The Doggy Bag: ‘What Are They Thinking?!’ Edition

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I saw Benson Henderson’s audition tape for Season 9 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Had he made it into the house, how different do you think his career would have been? Would he have even won that season? -- Ed from San Jose

Brian Knapp, features editor: Hypotheticals are part of what make sports stimulating. What if Boston Red Sox manager John McNamara had removed Bill Buckner for a late-inning defensive replacement in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series? What if the Portland Trailblazers had selected Michael Jordan instead of Sam Bowie with the second pick in the 1984 NBA Draft? What if Buffalo Bills kicker Scott Norwood had converted his 47-yard field goal in the closing seconds of Super Bowl XXV against the New York Giants?

Since transitioning from World Extreme Cagefighting to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Henderson has staked his claim as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, his rise culminating with a unanimous decision over Frankie Edgar at UFC 144. Would the reigning UFC lightweight champion’s career trajectory have stayed the same had he not wound up on the cutting room floor for Season 9 of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series?

Hard to say, but I tend to think it would have, as I am a firm believer in the cream rising to the top in professional sports. The roster on Season 9 was far from overwhelming, as evidenced by the fact that only three fighters from the 16-man cast of qualifiers are still under contract with the UFC.

By the time Season 9 premiered on Spike TV, Henderson had already established himself as a serious contender in the WEC, with wins over Anthony Njokuani and Shane Roller. Knowing what we know now, it would be hard to envision a scenario under which Henderson -- even the early 2009 version -- would not be favored against anyone from the ninth season cast, including eventual lightweight winner Ross Pearson. Does anyone think Santino Defranco, Jason Dent, Richie Whitson, Jeff Lawson, Martin Stapleton or Andre Winner would have given “Smooth” a serious run for his money? Even with all the external factors involved with the show, one would have to side with Henderson against any of those fighters.

The more pressing question for me revolves around how guys like Henderson fall through the cracks during the selection process with “The Ultimate Fighter.” For my money, he represents everything the series has lacked in recent seasons: phenomenal physical ability and the kind of personality and backstory television producers should covet. In hindsight, Season 9 could certainly have benefited from Henderson’s presence.