Prior to moving to the UFC, and eventually notching the biggest win of his career against Frankie Edgar at UFC 144, Ben Henderson first made a name for himself during that impressive run in the WEC. Henderson entered that promotion in 2009 with a 7-1 record, and won five straight bouts, capturing the promotion's title in the process.

What most people didn't know about him though, is that before he eventually entered the WEC, Henderson tried out for a slot at season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter.

His audition tape has just been released and it shows highlights of his early MMA career, and a younger Benson Henderson predicting that he was going to win the UFC Lightweight Championship:

"I fought my way through the smaller shows, now it's my time to dance underneath the big lights. I will win the UFC Season 9 Ultimate Fighter, and I will fight for the title. You are looking at the future lightweight champion of the UFC."

Henderson eventually got turned down, but how different would things have been if he was accepted on Season 9 of TUF with guys like Ross Pearson and Andre Winner, instead of moving to the WEC with the likes of Donald Cerrone and Jamie Varner?

Check out video of his TUF 9 audition after the jump.

Related:
UFC 144: Why Ben Henderson And Frankie Edgar Won't Rematch Right Away
UFC 144 Results: Ben Henderson Win Proves The Value Of The WEC
UFC 144 Results: Ben Henderson And Anthony Pettis Ready For Rematch
UFC 144 Results: Ben Henderson Defeats Frankie Edgar, Wins Lightweight Belt