MMA

Ben Henderson vs. Rustam Khabilov set to headline June 7 fight card in Albuquerque

Mar 18, 2014, 6:02 PM | Updated: 6:02 pm

For the first time in company history, the UFC is heading to Albuquerque, NM.

Headlining the bout is a lightweight matchup between former champion Benson Henderson and Albuquerque’s adopted son Rustam Khabilov.

Henderson, who currently holds the number two spot at 155-pounds according to the official Power MMA fighter rankings, is coming off a controversial split decision victory over Josh Thomson in the main event of UFC on FOX 10 in January. Prior to this victory, fans saw the Arizona native lose both his championship belt and seven-fight winning streak at the hands of an Anthony Pettis armbar at UFC 164 last August.

The Dagestan born Khabilov is currently riding an impressive six-fight winning streak, including three straight under the UFC banner, and was originally scheduled to face Rafael Dos Anjos at UFC 170 in February before the UFC scrapped the bout in the weeks leading up to the fight card. Prior to this Khabilov saw his hand raised at the end of a dominant decision victory over mixed martial arts veteran Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight for the Troops 3.

This will not only be the Jackson MMA product’s first main event fight but Henderson will also be his first opponent ranked within the top 10 at 155-pounds.

UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov will take place June 7 at Tingley Coliseum. Tickets for the card go on sale to the general public on April 18. No other fights have been made official.

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