Ben Henderson: I will be the best
On his way to what he believes will be a star turn during Oct. 10’s WEC interim lightweight title matchup…
On his way to what he believes will be a star turn during Oct. 10’s WEC interim lightweight title matchup with old friend Donald Cerrone, Ben Henderson is intent on staying humble.
During the first time he starts referring to himself in third-person in an interview, Henderson abruptly stops, apologizes and gives his permission to offer him a dirty look at any repeat. (It never comes.) At a table in a hotel eatery, he politely answers questions as the minutes tick by, well aware that he has missed his airport shuttle, but never letting on. So when he states his grand intentions, it’s no surprise he qualifies them with tinges of modesty.
“I’m not the fastest, the biggest or the strongest. I’m a mediocre-sized 155-pounder,” he said. “I don’t think I have any God-given abilities that put me above and beyond anyone else. I’m just highly motivated. I want to be the best, and I will be the best. That’s it.”
Things that would sound boastful coming from others somehow leave his mouth disarmed of any ego. He tells you he’s “a bit of a dork,” that he likes to read sci-fi books, that he doesn’t drink, smoke or party. But one thing he can do is fight, and when it comes to his ambition, he is not the least bit bashful. Without hesitation or pretense, he says will be the best fighter in the world. Not in the coversation, but No. 1.
The road starts Saturday night (the event airs on Versus at 10 pm), and it goes through Cerrone. He and Henderson (9-1) have known each for several years, consider each other friends and exchange texts often.
Because Cerrone is known as a Muay Thai specialist and Henderson has a distinguished wrestling background, the fight is being billed as a striker vs. grappler matchup. But Henderson points out that nine of Cerrone’s 10 wins are by submission, and believes the matchup to be well contested in every area.