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ONE Championship Exec Says They Tried to Sign Benson Henderson
ONE Championship executive Loren Mack spoke with MMAjunkie about Benson Henderson’s recent Bellator signing, noting that ONE was a serious contender to land the former UFC fighter. Check out the highlights:
On trying to sign Henderson: “Obviously Asia is our market, and we’re always looking for that type of angle. Henderson, I think the fact he has some Korean roots was certainly of interest to us. We’re looking for the best fighters around the world.”
On the appeal of a fighter like Henderson:“I think there are other appeals as well for a guy like Benson Henderson. Take a look at Brandon Vera, who was doing mediocre things in North America, was fighting at two different weight classes and couldn’t necessarily find his home and which weight class he wanted to be at. ONE Championship picks him up, and the last two fights sold out 20,000 seat areas. He fights for the title in his last fight, is sponsored by Under Armour, sponsored by the best MMA apparel company, Bad Boy, fans screaming for him. He just won the most prestigious title in Asian MMA. His career is on a path it hasn’t been on in a very long time. Fighters like Benson Henderson are looking at that and saying, ‘Hey man, maybe I can go that route as well.’ Ben Askren is another great example. He’s a North American guy but has so much respect in Asia wherever he goes. He’s getting mobbed. … People are looking at that and it’s a really good opportunity.”