Habirora says respect comes first after Henderson knockout loss

Patrick Habirora says he and Benson Henderson will share a drink despite their cage fight, calling for respect in combat sports. The call came moments after Habirora was knocked out at PFL Brussels.

“This is a sport. Benson and I, maybe later on tonight, we'll be sharing a drink together. We are not adversaries in this world full of wars and conflict. We use this [platform] to say: You must respect your other. You must respect everyone.”

— Patrick Habirora, via ESPN

What Patrick Habirora said

Habirora spoke to ESPN following his bout with Henderson on the PFL card in Belgium. The mixed martial artist used his post-fight platform to address broader themes in combat sports, framing competition as distinct from real-world conflict. His comments contrasted the sporting nature of MMA with global tensions.

What it moves

Habirora's message shifts focus from result to principle. Whether Henderson responds publicly remains to be seen, but the statement sets a tone for how fighters might address rivalry narratives. PFL athletes often emphasise professionalism over personal animosity in the league's format.

Source: espn.com. Full Patrick Habirora fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.