Henderson is a great tactician, and a great fighter. He's a lot like GSP in that sense. Along with the fact that both fighters seem to win decisively by decision as opposed to a ko/tko or submission. They have great gameplans that without a doubt make them clear victors, but I think this style of fighting has really shifted the dynamic of what MMA has become, and while technically it's easy to admire, fight nights have become more of a "sporting event" as opposed to actual fights. I'll say that I felt ben was trying to finish, and that nate is just hella tough, but his focus on the gameplan is what makes him a great technician, but not the greatest fighter in my opinion.
as far as a role model, to me he's a closet case smart ass who still comes across as quite arrogant while wearing the mask of congeniality. He may not talk alot of trash, but his aura and non verbal gestures aren't exactly the saint that some people paint him out to be. He has a strut to him that at times annoys me, and things like the toothpick deal or facial expressions (if in fact was a reality) show how he's just as likely to display his sense of self assuredness in just as, if not, more of an unsportsmen like conduct as any bad boy of the sport. But I guess this is an expression of what fans want to see, and Benson is happy to follow suite. To me, I'd rather someone be consistent and/or blatantly honest with their self expression as opposed to a half in half out approach that to me is hypocritical of it's stance as good or bad. At least then it's totally genuine and you can call it for what it is, rather than pretentiously taking the high road only to stoop just as low in intent at the end of the day.
but that's just my opinion. I'm still a fan of his tactical prowess, and the skills that he exemplifies in the ring, but he's not a guy I would really wanna hang out with or idolize in terms of a role model.