Matches to Make: UFC Fight Night Seoul

Whether you react to Benson Henderson with love, hate or indifference, no one can argue with the former Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting champion’s results.

Henderson went to a split decision for the fourth time in 14 appearances inside the Octagon -- he now owns a 4-0 record in such fights -- as he bested American Top Team’s Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night “Henderson vs. Masvidal” on Saturday at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in Seoul. The judges saw it 48-47 and 49-46 for Henderson, 48-47 for Masvidal.

All five rounds were competitive. According to preliminary FightMetric data, Henderson held a slight edge in significant strikes, 86-77, landed at a higher percentage, 58-49, and executed three takedowns to Masvidal’s one. However, “Gamebred” connected on far more total strikes, 217-138, and attempted the only submission in the 25-minute battle.

Attention now shifts to Henderson’s pending free agency. The 32-year-old MMA Lab representative hit a wall at 155 pounds, with losses to Anthony Pettis, Rafael dos Anjos and Donald Cerrone, and he does not figure to challenge for the UFC welterweight title anytime soon. Henderson, who has competed under the Zuffa umbrella for almost seven years, reportedly plans to test the market for his services.

In wake of UFC Fight Night “Henderson vs. Masvidal,” here are five matchups that ought to be considered:

Benson Henderson vs. Demian Maia-Gunnar Nelson winner: Henderson still has much to prove at 170 pounds, and while he likely lacks the size and strength necessary to compete with the division’s upper-tier contenders, back-to-back wins over Masvidal and Brandon Thatch have made him hard to ignore. Maia and Nelson will collide in a grappler’s delight showcase at UFC 194 on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas.

Dong Hyun Kim vs. Matt Brown: In what was a largely predictable outcome, Kim took care of an overmatched Dominic Waters in the co-main event. The South Korean judoka tossed “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 16 grad to the mat, advanced to the mounted crucifix and let loose with a sustained burst of offense that forced the stoppage. Kim, 34, has won six of his last seven fights and remains firmly entrenched in the top 10 at 170 pounds. Brown has not fought since he submitted Tim Means with a guillotine choke at UFC 189 on July 11. He lost a controversial decision to Kim in September 2008, long before he emerged as a legitimate contender in the welterweight division.

Doo Ho Choi vs. Dennis Bermudez-Maximo Blanco winner: Choi was again sensational, as he made the most of the main-card stage in his sophomore UFC appearance. The promising 24-year-old blew away Sam Sicilia with precise power punching in a little more than 90 seconds, extending his current winning streak to 11 bouts. Choi called out Japanese veteran Tatsuya Kawajiri after his latest rout, and with “Crusher” reportedly needing an opponent for “The Ultimate Fighter 22” Finale on Dec. 11, the UFC could conceivably go that route. If not, Bermudez and Blanco will square off at UFC Fight Night “Dillashaw vs. Cruz” on Jan. 17.

Alberto Mina vs. Bartosz Fabinski: The unbeaten Mina kept his perfect professional record intact with a split decision over Yoshihiro Akiyama, though it was not without considerable difficulty. The judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt absorbed a tremendous amount of punishment to his lead leg, the result of repeated kicks from Akiyama. However, Mina weathered those attacks, had “Sexyama” in serious trouble at the end of the second round and did just enough to get by on the scorecards. Fabinski has flown under the radar thus far because of his grinding style. The 29-year-old Pole recorded his sixth straight win on Nov. 21, when he pocketed a three-round unanimous decision over Hector Urbina at UFC Fight Night “Magny vs. Gastelum.”

Jorge Masvidal vs. Alan Jouban: Masvidal nearly sprang the upset on the aforementioned Henderson and has now lost two of his last three fights by split decision. The American Top Team rep will remain a factor in the UFC for the foreseeable future, whether he stays at 170 pounds or elects to return to the lightweight division. Jouban last fought at UFC 192 on Oct. 3, when he succumbed to a first-round head kick and follow-up punches from Albert Tumenov. The defeat halted a two-fight winning streak for the 33-year-old Jouban, who has quickly established himself as one of the most aggressive and entertaining welterweights on the UFC roster.