Benson Henderson sticking with plan of enlisting in the military

Benson Henderson once said that he planned to retire from MMA at the age of 33. But with his 33rd birthday approaching and Henderson preparing to start his new career as a Bellator fighter this weekend against Andrey Koreshkov for the welterweight title, does the former UFC lightweight champion still have plans to call it quits?

Not anymore.

While appearing on The MMA Hour, Henderson revealed exactly what was behind his proposed retirement age. And it had nothing to do with his in-ring prowess. Instead, it had everything to do with giving back to his country as a member of the military.

"The real reason, to be frank with you, is that I will end up joining the military ranks," Henderson told Ariel Helwani. "I’ve always held a pretty strong civic duty. Us as Americans, we need to do a better job period."

Henderson initially thought that there were age limitations for joining the military and age 33 was the cut off. However, he has since found out that he can join the reserves and continue his career as an MMA fighter.

“I thought I would have to leave MMA but I talked to a few recruiters and the let me know that there [aren’t age limitations],” Henderson said. After recently defecting from the UFC to Bellator in free agency, Henderson has said that he’s interested in making a run at both the welterweight and lightweight titles. He’ll compete against Koreshkov on Friday night and then hope to get a shot at the lightweight title, currently held by Will Brooks, later this year.

However, regardless how he fares in Bellator, he’s dedicated to serving his civic duty for his country.

"Every 22-year old says [they want to join the military],” Henderson said. “It’s something that I always felt. When I’m older, when I’m 50, I want to tell my kids and my grandkids [that] you have a civic duty to your country. To serve, to give back. What have you done for your country besides eating the food and using the electricity? What have you done for your country?”

As for the military branch he’ll enlist in, Henderson said it’s really a matter of which one would utilize his talents best. And if that means that a successful MMA fighter is called into battle, he’ll do whatever he has to do.

"I’d be open to it," Henderson said. "I’ve talked to my wife about it and if that’s a duty that that branch of the military feels I’m best fit for, sure. No problem. Is it something I want to do? I’m not 21. I’m not 18. I don’t want to go to war. I’m old, man. I don’t need to prove myself and go to war and all this stuff. But if that’s what’s called on, and that’s what it takes, you know …"

But Bellator can breathe a sigh of relief because it appears that their newly-acquired free agent is here for the long haul.