Tag: Johny Hendricks

Georges St-Pierre, Johny Hendricks Headed for Showdown in November

Johny Hendricks’ long wait to get his shot at UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is apparently almost over, because it appears he will fight for the belt in November with the bout most likely landing in Las Vegas. During a media gathering at …

Johny Hendricks’ long wait to get his shot at UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is apparently almost over, because it appears he will fight for the belt in November with the bout most likely landing in Las Vegas.

During a media gathering at UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Thursday, UFC President Dana White let the cat out of the bag by saying that St-Pierre vs. Hendricks will “probably” go down in November.

The likely destination for the bout is Las Vegas, although no further details were released during White’s conversation with the media.

The bout between St-Pierre and Hendricks has been rumored for months, but not until Thursday did an actual timeline get placed on when it would take place.

Hendricks has been considered the No. 1 contender in the division for the better part of the last year, but delays continued to happen—most notably former Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz getting a title shot in March despite coming in off a loss and a one-year suspension for testing positive for marijuana in his last fight.

Always the hard worker, Hendricks kept pursuing the belt and even took a very dangerous fight against former interim champion Carlos Condit at UFC 158 in March.  The risk almost backfired with Condit coming close to winning the fight, but ultimately Hendricks pulled out the decision and cleared the way for his shot at St-Pierre.

Now the former NCAA wrestling champion will get his first shot at a major MMA title when he takes on one of the top pound-for-pound fighters on the planet later this year.

St-Pierre will look to make his third consecutive title defense following major knee surgery that kept him out of the sport for over a year between 2011 and 2012.  Following his rehab stint to get the knee back to full health, St-Pierre bested Condit in his fight back before defeating Diaz at UFC 158.

Now, the incumbent champion has arguably his toughest test to date, as Hendricks comes into the fight with a similarly solid wrestling game and knockout power in both hands.

While the final plans for St-Pierre and Hendricks are still in the works, it’s likely the welterweight title fight will headline the major UFC pay-per-view that will take place in November.

UFC officials will likely release more details once bout agreements have been issued and the promotion can start for the St-Pierre vs. Hendricks showdown.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Johny Hendricks: I Have a Better H-Bomb Than Dan Henderson

Expected upcoming UFC welterweight challenger Johny Hendricks is brimming with confidence as he anxiously awaits a title bout with Georges St-Pierre, and his confidence was on full display in the latest edition of FUEL TV’s “Octo-Questions.”One of the …

Expected upcoming UFC welterweight challenger Johny Hendricks is brimming with confidence as he anxiously awaits a title bout with Georges St-Pierre, and his confidence was on full display in the latest edition of FUEL TV’s “Octo-Questions.”

One of the questions asked by interviewed Ariel Helwani was who has a better H-Bomb, Hendricks or former PRIDE and Strikeforce champ Dan Henderson. 

“Bigg Rigg’s” response may be a shocking to some: “Ohhh that’s a good one! Man, he’s been in it a little longer than I have, but I think I can catch him…so I’m gonna go with myself.”

Despite an 11-1 record at the time, Hendricks had little hype behind him until he knocked out former welterweight title challenger Jon Fitch in just 12 seconds at UFC 141 in December 2011. 

Since then, Hendricks has rattled off three more wins over stiff opposition in Josh Koscheck, Martin Kampmann and Carlos Condit, flooring Kampmann in under a minute with his now famed left hand. 

Dating back to March 2011, Hendricks has won six in a row, a welterweight streak second only to GSP (11 wins in a row). 

While Hendricks has had one of the best young careers an MMA fighter could ask for, it’s tough to compare him to a veteran knockout artist like Dan Henderson. 

Hendo, who will celebrate his 16-year anniversary in the sport when he fights Rashad Evans at UFC 161 this Saturday, has notched 13 knockouts in his 38-fight career.

Some of his most notable KO’s came against Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping and Fedor Emelianenko.

Also worth noting is that Hendo is feared for the big punches he lands with his right hand, as opposed to Hendricks’ big power coming from his left hand. 

Fight fans, let your voice be heard. Who has the better H-Bomb: Hendricks or Henderson?

 

John Heinis is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. He is also the MMA Editor for eDraft.com and contributes MMA videos to The Young Turks Sports Show. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Speculation Time: Jon Jones + Georges St. Pierre + October = Double Title-Fight Super-Card


(Or better yet, a San Do Three-Man Fighting superfight for the ages. Photo via Kaboom-Magazine.) 

According to a tweet sent out by UFC Central, Dana White expects Georges St. Pierre to make his next title defense against Johny Hendricks in October, although no date or venue have been determined. Similarly, UFC Tonight recently reported that Jon Jones’ camp expected the light heavyweight champion to be fully recovered from the gnarly toe injury he suffered at UFC 159 and back in action in October, preferably against #1 ranked contender Alexander Gustafsson. This, of course, can only mean one thing: DOUBLE TITLE-FIGHT SUPER-CARD.


Of course, the UFC also recently stated an interest in booking Jones against Anderson Silva at Cowboys Stadium in October, which can only mean one other possibility…


(Or better yet, a San Do Three-Man Fighting superfight for the ages. Photo via Kaboom-Magazine.) 

According to a tweet sent out by UFC Central, Dana White expects Georges St. Pierre to make his next title defense against Johny Hendricks in October, although no date or venue have been determined. Similarly, UFC Tonight recently reported that Jon Jones’ camp expected the light heavyweight champion to be fully recovered from the gnarly toe injury he suffered at UFC 159 and back in action in October, preferably against #1 ranked contender Alexander Gustafsson. This, of course, can only mean one thing: DOUBLE TITLE-FIGHT SUPER-CARD.


Of course, the UFC also recently stated an interest in booking Jones against Anderson Silva at Cowboys Stadium in October, which can only mean one other possibility…

TRIPLE TITLE-FIGHT SUPERFIGHT SUPER-CARD.



I apologize for crashing your browser, but when presented with such clear, infallible evidence as the information above, I tend to let my excitement get the best of me. Plus, it’s a slow news day, and what do you want me to do, write another article about that Yuri Alcantara fellow everyone’s been raving about?

OK, one last one.

We now return to your regularly scheduled programming.

–J. Jones

Friday Link Dump: Wandy Wants “Dream” Fight With Sonnen in Brazil, Johny Hendricks Trains With Tyson, 25 Absolutely Ridiculous Daytime Television Screenshots + More


(Goood…let the cake flow through you. To honor Nikita “The Al Capone” Krylov’s debut, here are the 50 Funniest Caucasian Gangster Photos via WorldWideInterWeb.com.)

Wanderlei Silva wants Chael Sonnen for “Dream” Fight in Brazil (BleacherReport)

[VIDEO] Johny Hendricks Trains With Mike Tyson (FightDay)

Lack of Reaction to Stephan Bonnar UFC Hall of Fame Announcement Speaks Volumes (MMAFighting)

And The Most Desirable Woman of 2013 Is…(MensFitness)

Where Are They Now? Your Favorite WWE Stars of the ’80s (Complex)

Freestyle Fantasy: Hot Chicks Doing Cool Things (Break)

The 33 Most Influential Events Of The Last 10 Years: A Summary For Average Joes (DoubleViking)

Is The Scripps National Spelling Bee Evil? (Deadspin)

25 Absolutely Ridiculous Daytime Television Screenshots (EgoTV)

Weekend Movie Guide: M. Night Weiner Kids Presents ‘After Earth’ (FilmDrunk)

10 Great Metal Performances from the ’90s on American Television (MetalInjection)


(Goood…let the cake flow through you. To honor Nikita “The Al Capone” Krylov’s debut, here are the 50 Funniest Caucasian Gangster Photos via WorldWideInterWeb.com.)

Wanderlei Silva wants Chael Sonnen for “Dream” Fight in Brazil (BleacherReport)

[VIDEO] Johny Hendricks Trains With Mike Tyson (FightDay)

Lack of Reaction to Stephan Bonnar UFC Hall of Fame Announcement Speaks Volumes (MMAFighting)

And The Most Desirable Woman of 2013 Is…(MensFitness)

Where Are They Now? Your Favorite WWE Stars of the ’80s (Complex)

Freestyle Fantasy: Hot Chicks Doing Cool Things (Break)

The 33 Most Influential Events Of The Last 10 Years: A Summary For Average Joes (DoubleViking)

Is The Scripps National Spelling Bee Evil? (Deadspin)

25 Absolutely Ridiculous Daytime Television Screenshots (EgoTV)

Weekend Movie Guide: M. Night Weiner Kids Presents ‘After Earth’ (FilmDrunk)

10 Great Metal Performances from the ’90s on American Television (MetalInjection)

UFC in Talks with Reebok; Hendricks and Varner Partner with Company as Well

Sporting apparel company Reebok appears to be the latest major brand to get into business with mixed martial arts and may soon find a home inside the Octagon as well. Reebok, who sponsors several major sports stars including Denver Broncos quarterback …

Sporting apparel company Reebok appears to be the latest major brand to get into business with mixed martial arts and may soon find a home inside the Octagon as well.

Reebok, who sponsors several major sports stars including Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning along with his younger brother Eli Manning, will begin to dabble in MMA with partnerships recently developed with two UFC competitors.

UFC welterweight contender Johny Hendricks and lightweight fighter Jamie Varner will kick off a new partnership with the company starting on May 18 with the two fighters participating in Spartan Race in Texas.

Spartan Race is an outdoor obstacle course that the two fighters will compete in against one another with Reebok serving as a sponsor for the UFC competitors.

The extent of the deal with Reebok regarding Hendricks and Varner is unknown at this time. 

In addition to working with Hendricks and Varner, Reebok is currently in negotiations with the UFC on a major endorsement deal as well.

UFC president Dana White revealed last weekend following the conclusion of UFC 159 that the company was flying to Boston to meet with executives from Reebok on a potentially large deal.

“Yep, we’re going in and talking to Reebok about some big, big s—t,” White stated when speaking to Bleacher Report over the weekend.

No deal between the UFC and Reebok has been announced as of yet, but if negotiations go well the sporting apparel and shoe company could add mixed martial arts to their growing resume of sports leagues that they work with currently.

Reebok has been a major player and manufacturer for NFL uniforms as well as replica uniforms sold to the public, while also working with the NHL and are the official shoe supplier to Major League Baseball.

The UFC has never had a major shoe or sporting apparel company on board as a sponsor, but this new deal could be a landmark endorsement for the promotion.

Over the last several years the UFC has worked out deals with several blue-chip sponsors including Bud Light and Harley-Davidson, and Reebok would be a huge addition to their roster of endorsement deals.

No details have been released yet if the meetings held on Monday led to any deals being worked out, but information could be forthcoming at any time.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report and all quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dana White: If GSP Doesn’t Want Silva, Johny Hendricks Is ‘Next and Soon’

Georges St-Pierre still hasn’t officially weighed in with UFC President Dana White on who he wants to fight next, but all signs are pointing towards a title defense against top contender Johny Hendricks. Earlier this week when appearing on the Joe Roga…

Georges St-Pierre still hasn’t officially weighed in with UFC President Dana White on who he wants to fight next, but all signs are pointing towards a title defense against top contender Johny Hendricks.

Earlier this week when appearing on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast, St-Pierre said that a move down to lightweight would be easier for him than a move up to middleweight for a fight against 185-pound champion Anderson Silva.  He then commented that his next fight was “probably Hendricks.”

On Thursday, White spoke to Bleacher Report regarding St-Pierre’s remarks about his body type allowing him an easier move down in weight than up a division.  Are these latest comments proof that St-Pierre just has no desire to face Silva in a proposed superfight, or is something else at work?

“It could be,” White answered when asked if St-Pierre doesn’t want to fight Silva.  “At one point before his knee he wanted that fight.  I don’t know where his head’s at now.  I mean saying he’ll go down to 55, he’s a pretty big dude.  It’s interesting.”

If St-Pierre doesn’t request a fight with Silva, he will then have to move his attention to Hendricks, who is waiting in the wings for a title shot. 

Judging by White’s comments on Thursday, the organization appears to be in at least the early stages of planning St-Pierre’s next title defense at welterweight against the heavy-handed contender from Texas.

“He’s going to have to get his head into it, that’s who he’s going to fight,” White said about St-Pierre facing Hendricks.  “If he doesn’t want to do a superfight, nobody’s going to pressure him into a superfight.  That’s up to him.  But Johny Hendricks is next and soon. He’s next and soon.”

White went on to say that St-Pierre vs. Hendricks is not a done deal yet because he still hasn’t talked to his welterweight champion to get his opinion on what he wants next. 

If St-Pierre doesn’t ask for Silva, however, it looks like Hendricks will finally get his title shot and the UFC will look to put the finishing touches on that bout sooner rather than later.

St-Pierre just recently finished filming his scenes for the new film Captain America: The Winter Soldier and is currently embarking on a media tour for the release of his new book.  It looks like a talk with White will also be added to his agenda very soon.

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, and all quotes were obtained first hand unless otherwise noted.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com