Barring any kind of training camp mishap, a long, sought-after title shot will finally become reality for Johny Hendricks on Nov. 16. That’s the date Hendricks is scheduled to step into the Octagon and square off against UFC welterweight kingpin Georges St-Pierre.
Hendricks (15-1) is the No. 1-ranked fighter in the 170-pound division, earning that ranking—and his shot at St-Pierre—by running off six straight wins. Hendricks’ last win, a unanimous decision over former interim UFC welterweight champion Carlos Condit, came on the same fight card as St-Pierre’s last title defense, UFC 158.
St-Pierre (24-2) defeated Nick Diaz via unanimous decision on that March 2013 card. The victory extended St-Pierre’s winning streak to 11 fights. The win, in front of a hometown crowd in Montreal’s Bell Centre, was St-Pierre’s record eighth UFC welterweight title defense.
Hendricks, a 175-point underdog to the favored (-225) St-Pierre, via Bovada, was asked during the UFC’s recent world tour what makes him different than the other wrestlers St-Pierre has faced during his career (video via Rick J Lee).
The ever-confident NCAA wrestling champion quickly ran off three ways that he differs: “One, I’m stronger than anybody that he’s ever faced. I hit harder than anybody that he’s ever faced. I’m quicker than anybody that he’s ever faced.”
The bout between St-Pierre and Hendricks will headline UFC 167. The fight card will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas fight will be St-Pierre’s first in the UFC’s hometown since he defeated Thiago Alves on July 2009. St-Pierre’s last four title defenses took place in Canada.
Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com