Benson Henderson
and
Anthony Pettis
are set to participate in Karate Combat.
The two former UFC lightweight champions will face each other for the third time in combat sports. The highly-anticipated event, Karate Combat 43, is scheduled for Dec. 15 at the Expo at World Trade Market in Las Vegas. Henderson and Pettis will go head-to-head in a 170-pound contest.
The announcement was made by the promotion on Tuesday, shortly after the initial report by
MMA Fighting
.
Henderson and Pettis have previously faced each other in MMA matches. Their first encounter took place at WEC 53 in 2010, where Pettis emerged victorious in a thrilling battle to claim the lightweight title. It was during this fight that Pettis showcased his famous “Showtime kick.” The second bout occurred in 2013 at UFC 164, with Pettis securing a win by submitting Henderson with an armbar and becoming the UFC lightweight champion.
In recent times, Pettis competed in MMA under the PFL banner. Having joined the promotion in 2021, he fought in five matches and obtained a record of 1-4. The 36-year-old’s most recent fight was in August 2022, where he suffered a decision defeat against former UFC fighter Stevie Ray.
Meanwhile, Henderson announced his retirement from MMA in March after a first-round submission loss to Usman Nurmagomedov in his bid for the Bellator lightweight title. Prior to that, he was on a two-fight winning streak.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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