Anthony Pettis vs. Benson Henderson: A Karate Combat Trilogy Showdown

The thrill of martial arts is set to take center stage as former UFC champions Anthony Pettis and Benson Henderson gear up for a trilogy bout with a twist. In a groundbreaking move, these seasoned fighters will go toe-to-toe under Karate Combat rules, promising an electrifying showdown.

Karate Combat 43 is slated to host this much-anticipated battle on December 15 at the Expo at the World Trade Market in Las Vegas. Pettis and Henderson have both given their verbal consent, and fans are eagerly awaiting this unique face-off.

Anthony Pettis, known for his martial prowess with two prior wins against Henderson, is a black belt in taekwondo. While his recent MMA journey saw him at 1-4 under the PFL banner, he made a striking return in a boxing match against Roy Jones Jr., securing a majority decision win this past April. Pettis boasts an impressive MMA record with victories over notable opponents such as Charles Oliveira, Donald Cerrone, Michael Chiesa, and Stephen Thompson during his UFC tenure.

Benson Henderson, a former UFC and WEC lightweight champion, and also a taekwondo black belt, brings his remarkable achievements to the table. His MMA career, which included victories against fighters like Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, Frankie Edgar, and Cerrone in the UFC, spans 30 wins out of 42 bouts. Henderson recently retired from MMA after challenging Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov in his last appearance.

Excitement surrounds this trilogy bout, especially as it brings Pettis back to his traditional martial arts roots. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying,

"I am the most complete and exciting striker in martial arts, and I will show the world where my expertise in MMA comes from. I want to help grow this sport, and I can't wait to put on a show for this organization. It's Showtime!"

The 170-pound matchup will comprise three rounds, with Karate Combat rules allowing an extra round in the event of a split decision or draw. As Karate Combat officials reveal talks with other former UFC champions like Jose Aldo, Luke Rockhold, and Lyoto Machida, the excitement in the combat sports community is palpable.

The promotion's new president, Asim Zaidi, is making a grand entrance by offering this epic fight for free on YouTube, setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown that promises to showcase the beauty and excitement of martial arts.