Sherdog’s Top 10: Best Title Fights

Benson Henderson made a memorable stand in San Antonio. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

5. Donald Cerrone vs. Benson Henderson
WEC 43 “Cerrone vs. Henderson”
Oct. 10, 2009 | San Antonio
Henderson raced out to an early lead and held on for a unanimous decision, as a hard-charging Cerrone did everything within his power to claw his way back into the fight.

“Smooth” did his best work while standing in Cerrone’s guard. He repeatedly took that position after takedowns and pounded Cerrone’s body and head en route to a three-rounds-to-none lead on all three scorecards. Cerrone had little offense early, aside from a head-and-arm choke/triangle choke combination in the first round and an armbar attempt in the second; he was relegated to defending takedowns and ground-and-pound as Henderson built his lead. The fourth round was a turning point for Cerrone. He grabbed another head-and-arm choke that clearly took something out of Henderson early in the frame. Though he escaped -- and ate a big right hand as he did so -- Henderson was not the same fighter who racked up the points in the first three rounds. With improved takedown defense, Cerrone scored more on his feet and landed nearly all of the relevant shots in the fight’s final two rounds.

Cerrone, possibly knowing he needed to finish, cut out all the stops in the championship round. He fought off takedown after takedown and sank his deepest submission of the night -- an armbar that had Henderson scrambling to relieve the pressure on his elbow. Henderson regained top position in the bout’s closing seconds, but Cerrone battered him with upkicks. He finished strong with another triangle choke and armbar attempt before the final horn sounded, but it was not enough to overcome Henderson’s lead.

Number 4 » Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen