You have to admire a fighter when he offers an apology even after pulling
out a convincing win.

Ben Henderson made his debut in the Maximum Fighting Championship at MFC 16 and schooled Mike Maestas on his way to a third-round stoppage. But in the ring after his hand was raised in victory, Henderson offered an apology for a performance he didn't rate among his best. Aiming to be a serious threat in the upper echelon of the lightweight ranks, Henderson is back at MFC 17 and looking to cement himself as a top contender for the vacant 155-pound crown. And to make that happen, he'll need an effort that pleases the fans and himself.

"I was a little disappointed because I wanted to have an exciting fight, the
kind that the fans like," said Henderson. "I was not at my best. It was good
enough to get the win but I can do better than that. Every time I fight I want to be a fan favorite."

Henderson will take a step in the direction of winning back the fans when he
takes on a Ricardo Tirloni on July 25 at the River Cree Resort and Casino. The winner of that fight will definitely jump to the front of the lightweight ranks and be in position to get a shot at the belt - a title that the MFC wants filled by no later than the end of year.

The 24-year-old from Glendale, Arizona, knows he's in for a tougher struggle
against Tirloni, a member of the American Top Team from Orlando, Florida. But despite the step up in competition, Henderson is sticking with a straightforward game plan.

"It's pretty much the same as always," he explained. "I want to keep it standing but if wants to take it to the ground, that's fine with me but we'll go there my way with me in control. I definitely want to establish my striking. I'm more comfortable on the ground too but I won't hesitate to keep it standing because I'm very committed to my striking."

Henderson figures to be more comfortable not only standing and letting his hands go but also with his surroundings at MFC 17. His first venture was a
little more than he expected.

"I will say now that it was a little nerve-wracking," admitted Henderson. "I made it seem like it was no big deal but then you start doing the TV interviews and the HDNet guys are around and the lights come on it's a lot bigger than you think. It was definitely the biggest and best show I've ever fought on. I was getting the butterflies in my stomach when I walked out.

"This time I think I'll be a little more comfortable and it won't all be new to me."

And as he gets more comfortable, Henderson figures to make up any ground in
experience he has working against him compared to the other leading contenders in the lightweight division.  In the end and when a champion gets
that first MFC lightweight belt, Henderson expects that nothing but talent will separate the champ from the rest of the pack.

"I definitely think I can beat a lot of the best guys - they're all tough guys but I know I can hang with them," he said. "I think they'll all be good exciting matches but I'm a confident guy and I know I can beat anybody.  And when I get more experience I'll be even harder to beat. When you have the right amount of experience and the right amount of talent and desire, you can be the champion and I know I will have all that."