Benson Henderson Returns to MMA After Three-Year Hiatus, Eyes Comeback Against Patrick Habirora Benson Henderson is set to make his first MMA return in three years, facing Patrick Habirora at the PFL event in Brussels on May 23. The 42-year-old, who retired from MMA in 2023, initially hesitated to come back but was convinced by PFL matchmaker Mike Kogan. Kogan’s persistent messages about online criticism and the need to “remind the world who I am” eventually swayed Henderson. “He kept needling me a couple of times,” Henderson said, recalling how Kogan’s texts about online chatter and the opportunity to prove himself pushed him to accept the fight. “I told him, I don’t care. People have been after me my whole career. I’ve done all right. People are allowed to have their opinion.” After Kogan offered the matchup against Habirora, Henderson agreed, stating, “Sounds good, Kogan. I noticed what you did but sure, let’s do it. Let’s remind the world who I am and what I’ve done and how I do it. That sounds good to me.” Henderson’s retirement from MMA did not mean he stopped competing entirely. While he stepped away from MMA, he remained active in other combat sports, including boxing, Karate Combat, and freestyle wrestling. He continued coaching at his gym, The MMA Lab in Arizona, and trained daily, staying engaged with the fighting world. “Since the day I retired, I was back in the gym the next week, on the mats training again,” he said. His gym’s philosophy focuses on relentless work ethic, with Henderson emphasizing that “we’re going to be the hardest working gym in the world.” This mindset carried over into his personal training, as he continued to push himself physically and mentally. “We fight on Saturdays and back in the gym on Monday working to get better, win or lose, it doesn’t matter,” he explained.#brussels #pfl #benson_henderson #patrick_habirora #the_mma_lab
PFL Extends Broadcast Partnership with DAZN in DACH Region The Professional Fighters League (PFL), a leading mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion, has extended its broadcast rights agreement with DAZN, a global subscription streaming platform, to continue providing coverage of its events across the DACH region. The multi-year deal renewal, announced today, ensures that DAZN DACH will broadcast PFL action, including the main series, as well as the PFL Africa and PFL MENA regional subsidiaries, in Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. This partnership marks a significant step in the PFL’s strategy to expand its global reach. The agreement, which began in 2023, was designed to align with the league’s efforts to grow its audience beyond the United States. The renewal ensures continued visibility for PFL events in the DACH region, which includes some of Europe’s most prominent markets. DAZN’s existing sports rights portfolio in Germany, which includes top-tier soccer leagues such as the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League, provides a strong foundation for the PFL’s integration into the region’s media landscape. The partnership also extends to France, where DAZN has already been broadcasting PFL events. This expansion underscores the PFL’s commitment to diversifying its broadcast footprint and leveraging partnerships with established platforms to maximize its global audience. The deal was structured to coincide with key events, including the April 11 PFL Chicago event in the U.S., ensuring seamless coverage across all regions. In addition to the DAZN renewal, the PFL has been actively pursuing new broadcast partnerships to bolster its international presence. Earlier this month, the league announced a deal with Sky New Zealand (NZ) for the 2026 season, which will see Sky NZ air all 16 PFL Global events in 2026.#dazn #pfl #pfl_mena #pfl_africa #dach_region
Top MMA Fighters Compete at PFL Chicago 2026 The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is set to host its annual Chicago tournament event on April 11, 2026, at the United Center in downtown Chicago. The main card will feature a highly anticipated matchup between two of the league’s top featherweight contenders, Sergio Pettis and Mitch McKee. The fight, scheduled to begin at 9 PM Central Time, is expected to draw a massive crowd and serve as a pivotal moment in the PFL’s lightweight division. Pettis, a Milwaukee-based fighter, is looking to solidify his position as one of the premier lightweights in the PFL following a string of strong performances. His opponent, McKee, a Midwest native, aims to pull off an upset against the more experienced Pettis and make a statement on the national stage. The event marks a significant stop on the MMA calendar, bringing together elite talent from around the world to compete in the Windy City. The PFL Chicago 2026 tournament is structured as a tournament-style league, featuring a regular season, playoffs, and a championship event. The main event between Pettis and McKee will determine the next contender for the PFL lightweight playoffs, which will ultimately lead to the $1 million championship prize. The outcome of the fight will not only shape the trajectory of both fighters’ careers but also influence the competitive landscape of the lightweight division. Dana White, the PFL president, praised the matchup as a “can’t-miss fight” between two of the best lightweights in the league. He emphasized that both Pettis and McKee possess the skills to deliver an entertaining performance for the Chicago audience. The event is expected to highlight the growing popularity of the PFL and its role in shaping the future of MMA.#dana_white #united_center #pfl #sergio_pettis #mitch_mckee
