Benson Henderson Signs New Contract with the UFC

Malki Kawa, manager of UFC lightweight champ Benson Henderson, has announced that Henderson has inked a new eight-fight deal with the promotion. While Kawa wouldn’t discuss the details of the contract, he insists that its a fair deal and the Henderson stands to make a lot of money.

Now that the ink is dry, what’s next for the defending champion? The UFC has yet to decide on specifically who Henderson will be fighting in his next defense, but Kawa says “Bendo” would like to get in the Octagon with Gilbert Melendez.

Kawa told MMAJunkie:

“Right now we’re just happy to have this contract done, and we’re going to sit back and hope that this is the fight they give us. It’s the top two lightweight fighters in the world at this point. It needs to happen.”

“We really like the Gilbert Melendez fight, and I’ll tell you why: Gilbert Melendez has been ranked either No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 between himself, Frankie Edgar and Benson. Frankie was considered No. 1 in the world, and Benson beat him. Now some people are saying Gilbert might be No. 1 in the world. OK, well Benson would like to beat him, too, and leave no doubt that he is the best 155-pounder in the world. … Beating Gilbert would prove that Benson is absolutely the best lightweight in MMA.”

Photo Credit: UFC