It wasn’t that long ago when former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight titleholder, Johny Hendricks, was ranked No. 1 in the world and sat atop the 170-pound division as undisputed champion.
These days, “Bigg Rigg” isn’t even considered to be among the top 15.
In fact, Hendricks is currently unemployed, having fought out his UFC contract after a couple of fights at middleweight. Fortunately for the bearded brawler, the promotion appears to be interested in another go-round.
Hendricks talks to MMA Junkie Radio (transcribed by MMA Fighting):
“I’m a free agent. I am up for grabs. The UFC stills wants me. They want me back at 170 [pounds] and I agree. If you’re gonna keep giving me these big ol’ 85 pounders, I’ve got to get back down to 170. I’m starting to get faster. I’m working with a trainer here, Ryan. He’s been working on my fast-twitch movement, he’s been working on my speed – quickness, explosion – and whenever I’m doing these things and then I go back and train boxing or whatever, everyone can see that I’m getting quicker and my weight is coming down.”
I guess he was listening to his body … but not hearing it.
Hendricks (18-8) turns 35 in September and couldn’t seem to keep his weight under control even after jumping up to the middleweight division. In addition, his free fall inside the cage only ended with the expiration of his UFC contract.
“Bigg Rigg” dropped five of his last six and was recently finished in back-to-back fights.
No telling if this move will pay off in the near future, but there isn’t much time left for Hendricks to get back into the swing of things. If he can’t make weight and can’t win a fight, there isn’t much use for him in UFC.
Or anywhere else, for that matter.