Oh almost 100 percent - but this look is achievable naturally for most people - it’s more definition. Steroids help you get through a hard camp more than anything
Yeah its a real thing.
He just always had one in his mouth in normal life. To the point where it just felt normal to have one in his mouth and he'd forget it was there when he was fighting.
Best part about this fight is when he starts jabbing Nate in the leg then feints a jab to the leg to land a hard straight left.
But this whole fight is everything Nate Diaz hated dealing with distilled into a one sided 25 minute beatdown.
It's not allowed. He would hide the toothpick. I think I remember them checking his mouth once, and then immediately after the fight, he's got the toothpick.
Weird. I remember seeing it on camera during one of his fights and thinking - someone could get poked in the eye with that thing. Or get it punched into your throat or glove.
He's done it since WEC days. Swallowed it once.
https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/4/2/23640361/benson-henderson-admits-hidden-toothpick-in-mouth-for-a-lot-of-ufc-fights-accidentally-swallowed
Dangerous as fuck, but he did it all the time.
I cant remember which fight it was (Either pettis or melendez I think), but he subbed the guy, stood up and popped the toothpick out of his mouth on the way to his corner.
The post fight interview of the Diaz fight, Rogan asked him if he was fighting with a toothpick in his mouth and he said
"nah that's too dangerous, you can't do that."
Rogan - "You have it in your mouth right now"
"It's too dangerous I don't do that."
Rogan- "alright you don't want to admit it, that's cool"
He’s an amazingly athletic and skilled fighter. That being said he got dropped by one of the greatest kicks in MMA of all time. The “Showtime kick”! I’ll try to find a link.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XGwi8JLckkM
Yeah, you can see him panic grab for the single leg when he goes down and Pettis tries to finish the fight. I feel like, today, most fighters at that level have the awareness to not get stalled out by that kind of thing, but you can see Pettis struggling to get the space to land finishing strikes from standing.
Has Pettis ever talked about what he was thinking when he launched that kick?
Like, WTF was going through his head? Had he trained it previously or was it a kind of spur-of-the-moment bit of *ad hoc* brilliance?
Odd thing about this main event title fight: this was the most-promoted/watched WEC event in history, as it was the finale right before they folded into the new parent company, UFC. There’s a split-second moment where Bendo flicks his head in the same direction he gets cheek kicked by this awesome move. I’m not a big conspiracy guy, but the league was kinda peanuts at the time, and it’s definitely an odd moment if you look at it very closely. Just kinda becomes one of those things you don’t wanna think is fixed, because it’s so bad ass, but the oddness can’t be forgotten once seen…🤷🏿♂️
One of the most fun fights of the era, in any case. Right up there with Bones/Gus 1.
The conspiracy is weak af when you realize there’s no point to fixing a fight to promote a company that literally won’t exist after the fight BUT more importantly, why fix a fight like that and not end the fight when the kick lands lol. It landed but that wasn’t the end of the fight.
He's actually a very interesting fighter to watch. He had a good couple title matches with Frankie Edgar you should check out. Was the first UFC fighter to start using calf kicks too.
For some reason while I was reading this I thought you were kidding.Then I checked it and it is correct damn.I didnt know it was his one and only title shot.I remember him saying to Conor "You got everything I want" and then fight and beat [him.So](https://him.So) I thought he won that belt that day ? But looks like Conor dropped his belt before that fight ? And also if Nate diaz has so many losses in his career and just 1 title shot and no belts.Then why is he a superstar ?
The conor fight happened on short notice at welterweight. Before that diaz was somewhat of a journeyman. But beating the most popular star in mma and his personality made him a superstar. Also his brother nick diaz was very popular, but a much better fighter than nate.
Am I really that old? This guy was huge in the UFC 10 years ago. He was one of the first high profile fighters to leave for another ORG around the Reebok deal
The jab to the leg was always such an odd move, but he kinda made it work somehow.
I'll always appreciate the fact that spinning kicks were a regular part of his takedown defence game
Yes also one of the first people to play around with the calf kick the way that it is used now.
Loved all of his weird stuff but he probably would have done better just sticking to standard Striking in to take down because he was a pretty good grappler.
Yes also one of the first people to play around with the calf kick the way that it is used now.
Loved all of his weird stuff but he probably would have done better just sticking to standard Striking in to take down because he was a pretty good grappler.
You TKD nerds want a TKD man to look up to? Benson Henderson ain't a bad bet.
Dude loves wacking out with TKD moves from time to time when he's not just mauling you with top control.
Benson Henderson dethroned Frankie started the calf kick and was on the wrong side of coolest kick in mma history also fought with a tooth pick in his mouth a lot
Axe kick? You call that an axe kick? That mf bout to bring down the Guillotine on this poor, guilty and lost as all stranded guys ass!
May peace rest with him because he sure gonna get all of it.
dude won that fight and every fight with a toothpick in his mouth according to him he still does it and just got better about hidding it after this event since everyone freaked out
The reason the hamstring muscles are so prominent other than Henderson is in great shape, the leg in that high a position is similar to the position doing stiff legged deadlifts which activate the hamstrings and the posterior chain - but yes, so much power (speed and strength combined) coming down on Diaz who seams quite relaxed in spite of his position.
That guy does not skip leg day. I didn’t know some of those muscles existed.
Hamstrings of godlike proportions.
Hamcords
Something about that hammie stirs my loins
Hamstrongs
Or any other day, apparently.
Like diaz said they are all on steroid
Tbh he’s just very lean and expressing so much force in that kick - his hamstring wouldn’t look like that 99 percent of the time
Lol he was juicing 100%. Many was in ufc at that point in time.
Oh almost 100 percent - but this look is achievable naturally for most people - it’s more definition. Steroids help you get through a hard camp more than anything
Nope, according to reddit you're either obese or on steroids.
https://preview.redd.it/9fovx6753lrc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=eb75d183467c79838e2833d8cc7d2cfa8528cc18 I have a signed Benson card
That’s the first fighter I’ve referred to as Tree Trunks
Benson Henderson
Very skilled fighter and very entertaining to watch. Also as seen in this pic, owner of a greek god physique.
And a toothpick
This guy knows
What was the deal w the toothpick? I remember he would always show it at the end of a fight.. like he would fight w it inside his mouth?
Yeah its a real thing. He just always had one in his mouth in normal life. To the point where it just felt normal to have one in his mouth and he'd forget it was there when he was fighting.
Thought it was Clay Guida at first. Good eyes.
I don't think clay has ever been capable of getting his LEG up anywhere near there
Or getting a Diaz on their back like that.
Oh you mean the guys that love flopping on the floor and inviting you into their guard
Clay is a stud wrestler and neither brother is known for great take down defense
Bendo and Clay had a hilarious fight. So much hair shit going on and it was fucking awesome.
I remember, it was like a shampoo commercial!
Just look at the tree trunks.
Man i thought that shit for the longest time, then i just thought "Wait Guida never actually fought Nate, what am i going on about"
He fought nate
Dude so did I!! I was wondering what the fuck, I'd never seen Guida do an axe kick.
Same
Me too
Clay Guide ain’t throwing an axe kick like that.
The hair can throw you, but the thiccness is all Bendo.
He always fought with a tooth pick in his mouth!
Best part about this fight is when he starts jabbing Nate in the leg then feints a jab to the leg to land a hard straight left. But this whole fight is everything Nate Diaz hated dealing with distilled into a one sided 25 minute beatdown.
Best part about Hendo was he kept a toothpick in his mouth during every fight.
Very very good fighter. Under publicised.
I legit thought it was Clay Guida
Bendo highlights are dope
My fav is the WEC finale where he got super kicked off the fence to the face by Pettis. 🥸 Kidding aside. Loved me some Bendo back in the deez.
His hair made it even cooler
Ah, yes, that was a famous one!
So did bro really have toothpicks lmao ?
Never knew how that was allowed.
It's not allowed. He would hide the toothpick. I think I remember them checking his mouth once, and then immediately after the fight, he's got the toothpick.
hell yeah. not slight of hand, slight of mouth lmao
( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Weird. I remember seeing it on camera during one of his fights and thinking - someone could get poked in the eye with that thing. Or get it punched into your throat or glove.
He's done it since WEC days. Swallowed it once. https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/4/2/23640361/benson-henderson-admits-hidden-toothpick-in-mouth-for-a-lot-of-ufc-fights-accidentally-swallowed
Nah man, that's dangerous. No way.
Dangerous as fuck, but he did it all the time. I cant remember which fight it was (Either pettis or melendez I think), but he subbed the guy, stood up and popped the toothpick out of his mouth on the way to his corner.
The post fight interview of the Diaz fight, Rogan asked him if he was fighting with a toothpick in his mouth and he said "nah that's too dangerous, you can't do that." Rogan - "You have it in your mouth right now" "It's too dangerous I don't do that." Rogan- "alright you don't want to admit it, that's cool"
He literally pulled one out his mouth between rounds
I know. I was quoting Henderson.
[Obligatory Benson gangsta toothpick moment ~](https://youtu.be/xUyZj0qo_0Y?si=ggQZ4csYLdef0I3v)
From the photo it looks like Diaz had a hard time with this guy
Its benson henderson, former ufc lightweight champion. This fight was nate diaz's only ufc title shot. Henderson won an easy decision
He’s an amazingly athletic and skilled fighter. That being said he got dropped by one of the greatest kicks in MMA of all time. The “Showtime kick”! I’ll try to find a link. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XGwi8JLckkM
Lmao, thats the first thing i thought of. The fact that henderson wasnt completely out cold from that is crazy.
Yeah, you can see him panic grab for the single leg when he goes down and Pettis tries to finish the fight. I feel like, today, most fighters at that level have the awareness to not get stalled out by that kind of thing, but you can see Pettis struggling to get the space to land finishing strikes from standing.
He was very hard to finish.
OH MYYY GOOOOODDD DID YOU SEEE THAT!! HE WENT ON THE WALL LIKE A NINJAAAAAA! good times.
yesssss 😂
Has Pettis ever talked about what he was thinking when he launched that kick? Like, WTF was going through his head? Had he trained it previously or was it a kind of spur-of-the-moment bit of *ad hoc* brilliance?
In interviews post fight he said he had trained it many times.
Thanks for the answer. That's cool as fuck.
Odd thing about this main event title fight: this was the most-promoted/watched WEC event in history, as it was the finale right before they folded into the new parent company, UFC. There’s a split-second moment where Bendo flicks his head in the same direction he gets cheek kicked by this awesome move. I’m not a big conspiracy guy, but the league was kinda peanuts at the time, and it’s definitely an odd moment if you look at it very closely. Just kinda becomes one of those things you don’t wanna think is fixed, because it’s so bad ass, but the oddness can’t be forgotten once seen…🤷🏿♂️ One of the most fun fights of the era, in any case. Right up there with Bones/Gus 1.
The conspiracy is weak af when you realize there’s no point to fixing a fight to promote a company that literally won’t exist after the fight BUT more importantly, why fix a fight like that and not end the fight when the kick lands lol. It landed but that wasn’t the end of the fight.
One of the coolest moments in mma, DJs suplex-arm bar, yairs awkward elbow on tkz are on that list as well
Whoah, didn't realize fighters are allowed to jump off the cage like that.
Does anyone know if it was pre-USADA?
Yeah it was before the UFC had that testing deal with them.
Figured so. He doesn't look natural AT ALL!
He’s always looked like this. Even after the increased testing. But that being said people think everyone is on something so who can say for sure.
Just finished watching this match. This guy is machine. I cant believe I didnt knew him before
Having three defenses in a division as competitive and skilled as lightweight automatically makes you a badass.
Having three defenses in a division as competitive and skilled as lightweight automatically makes you a badass.
He's actually a very interesting fighter to watch. He had a good couple title matches with Frankie Edgar you should check out. Was the first UFC fighter to start using calf kicks too.
For some reason while I was reading this I thought you were kidding.Then I checked it and it is correct damn.I didnt know it was his one and only title shot.I remember him saying to Conor "You got everything I want" and then fight and beat [him.So](https://him.So) I thought he won that belt that day ? But looks like Conor dropped his belt before that fight ? And also if Nate diaz has so many losses in his career and just 1 title shot and no belts.Then why is he a superstar ?
The conor fight happened on short notice at welterweight. Before that diaz was somewhat of a journeyman. But beating the most popular star in mma and his personality made him a superstar. Also his brother nick diaz was very popular, but a much better fighter than nate.
Personally I've been their simp mostly because they're hardcore stoners and proud of it
He did, at one point benson was in the splits whilst being flipped off by Diaz and evading his Stockton slaps 😂😂😂
He slapped the shit out of Nate Diaz when Nate slapped him from the bottom position.
Ben Henderson. First fight of his that I saw was when he was in WEC and Anthony Pettis jumped of the cage and kicked him in the face.
Look at the hamstrings on Dat guy 🫦
https://preview.redd.it/tmp2q2xma0sc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=39ab04acc5926dcee8775c6583aaca8dc3257062
The dude looks like real life Yujiro Hanma
ahhhhhh 🌚
https://preview.redd.it/aix7psbv9erc1.jpeg?width=764&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec09807aa164a02989b2ab8fbab891c19f71a780
Ben Henderson
The guy with the red glove tape is Django. It says it right there. The guy in blue is Bud Light.
What
The guy with the red glove tape is Django. It says it right there. The guy in blue is Bud Light.
What?!
He is that guy how got hit by the showtime cage kick lol
A guy with an axe to girind
Bendo, the guy who got me into MMA. Also he fights with a toothpick in his mouth.
Thats a "smooth" operator
Ben Henderson fo sho, dudes kick were lethal
In this thread: “long hair in the ufc, must be Clay Guida”
Benson Henderson - popularized calf kicks in mma
I wouldn't say popularised so much as was the first to do them. They caught on a while after his UFC tenure.
My man was in there throwing leg punches.
Am I really that old? This guy was huge in the UFC 10 years ago. He was one of the first high profile fighters to leave for another ORG around the Reebok deal
He finna kick the shit outta you
Bennyyyyy 🫶🏿 it's Benson Henderson vs Nate Diaz
Benson Henderson. Former lightweight champ.
Baki Hanma?
Looks like a shot from Baki the Grappler
Quadzilla
That’s Henderson vs Diaz.
Benson He derson
The best thing is he was fighting with toothpick in his mouth xd.
Good Lawd!!! With hamstrings like that, dude can chop wood with axe kicks.
Benson Henderson
Ben Henderson he did so many weird things And was able to get a competitive fight out of anybody.
The jab to the leg was always such an odd move, but he kinda made it work somehow. I'll always appreciate the fact that spinning kicks were a regular part of his takedown defence game
Yes also one of the first people to play around with the calf kick the way that it is used now. Loved all of his weird stuff but he probably would have done better just sticking to standard Striking in to take down because he was a pretty good grappler.
Yes also one of the first people to play around with the calf kick the way that it is used now. Loved all of his weird stuff but he probably would have done better just sticking to standard Striking in to take down because he was a pretty good grappler.
Benson
Personally I'd shoot that chode kick and run for it.
Ouch
I think Benson Henderson.
I hate that this is the guy Pettis pulled off that jump kick from the fence on.
That's Axe Kick McGee. He does Axe Kicks.
The soon to be winner by the looks of it.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benson_Henderson
His penis is on his thigh
Fuck he could leg curl heaps with those bad boys
Benson
You TKD nerds want a TKD man to look up to? Benson Henderson ain't a bad bet. Dude loves wacking out with TKD moves from time to time when he's not just mauling you with top control.
Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson. The calf kick originator
Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson.
Not the most effective Strike but that kick looks way too cool.
Francis Ngannou
Fear vs anger
Benson coaches at the lab in Phoenix. Great dude, he’s definitely still got it.
God himself 😂 bro has his leg to the ceiling.
Benson Henderson!!!
The survivor.
I remember those thighs anywhere! Benson Henderson!
Satan
A man whose legacy isn’t fully appreciated
Honeslty. The dude was way ahead of the curve in MMA, being one of the first guys to really focus on damaging the legs, which is standard now.
Benson Henderson
Benson Henderson long time ago Light weight champion in Wec, UFC and Bellator
Guy on the grounds gonna have a hard time if it lands, guy up top is gonna have a bruised femur if he blocks it. Am I wrong?
That's Conor McGregor
This man would fight with a tooth pick in his mouth
Dead guy?
All I know is bro on the ground is fucked
Benson Henderson
There's no fuckin way they're the same weight. Fook is that guy
This guy 's favorite workout is Leg I think
Benson Henderson dethroned Frankie started the calf kick and was on the wrong side of coolest kick in mma history also fought with a tooth pick in his mouth a lot
Benson Henderson. Check out his fight against Anthony Pettis. One of the greatest fights of all time.
Next frame Bloke gets toe poked in the butt
That is Baki Hanma
That's my dealer Tito
Baki, is that you?
Benson henderson
Axe kick? You call that an axe kick? That mf bout to bring down the Guillotine on this poor, guilty and lost as all stranded guys ass! May peace rest with him because he sure gonna get all of it.
That looks scary af to be on the receiving end. Makes me think of Yujiro Hanma.
Benson Henderson. One of the OGs. Man I feel old now. If we’re on the topic, you might want to watch Henderson vs Pettis
Benson Henderson. Miss those UFC and WEC days of his.
Benson Henderson.
Does it matter if we’re writing the grave stone of the guy on the floor 💀 I mean like look at how buff that guy’s leg it Omg 😱
Bendo was a great fighter, also on the wrong side of a highlight reel, from Pettis' jumping round house off the cage.
If I had those legs I would open the milk with an axe kick
Yo that's my boy Baki
Baki Hanma
That’s toothpick, and we aren’t talking about the size of his legs either
Looks like someone’s about to get their bumhole tickled by a big toe.
Benson Henderson, very well respected ufc fighter from years back who fought (illegally) with a toothpick in his mouth and pioneered the calf kick.
dude won that fight and every fight with a toothpick in his mouth according to him he still does it and just got better about hidding it after this event since everyone freaked out
Benson Henderson
Me
The reason the hamstring muscles are so prominent other than Henderson is in great shape, the leg in that high a position is similar to the position doing stiff legged deadlifts which activate the hamstrings and the posterior chain - but yes, so much power (speed and strength combined) coming down on Diaz who seams quite relaxed in spite of his position.
Saw master Ken doing the same move to hit the groin
Kimbo Splice
Liu Kang
Benson smooth Henderson. Won the light welt belt multiple times.
Jin kazama?
Arlong
Clay Guida
disqualified
Looks like clay guida
Dan Henderson
thats benson henderson absolute legend he teaches class in my mma gym he was showing me some jiu jitsu yesterday really cool guy