Former UFC champion Benson Henderson claimed victory against hometown favourite Peter Queally in the Bellator 258 main event in front of a raucous crowd inside Dublin’s 3Arena. 

Henderson, one of the most battle-tested veterans on the Bellator roster, used every bit of his nous to frustrate a game Queally through five rounds. The Irishman did, however, have his moments — particularly early when he repelled a series of early takedowns from the American forcing Henderson to adapt his strategy in favour of pushing Queally to the cage, elevating a leg and landing elbows when the opportunity presented itself.

That kick… @BensonHenderson 👀 #Bellator285 | 🇺🇸 @SHOSports | 🇬🇧 @BBCThree pic.twitter.com/5KulvEPXnx

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 23, 2022

Queally did find a home for several sniping shots throughout the five rounds, and also had the advantage of having Henderson deducted a point by the referee in the opening moments of the second following a particularly awful groin shot.

But when all was said and done, it was Henderson who had his hand raised with the scorecards reading 49-45 x 3.