UFC Fight Night 59 Donald Cerrone def. Benson Henderson

UFC Fight Night 59’s co-main event saw Donald Cerrone (27-6 MMA, 14-3 UFC) finally defeat Benson Henderson (21-5 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in the third meeting between the top lightweights. After suffering losses to Henderson in 2009 and 2010, Cerrone entered the third bout with “Smooth” as an injury replacement just 15 days after fighting at UFC 182. While it wasn’t his most convincing performance, “Cowboy” walked away with a unanimous decision victory.Maybe it was fitting that Cerrone, and not Henderson, got the somewhat surprising nod from the judges this time, since this was a fight with no shortage of role reversals. While Henderson is usually the one looking for takedowns and his opponents the ones to fend them off, this time it was Cerrone who accounted for the wrestling in the fight, taking Henderson down twice. In another twist, it was Henderson who did the majority of his work with kicks, included some unorthodox attacks to Cerrone’s thighs, as well as some hard shots to the body. All of that added up to a perplexing offense that Cerrone struggled to figure out. When he charged in at Henderson, he often found himself swinging at air. When he hung back and got caught reacting to feints, he ended up on the receiving end of some unpredictable striking.Henderson staying busy with front-leg side kicks, but they're not landing with much. Cerrone responds with a low kick and they clinch. Henderson throws a lead elbow and misses, but makes up for it with a body shot and leg kick. Henderson staying busy with short kicks to Cerrone's lead legs, but isn't landing much else. However, he does score a body shot. Hard double thigh leg kick from Henderson, although he whiffs on a check hook. Solid one-two from Cerrone from a clinch break. Cerrone catches a kick and tries to kick Henderson's post leg out, but he stays on his feet. Hard knee to the body now for Henderson. Good right hook to the body scores for Henderson. He is taken down again by Cerrone, but stands up immediately. Cerrone catches Henderson again charging in with double underhooks, but the former champ wiggles free. The two trade smaller leg kicks. Henderson lands with another flying knee to the body, plus a jab as they separate. The two trade body kicks, but neither of them land.