Benson Henderson is set to make his MMA return at Bellator 273 on Saturday. The former UFC champion takes on Islam Mamedov in a tough, lightweight contest.

The Bellator MMA lightweight made it clear that he wanted to get back in the title picture and asked Bellator what he needed to do. The organization made it very clear for him. He needed to take on one specific man.

“I asked them point-blank, ‘Hey, what do I need to do?’ I know three losses in a row doesn’t look good,” Henderson told reporters, including MMA Junkie, during Wednesday’s Bellator 273 media day in Phoenix. “One’s at 170 (instead of lightweight) – it is what it is. But three losses in a row doesn’t look good. But what do I need to do? What’s the quickest way I can get back to a title shot? Of course I’m biased in my own opinion, but I feel I’m still the best lightweight in the world. How can I go back to there and prove it? How can I get a chance to prove that? And they threw out Islam’s name.”

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Every fighter in Bellator MMA was saying not to fight Islam Mamedov. Benson Henderson knew exactly what he needed to do.

“They said this guy is on a 19-fight win streak. He just beat the guy that beat you, Brent Primus, and no one else can fight him,” Henderson said. “They couldn’t get anybody. Everyone is saying no to Islam. So yeah, sign me up. I’m your huckleberry. If Islam is the guy who if I beat him, I’m that much quicker, faster to a title shot then absolutely. I’m all for it.”