Twitter reacts to Benson Henderson’s controversial UFC on FOX 10 victory

Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson rebounded from his first loss in several years with a controversial split-decision victory over Josh Thomson in the main event of today’s UFC on FOX 10 event at Chicago’s United Center.

Henderson (20-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who dropped the title to Anthony Pettis in August, showed his ability to rebound from a devastating defeat as he narrowly edged Thomson (20-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) over five rounds for a decision win.

While UFC President Dana White has said Henderson has a long way to go before getting a title shot, especially against Pettis, “Smooth” took one step closer to getting that bout, though he’ll need much more dominant performances going forward if he hopes to regain the belt.

Outraged poured in on social media when the scorecards were read. To see what fans, media and fighters in the MMA community thought about Henderson’s victory, check out these Twitter reactions:

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Main event time, kiddies. Looks like Henderson is well up over the 3-to-1 favorite mark. What say you?

— Matt Erickson (@MMAjunkieMatt) January 26, 2014

WEC champ vs Strikeforce champ. We still do this, right? — RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) January 26, 2014

Good thing @bensonhenderson and I have different first names, our walkout hats would look identical. #ufc #UFConFox10

— Dan Henderson (@danhendo) January 26, 2014

Ben Henderson has that Herbal Essences hair ! #UFConFox10

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) January 26, 2014

Josh Thomson Div 1 wrestler at Stanford for a little bit dipped Ben on his back. Wow. @UFCONFOX — Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) January 26, 2014

Good first round for grappling nerds. I give it to Thomson. — Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) January 26, 2014

Great first round. Lots of good technique

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) January 26, 2014

Very technical 1st round! #UFConFox10 #FOXUFCSaturday

— Akira Corassani (@AkiraCorassani) January 26, 2014

What a 1st round!! — Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) January 26, 2014

Rd 1 to Thomson with takedown, back control with body triangle for most of the rd, even with Bendo trying standing arm triangle 10-9 Thomson — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) January 26, 2014

Great first round. Josh got first. @UFCONFOX

— Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) January 26, 2014

How bout we don’t use the shot where Big John is blocking the action #UFConFox10

— Chris Hall (@Chris81203) January 26, 2014

Very close round full of clinching and position fighting. In my estimation, Thomson up 2-0, but could be tied. — Bleacher Report MMA (@BR_MMA) January 26, 2014

Not a bad start for you worst camp ever Thompson . 2 round to 0 for Thompson #UFConFox10 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) January 26, 2014

Josh Thomson giving this main event some drama. #UFConFox

— Carlin Bardsley (@CarlinBardsley) January 26, 2014

That round was close

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) January 26, 2014

@THEREALPUNK I gave round 2, to him as well. Ben gets stronger though as the fight continues — Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) January 26, 2014

With a minute to go in R3, Henderson is in control. Thomson scrappy though. The quality of grappling and clinchwork here is superlative.

— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) January 26, 2014

Call me crazy, but I’d be looking for any angle to win. If I’m in Benson’s corner, I’m yelling, ‘Squeeze the hand! Squeeze the hand!’

— Dann Stupp (@MMAjunkieDann) January 26, 2014

Henderson and Thompson are both doing a lot of slick shit right now. — Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) January 26, 2014

Ben Henderson takes R3. Josh Thomson is up 29-28 after three. — Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 26, 2014

@BensonHenderson got round 3, having a broke hand sucks. But Ben deff picked up the pace

— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) January 26, 2014

A CRADLE IN MMA. HOSE ME OFF.

— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) January 26, 2014

What is this Henderson going for double bagger!?!?!? @eddiebravo #Rubberguard — Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) January 26, 2014

If Thomson wins this fight, can he legitimately say that he could beat a UFC champion with one hand? — Daniel Downes (@dannyboydownes) January 26, 2014

3-1 Punk. Bendo needs a finish.

— Daniel Rubenstein (@dannyrube) January 26, 2014

Scorecards are going to be fun for this one.

— Steven Marrocco (@MMAjunkieSteven) January 26, 2014

I would hate to be a judge… — TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) January 26, 2014

3-1 Thompson. Get it boaaayyyy! — kajan johnson (@IamRagin) January 26, 2014

@THEREALPUNK got round 4, Ben needs a finish!!!!!

— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) January 26, 2014

apparently Rogan think Henderson is winning

— Joshua Wood (@JoshWoodMMA) January 26, 2014

Everyone ready for the judges’ decision? pic.twitter.com/eUzzDEFhnH — Dann Stupp (@MMAjunkieDann) January 26, 2014

I am not impressed….#GSPvoice — Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) January 26, 2014

Such a close fight #UFConFox10 gotta think Thomson wins it.

— Aaron Simpson (@aaronsimpson) January 26, 2014

48-47 Josh ??@THEREALPUNK @ufc

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) January 26, 2014

I think Josh Thomson just “Hendersoned” Henderson. #UFConFox10 — Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 26, 2014

I gave rounds 1,2 and 4 to Josh. — Dan Henderson (@danhendo) January 26, 2014

Could this be a draw? I gave 1 to Thompson. 2 literally either way. 3 hendo 4 Thompson and 5 neither guy took it

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) January 26, 2014

No way Benson Henderson won that fight, which means the judges probably have him winning that fight. #UFConFox10

— Case Keefer (@casekeefer) January 26, 2014

Hoping Ben takes it — Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) January 26, 2014

Can’t wait for a bs split decision for bendo — Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) January 26, 2014

UFC on FOX 10 results: Benson Henderson def. Josh Thomson via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46)

— MMAjunkie MMA (@MMAjunkie) January 26, 2014

Ugh.

— CagePotato.com (@cagepotatomma) January 26, 2014

Horrible decision — AL IAQUINTA (@ALIAQUINTA) January 26, 2014

I thought Thompson won. #UFConFox10 — Chris Holdsworth (@holdsworth135) January 26, 2014

Thought Thompson won , but I’m no judge ! Combat sports ! #UFConFox10

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) January 26, 2014

I’m just gonna assume if I don’t finish my fights from now on, I’m gonna lose. Great fight tonight @BensonHenderson @THEREALPUNK

— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) January 26, 2014

I hope @danawhite gives josh a shot at the title anyways! I like that match up, plus josh is a warrior. @ufc — Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) January 26, 2014

Hhhmmm? — Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) January 26, 2014

Congrats on your win @BensonHenderson !

— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) January 26, 2014

If I had to pick a winner I would have said Thompson. Def wasn’t a bad decision

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) January 26, 2014

Congrats to Josh he won but Henderson won the judges @ufc @lunarpages @@fearthefighter http://t.co/jBKpm9cWWu — Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) January 26, 2014

Judges can be a real bummer. @THEREALPUNK was robbed. Still deserves a title shot. #UFConFox10 — Patrick Healy (@BamBamHealy) January 26, 2014

The final @FightMetric strike stats even more in Bendo’s favor: 114-33 overall, 46-19 in significant strikes. #UFConFOX

— Mike Chiappetta MMA (@MikeChiappetta) January 26, 2014

Dana on local FOX in Vegas. Doesn’t seem outraged at the call. “Typical Ben Henderson fight.”

— John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) January 26, 2014

For the latest on UFC on FOX 10, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.