Ben Henderson On A Quest To Become The Best In The World

Ben Henderson has come a long way since losing the WEC lightweight title to Anthony Pettis back in 2010. He's made three appearances in the UFC since, taking out Mark Bocek, Jim Miller and Clay Guida to earn a shot at Frankie Edgar's UFC title, which he'll take later this month at UFC 144.

But the Smooth one still has a long way to go before he's satisfied the primary goal he set his mind to upon first entering the fight game: Become recognized hands down as the best fighter on the planet.

"I definitely have long term goals and short term goals, but that has been my goal since I first got into fighting, period: Just to be the best fighter on the planet -- no ifs, ands or buts about it," said the 28-year-old. "Not one of the best, not top three, top five, whatever -- I want to be the best fighter in the world, period. That goal is still in my sights, I still wake up thinking about that.

"I don't think me beating Frankie at all gets me anywhere near the conversation," Bendo went on. "I'd have to beat Frankie, then beat a couple other guys, defend the belt -- what is Anderson up to? He's up to like, twelve right now? Thirteen? After I beat Anderson's record, whatever he stops at -- fourteen times, fifteen times -- after I beat that, then the conversation can begin."

Henderson will take the next step on his journey to become the best on Saturday, February 26 (25 Stateside), when he takes on Edgar for the title in the main event of UFC 144, which will take place at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

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