UFC, Shoe Face signed a contract with the PFL and, in his debut season, shone as a reference in the light heavyweight tournament (up to 93kg.). In four challenges in 2021, the athlete beat three opponents and recorded a 'no contest'. At the end of the championship, the athlete had his consecration, wearing the category title after overcoming Martin Hamlet.
Sergio Pettis
Pettis is the underdog to defend his belt at Bellator 272. Photo: Reproduction / Bellator
Brother of the iconic Anthony Pettis, Sergio Pettis has been treated as a UFC bet since his debut with the company. Representative of flyweight (up to 56,7kg), the athlete, however, did not find stability in Ultimate, alternating between victories and defeats.
Noticing the talent in Pettis, Scott Coker and his team decided to invest and signed the fighter. In the company, the fighter acted as a bantamweight (up to 61,2kg) and, after two convincing victories, faced Juan Archuleta for the group's throne, winning the same via decision. So far, the American has defended his belt.
Ryan bader
R. Bader is Bellator heavyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook bellatormma
Former UFC light heavyweight standout, Ryan bader is another name that shines in the circular cage. Winner of TUF 8, the North American donned the Ultimate gloves between 2009 and 2016. For the company, the athlete faced names like Jon Jones, Glover Teixeira, Lyoto Machida, Quinton jackson, Tito Ortiz, Anthony Johnson e Rashad evans.
After leaving the company chaired by Dana White, Bader was hired as Bellator's big bet. Right on his debut, in 2017, the athlete measured forces against Phil Davis, another former UFC representative. In a fight marked by balance, Ryan won the organization's light heavyweight title.
In the company, Bader was also successful in winning the heavyweight tournament (up to 120,2kg.) 2019 and, to this day, reigns in the division.
Rob Wilkinson
Rob Wilkinson after winning the PFL light heavyweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Current PFL light heavyweight champion, Rob Wilkinson has also donned the Ultimate gloves. Today, at the top of the competitor's division, the fighter had a discreet stint in the UFC, adding setbacks in the two commitments he played.
One of Wilkinson's executioners was Israel adesanya. Against the Nigerian, in 2018, the athlete ended up severely brutalized, suffering the setback that resulted in his departure from the company.
Kyoji Horiguchi
Kyoji Horiguchi poses with Rizin's belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
A former UFC fighter in the bantamweight division, Japanese Kyoji Horiguchi is treated by many as an unfair athlete in his career in the UFC. For the organization chaired by Dana White, the flyweight (up to 56,7 kg.) fought eight matches, being surpassed in just one opportunity, precisely in the title fight against the legendary Demetrious JohnsonIn 2015.
After leaving the UFC, Horiguchi moved to Rizin, winning the company's bantamweight title in 2017. In 2019, the Japanese debuted in Bellator and, upon his debut, wore the bantamweight belt. Due to constant injuries, the fighter ended up giving up the title.
Liz carmouche
Liz Carmouche is the current Bellator flyweight champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
MMA veteran, Liz Carmouche is on the list of victims of Ronda Rousey in Ultimate. In 2013, the North American debuted in the UFC and, right away, faced off against the female MMA icon. In the fight, the combatant ended up submitting in the first round. In 2019, at flyweight, the athlete sought the group's belt, but was surpassed by the champion of the time, Valentina Shevchenko.
After the stumble against the Kyrgyzstani, Carmouche migrated to Bellator, debuting with victory in the company in 2020. Two years later, Liz would fight for the flyweight belt against Brazilian Juliana Velasquez and, finally, win the company's title. In an immediate rematch, the North American came out on top again, submitting the Tupiniquim in the second round.
Demetrious Johnson
Demetrious Johnson poses with ONE belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
One of the best flyweight representatives of all time, Demetrious Johnson still holds the record for most title defenses in the UFC (11). Involved in a trade with ONE Championship, the fighter migrated to the Asian company and tried to repeat his past achievements.
At ONE, the North American won the flyweight title in his debut season, in 2019. The fighter ended up losing the throne in his first defense, in 2021, when he was knocked out by the Brazilian Adriano Moraes. In the immediate rematch, in 2022, better for the former Ultimate, who returned the knockout suffered the previous year and resumed the top of the category.
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