Over a decade since their first meeting, Anthony Pettis and Benson Henderson fought for a third time in three different promotions and have finally seemed to end their rivalry.
As two of the best lightweights of all time, Pettis and Henderson competed in MMA two times, both for world championships. However, the announcement of their karate fight surprised everyone as Henderson announced his retirement from fighting after his loss to Usman Nurmagomedov in March.
Headlining the biggest fight card in Karate Combat history, Pettis defeated Henderson once more by decision after going into an overtime round. Pettis' power and pressure prevailed by a razor-thin margin as the two fighters went back and forth throughout.
First meeting in 2010, Pettis defeated Henderson by unanimous decision to claim the WEC Lightweight Championship belt. The two would find themselves opposite of each other just three years later, with Pettis winning once again, this time by submission. Pettis would also take a championship off of Henderson in the second fight and became the UFC Lightweight Champion.
Though Henderson left the UFC in 2016, Pettis would remain with the promotion until 2021 when he attempted to win the PFL lightweight tournament. The Milwaukee native would go just 1-4 in the smart cage before venturing into boxing and winning a decision over Roy Jones Jr.
Unlike Henderson, Pettis has not officially retired from MMA, though does not seem likely to return. The Karate Combat 43 main event was the promotional debut of both fighters.
With Pettis now winning his karate debut after a successful professional boxing debut, Twitter had a lot to say about the trilogy fight.
Anthony Pettis vs. Benson Henderson Twitter reactions
Anthony Pettis seems right at home in the Karate Combat pit. This could get VERY fun#KarateCombat43 pic.twitter.com/YcNgIS6cOj
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) December 16, 2023
Anthony Pettis defeats Benson Henderson in Karate Combat going 3-0 against him all time#KC43 pic.twitter.com/f0yv3mCNKc
— MMA Mania (@mmamania) December 16, 2023
Anthony Pettis def. Benson Henderson via unanimous decision after a sudden death round. I thought Bendo edged the fight itself, but if it came down to that 6th round, could have went either way. #KC43 pic.twitter.com/SILDbWAn9s
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) December 16, 2023
After a sudden death round, Anthony Pettis defeats Benson Henderson by unanimous decision going 3-0 in the trilogy!
— Combat Sports Today 📰 (@CSTodayNews) December 16, 2023
Do you agrees with the judges? #KC43 pic.twitter.com/Q0jMC9gBbp
Can we go to R7? #KC43
— RX (@RX_MMA_06) December 16, 2023
What an amazing time with @KarateCombat at KC43 pic.twitter.com/Z9avatQ4K4
— CryptosRus (@CryptosR_Us) December 16, 2023
Awesome night at Karate Combat. Such a fun time out here. Hope yall enjoyed it as much as I did.
— Boogerbeard (@Boogerbeard1) December 16, 2023
PS: WHERE YOU AT @marcgoddard_uk IM COMING FOR YOU
9/13!! Great Event! Great Night!
— kimcĦi.ℏ (@KimchiSauceHBAR) December 16, 2023
Thank you Team @KarateCombat !
and Thank you @BensonHenderson for great fight! you are the best fighter and hero!
GN #HBARbarians ! We so proud!#KarateCombat Built on #Hedera #헤데라 #ヘデラ#SaucerSwap #DEX #HashPack #Wallet$HBAR $SAUCE… https://t.co/H4L7haSeUf pic.twitter.com/Akp6qjuGPB
PFL could learn a lot from Karate Combat. From production, pacing, personalities in attendance, matchups, etc.
— EK (@EdwardsKim) December 16, 2023
KC isn’t perfect but it absolutely feels unique without feeling like a gimmick (could do without Robin Black). Will be tuning into the next show.
Let's have Anthony Pettis and Benson Henderson fight one another in every combat sports discipline. Next up, submission grappling. Then bare-knuckle boxing. After that, why not chessboxing? How about lethwei? Could we do 2-on-2 combat? X-Arm? Knight fights? Pillows? #KC43
— Jay Pettry (@jaypettry) December 16, 2023