Henderson takes the split-decision over Masvidal in UFC Fight Night Seoul

By Nam Hyun-woo

Benson Henderson overcame Jorge Masvidal in a 2-1 split-decision in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night Seoul, Saturday, after hard fought fight full of grappling.

It was the main event of the evening and the two fighters put on a technical battle, while Henderson was more successful in the first-ever live UFC event in Korea, which is his mother’s country.

“It was a great pleasure to fight in Korea,” said Henderson. “Was it impressive enough?” he asked the crowd.

Both fighters were careful in the first three rounds, feeling each other out. Checking angles and distances, each fighter tested the other, trying to land two and three punch combinations.

First to take control was Henderson. With two minutes left in the round, he knocked Masvidal down, but couldn’t finish the combination as Masvidal escaped the punches.

After wrestling back-and-forth in the second and third rounds, each fighter looked for the other’s weaknesses. Still, it was anybody’s fight.

Neither fighter could break the stalemate in the fourth round. Henderson managed a takedown, but was not able to finish the move or to connect with more punches, and Masvidal continued strongly.

Henderson still looked in good condition, even in the fifth round, attempting a flying knee-kick and executing some high energy moves. Masvidal did not hesitate, either, wrestling him on the mat.

The fighters continued to the end with a lively fight, only to see the fight finish with a split-decision.