UFC Lightweight Champ Benson Henderson headed back to Milw.



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- "Smooth" Benson Henderson is a proud Christian, who claims he can use fighting in a cage to share his beliefs. 29-year-old Henderson is a mixed martial artist, and the current UFC Lightweight Champion, and he will soon be back in Milwaukee.

Henderson was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado to a Korean-American mother and an African-American father.

When Henderson was about 16 years old, his mother insisted that he take Tae Kwon Do lessons with his brother. Both Henderson and his brother attained black belts in Tae Kwon Do.

He attended Decatur High School from 1998 to 2001, where he participated on the wrestling team. Henderson also wrestled in college, at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, where he was twice named NAIA All-American.

Henderson is a proud Christian, and uses his fighting to share his beliefs. He is known to quote scripture after bouts, and walks into each fight to a gospel song.

Henderson was headed for a career as a cop, but got into MMA on a dare. Now, MMA is such a big part of his life, that "Smooth Benson" Henderson proposed to his wife in the octagon after beating Gilbert Malendez.

Henderson has it all going on -- including a chiseled frame, wing tattoos -- popular in the UFC circle and the championship belt. However, Henderson is an introvert by nature -- making living in the limelight something he is still getting used to.

There have been tough times for Henderson, losing a title to Milwaukee's own Anthony Pettis -- victimized by the kick heard round the MMA world. But rising to the top has made everything worth it.

Henderson returns to Milwaukee for the second time, defending his title against T.J. Grant at UFC Harley-Davidson Hometown Throwdown on Saturday, August 31st -- in honor of Harley's 110th anniversary celebration.

Henderson urges fans to flock to the BMO Harris Bradley Center.