Could Benson Henderson have ended prime Tony's streak?

[achoo42]

Prime Bendo could have been one of the worst matchups for Tony. Almost impossible to fluster or finish, never gassed out, and had the ability to wet blanket wrestle.

 

[oski]

"They're all fake belts. To be honest, I think real belt is Tony Ferguson's."
--khagoat

 

[SalvadorAllende]

Prime Henderson 50-45 prime Tony all night long.

Benson was really good and very tough guy. I loved when he made Nate Diaz look like dogshit.

 

[OldBoy91]

Prime Bendo is a hard fight for any lightweight in history. He'd give Tony fits at any stage of his win streak.

 

[puppybird]

Tony was never any good

Shertard logic

 

[Lee Danger]

absolutely.

 

[BabyBlue_Bomber]

I would’ve slightly favored a prime Ferguson…

He was very offensive minded, even on his back, whether it be with strikes or submissions, and I think Ferguson had more tools standing.

 

[achoo42]

Tony was never any good

Shertard logic

How is losing to prime Bendo mean "he was never any good"?

 

[13Seconds]

I don't think so. Bendo was mad talented and athletic but Tony was absolutely championship level. He mopped the floor with RDA and Pettis, two guys who finished Bendo. Not forcing MMA math but the timelines of these fights are close enough to point it out.

I think it would've been a great competitive fight with Tony coming out on top.

 

[Tweak896]

Bendo is severely underrated here, I think he was memory holed after he left UFC.

 

[NoSmilez]

It depends. The gen with Benson was really good. They had Frankie, Maynard and Pettis. RDA had his run too. Even the guys like Miller, Cerrone, Guida etc etc were still fighting at a decent level.

 

[OmegaRugal]

Good fight. Could have gone either way.

 

[TriangleMonkey]

Bendo is low-key one of the best LWs ever

 

[blaseblase]

Through Jesus Christ all things are possible.

 

[560ti]

I don't think so. Bendo was mad talented and athletic but Tony was absolutely championship level. He mopped the floor with RDA and Pettis, two guys who finished Bendo. Not forcing MMA math but the timelines of these fights are close enough to point it out.

I think it would've been a great competitive fight with Tony coming out on top.

Another fight that doesn't get mentioned was Josh Thomson vs Ferguson. Ferguson was the first person in like 10 years to convincingly beat Thomson.

Thomson was no slouch either, the year prior to fighting Tony he took Bendo to a very close split decision even with Josh having a broken arm for most of the fight.

 

[filthybliss]

Prime Bendo could have been one of the worst matchups for Tony. Almost impossible to fluster or finish, never gassed out, and had the ability to wet blanket wrestle.

I doubt it. We saw what El Cucuy could do to guys like RDA and Pettis. His recent wave of losses is really causing people to undermine his career.

 

[puppybird]

Bendo is low-key one of the best LWs ever

Hi- medium key IMO

 

[FreddieRoachsVoice]

Not only that, I think Benson Henderson would have beaten prime Khabib. Seriously, who did Khabib ever beat to convince you that he could manhandle a fellow wrestler like that? Al Iaquinta? LOL When your only elite wins are all strikers, you did not have a very challenging career

 

[13Seconds]

Another fight that doesn't get mentioned was Josh Thomson vs Ferguson. Ferguson was the first person in like 10 years to convincingly beat Thomson.

Thomson was no slouch either, the year prior to fighting Tony he took Bendo to a very close split decision even with Josh having a broken arm for most of the fight.

Yeah Benson vs Thompson was very close. I actually had no idea who would get the decision when it was over.

 

[Mike]

Prime Henderson 50-45 prime Tony all night long.

Benson was really good and very tough guy. I loved when he made Nate Diaz look like dogshit.

I was there live for that one! And very, very drunk lol. Watching BJ and Shogun lose earlier was a bummer.