Benson Henderson's cryptic post-fight message was for Georges St-Pierre

Benson Henderson had just finished up a tough win over Jorge Masvidal and he had a message for someone. Who? He didn't say.

"Was it impressive enough to warrant facing off with you?" Henderson said in the Octagon.

The former UFC lightweight champion cleared up the confusion with Ariel Helwani in Monday's edition of The MMA Hour. Henderson had no idea it was a big mystery. The man he was talking to? None other than the legendary Georges St-Pierre.

"I heard there were rumors about Georges St-Pierre coming back and how the guy he faces off against, how they have to have impressive performances," Henderson said. "I was trying to have an impressive enough performance to warrant facing off against Georges St-Pierre."

There has been quite a bit of talk lately about a potential St-Pierre return. The former UFC welterweight champion -- and one of the pound-for-pound best ever -- said he is considering a comeback, but first could enter into a six-week training camp to see if he truly still wants to fight in the UFC.

Henderson, 32, has wanted a bout with GSP for a long time. The two held the belts in adjoining divisions at one point. And "Smooth" knows that when you talk St-Pierre, you're talking about one of the greatest of all time. That is a challenge he wants.

"I have always wanted to prove myself as the best fighter on the planet," Henderson said. "No ifs, ands or buts about it. I know I have a long ways to go. I know I have to work my butt off. I know I have a ways to go. But I want to prove, to back that up so to speak, [it] by squaring up with perhaps the greatest welterweight in UFC history, Georges St-Pierre."

First, though, Henderson must deal with being a free agent. His deal with the UFC expired after the split decision win over Masvidal on Nov. 28 and he plans on fielding offers from other organizations. The UFC has an exclusive negotiating window currently and then will have the right to match for an undisclosed period of time.

Henderson would like to return to the UFC "in a perfect world," he told Helwani, but he also wants to make sure the future of his children -- and his children's children -- are set up.

As for his own future, he would prefer it to be at welterweight, where he has had his last two fights. But Henderson is flexible. He'll go where the gold is.

"I'd go 155, no problem," Henderson said. "I can go 170 short notice. I can make 170 tomorrow if you needed me to. I would beat the heck out of whoever it is you want me to beat up."

There is a lightweight title fight at UFC on FOX 17 on Dec. 19 and Henderson has experience with both competitors. "Smooth" has two wins in three fights against challenger Donald Cerrone and was knocked out in the first round by champion Rafael dos Anjos. Henderson likes his chances against both men in the event of a rematch.

"Do I feel I have the skillset to get my hand raised against Rafael dos Anjos or Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone?" Henderson said. "Absolutely. I would bet my house when I face off against them I'm getting my hand raised against anybody at 155. But there's a waiting line, there's a pecking order. I understand that."

Maybe he did enough impressing to warrant that St-Pierre fight in the meantime.