Benson Henderson Says His Job is To Beat People Up, Not to Call Them Out

Benson Henderson isn't one to shy away from a challenge. In fact, he welcomes it.

The 155-pound champion has had a proverbial target on his back since relinquishing the title from Frankie Edgar at UFC 144.

Seemingly unfazed by the amount competition, Henderson is content on facing the best fighters possible, while hopeful to remain the divisional champion for the foreseeable future.

And he doesn't need to look far for motivation.

“In my eyes, I don’t really see myself as one of those prima donna wide receivers: ‘I want this, and this has gotta happen.’ I represent the UFC," Henderson told UFC.com.

"My job is not to match myself up and call this guy or that guy out. I’m not gonna go on Twitter and make my own match. Some guys are into that and that’s the way they want to pursue their career, and they can go right ahead. My job is to beat people up.”

Henderson's humble attitude towards the sport is an essential part of what has kept him grounded as a person. Sporting a 16-2 professional record and a lightweight title, gives Henderson the recognition as one of the premier athletes in the UFC today. 

While some might confuse his demeanor for arrogance at times, Henderson assures he is only confident in his abilities, striving to prove his worth in the talented lightweight division. And he said it's a characteristic every fighter should have, or at least try to employ.

"It’s not me looking ahead and being cocky all of a sudden like, oh, I beat Frankie Edgar and now all of a sudden I’m gonna smash everybody. I was saying this from the beginning," he said. "I’m a very confident fighter and all fighters are, or they should be. I want to fight everybody on the roster at 155, I want to beat ‘em all, and I want to have a nice long reign at 155."

"I want to make 155 my weight class and I want my name to be synonymous with it," he concluded.