Ex-UFC champs Benson Henderson, Anthony Pettis set to headline Karate Combat 43
Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis are headed to Karate Combat.
The two former UFC lightweight champions will meet for a third time in combat sports in the main event of Karate Combat 43 on Dec. 15 at the Expo at World Trade Market in Las Vegas. They will compete in a 170-pound contest.
The news was confirmed by the promotion on Tuesday following an initial report by MMA Fighting.
Henderson and Pettis have fought twice before under MMA rules.
The first time they met was in 2010 at WEC 53, where Pettis defeated Henderson in an all-out war to win the promotion’s lightweight title. It was also the birth of Pettis’ famous “Showtime kick.” The second time was three years later in 2013 at UFC 164. That night, Pettis submitted Henderson with an armbar to crown himself UFC lightweight champion.
Pettis was recently seen fighting in MMA under the PFL banner. He signed with the promotion in 2021 and fought for them five times, going 1-4. The 36-year-old last fought in August 2022, losing a decision to former UFC fighter Stevie Ray.
Meanwhile, Henderson retired from MMA in March after losing by first-round submission to Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title. Prior to that, he was on a two-fight winning streak.
