Habirora Defeats Henderson in PFL Brussels Main Event, Solidifying Undefeated Streak

Brussels, Belgium – Patrick Habirora maintained his pristine professional record on Saturday afternoon at the ING Arena, securing a decisive victory over MMA legend and former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the highly anticipated welterweight main event of PFL Brussels. The 25-year-old Belgian prospect extended his undefeated streak to 9-0, showcasing a blend of striking precision and defensive resilience that ultimately earned him a unanimous decision victory over the seasoned veteran.

The clash between Habirora, representing his home nation, and the American icon Henderson, marked a significant moment for the Professional Fighters League’s European circuit. Habirora, whose journey through PFL Europe last year saw him secure two impressive first-round finishes, entered the contest with considerable momentum and the backing of a fervent home crowd. Henderson, 40, returned to the MMA cage after a hiatus since 2023, having recently competed in various other combat disciplines, bringing a wealth of experience from his illustrious 30-12 career.

From the opening bell, Habirora sought to establish his range, utilizing sharp jabs and swift leg kicks to keep Henderson at bay. Henderson, known for his relentless pressure and grappling prowess, patiently worked to close the distance, aiming for clinch entries and takedowns. The first round saw a tactical battle unfold, with Habirora landing the cleaner strikes in exchanges, while Henderson managed to secure a brief takedown in the final minute, though without significant follow-up damage. The Belgian’s agility and footwork were key in avoiding Henderson’s more powerful, looping punches.

As the fight progressed into the second round, Henderson intensified his forward pressure. He managed to pin Habirora against the fence for a sustained period, working for a single-leg takedown. Habirora demonstrated strong takedown defense, sprawling effectively and defending wrist controls, eventually reversing positions and creating separation. Back in the center, Habirora continued to pepper Henderson with combinations, showcasing improved head movement to evade the veteran’s counters. A notable moment occurred mid-round when Habirora landed a crisp left hook that momentarily wobbled Henderson, forcing the former champion to clinch and recover.

Related News :

• Conor McGregor Receives 18-Month Suspension for Repeated Anti-Doping Whereabouts Failures
• UFC 324 Readies for Las Vegas Debut on Paramount+ with Gaethje-Pimblett Lightweight Title Clash
• Undefeated Phenom Dakota Ditcheva Set for Highly Anticipated Return Against Bellator Veteran Denise Kielholtz at PFL Dubai on February 7, 2026.
• UFC Fight Night Set for High Stakes in Las Vegas as Moicano Faces Duncan in Lightweight Headliner
• UFC Welterweight Randy Brown Advocates Nuanced Approach to Eye Poke Penalties, Declares Cage Grabbing a More Egregious Foul

The championship rounds saw both fighters digging deep. Henderson, understanding he was likely down on the scorecards, came out with renewed urgency in the third. He landed a clean right hand early, his most significant strike of the fight, prompting a brief exchange of power shots. However, Habirora absorbed the blow well and responded with a flurry of his own, including a knee to the body from the clinch. The Belgian fighter’s conditioning proved superior in the later stages, as he maintained a high output of strikes and continued to move fluidly, denying Henderson the sustained ground control he typically relies on. The final bell sounded with both fighters still actively engaging, but Habirora’s striking volume and defensive efforts appeared to have secured him the advantage. The judges’ scorecards confirmed this, with all three scoring the bout in favor of Patrick Habirora (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). The victory marks a significant step up in competition for Habirora and firmly places him as a rising star within the PFL welterweight division. For Henderson, it marks a difficult return to the MMA cage, though his enduring toughness and willingness to face young talent remain unquestionable.

In the co-main event, French bantamweight Taylor Lapilus (25-4) extended his impressive winning streak to six fights with a dominant performance against UFC veteran Jake Hadley (12-6). Lapilus, known for his dynamic striking and athleticism, showcased his full arsenal against the aggressive Brit. The opening round saw Lapilus utilize his reach advantage, landing precise kicks to the body and legs of Hadley, who struggled to get inside Lapilus’s defense. Hadley attempted multiple takedowns, but Lapilus’s improved grappling defense was evident, as he stuffed each attempt with authority.

The second round saw Lapilus increase his offensive output. A perfectly timed counter left hook dropped Hadley midway through the round, and Lapilus followed up with a barrage of ground and pound. While Hadley showed resilience to survive the onslaught, he was visibly shaken. Lapilus continued to control the pace and distance, landing combinations and evading Hadley’s desperate attempts to engage in a brawl. In the third and final round, Lapilus sealed his victory with a late takedown, securing top control and landing short elbows until the final horn. The judges awarded Lapilus a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), solidifying his position as a formidable contender in the bantamweight division and potentially lining him up for a significant challenge in his next outing. For Hadley, the loss marks a setback against top-tier competition.

Earlier on the main card, the heavyweight clash between Boris Atangana (6-1) and Jared Gooden (24-11) delivered a powerful finish. Atangana, a formidable striker from Cameroon, wasted no time, knocking out Gooden in the first round with a devastating overhand right that connected flush, sending Gooden to the canvas at 1:47 of Round 1. The victory showcased Atangana’s immense power and established him as a force to be reckoned with in the PFL heavyweight landscape.

The flyweight bout between Marcirley Alves (12-3) and Naoki Inoue (18-4) was a technical masterclass, primarily on the ground. Inoue, a Japanese grappling specialist, demonstrated superior jiu-jitsu, securing an armbar submission victory in the second round. After a competitive first round that saw both fighters exchange takedowns, Inoue capitalized on an ill-advised guard pull by Alves, transitioning swiftly to mount before isolating the arm for the finish at 3:10 of Round 2. This submission victory adds another impressive win to Inoue’s record and highlights his submission prowess.

Rounding out the main card, Asael Adjoudj (8-2) secured a unanimous decision victory over Keisuke Sasu (10-3-1) in a featherweight contest. The fight was a back-and-forth affair, with Adjoudj’s striking volume and crisp combinations ultimately outpointing Sasu’s aggressive wrestling attempts. Adjoudj showcased excellent footwork and defensive grappling, denying Sasu significant control time and landing the more impactful strikes throughout the three rounds.

The preliminary card also delivered several notable performances. In a light heavyweight contest, Donegi Abena, a decorated kickboxer making his MMA debut, faced veteran Joe Schilling. Abena (1-0 MMA) displayed his striking pedigree, securing a TKO victory over Schilling (4-7 MMA) in the second round. After a cautious first round, Abena found his rhythm, unleashing a series of powerful kicks and punches that overwhelmed Schilling, forcing the referee to intervene at 2:34 of Round 2.

Movsar Ibragimov (11-1) continued his impressive run, submitting Youssouf Binate (9-3) with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their featherweight bout. Ibragimov, a wrestling powerhouse, quickly took the fight to the ground, established dominant position, and locked in the choke at 2:05, extending his winning streak and showcasing his formidable ground game.

Other preliminary results included Baris Adiguzel (7-2) defeating Gustavo Oliveira (9-2) by unanimous decision in a bantamweight clash, Khamzat Abaev (6-1) earning a split decision over Luca Poclit (10-2) in a welterweight encounter, and Adam Meskini (5-0) maintaining his undefeated record with a unanimous decision win over Keweny Lopes (7-3) in a lightweight bout. Rustam Serbiev (9-2) opened the event with a dominant performance, securing a TKO victory over Ashley Reece (9-4) in the first round of their lightweight contest.

PFL Brussels provided an evening of compelling mixed martial arts action, highlighting both the established talent and emerging prospects within the organization’s European roster. The event underscored the PFL’s commitment to developing regional talent while offering high-stakes matchups featuring global MMA stars. The victories for Habirora and Lapilus, in particular, set the stage for potentially exciting future matchups as the PFL season progresses.

💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook

Author Profile

Ali Akbar Rosady

Latest entries

• MMAMay 23, 2026NBA Sees Star Wembanyama Sidelined, Bulls Coach Exits Amid Playoff Push; NFL Draft Set for Unpredictable Selections
• MMAMay 23, 2026Habirora Defeats Henderson in PFL Brussels Main Event, Solidifying Undefeated Streak
• MMAMay 23, 2026UFC Prepares for Historic Shift with Royval-Kape Flyweight Showdown and Paramount+ Era Launch
• MMAMay 23, 2026Chael Sonnen Identifies Holly Holm as Sole Viable Opponent for Gina Carano’s Potential Return