Former UFC Welterweight Champion Johny Hendricks is currently in the midst of the worst run of his MMA career, and since his spectacular performance against Georges St. Pierre, he hasn’t been able to reach the same levels. “Big Rigg” started his UFC career 10-1.before fighting MMA great and former welterweight champion GSP. In the fight, Hendricks gave GSP one of, if not his toughest fight, and lost a very controversial decision after five rounds.
Following the bout, GSP retired and Hendricks faced Robbie Lawler for the vacant title. After a brutal five round war, Hendricks won a decision. The two men faced each other again, and after another brutal five round war, it went to the judges. This time the nod was given to Robbie Lawler.
Following the loss, Hendricks returned at UFC 185 and used superior wrestling to take a decision over Matt Brown after three rounds. His next bout came against Stephen Thompson in the main event of UFC Fight Night 82. Hendricks was repeatedly tagged and didn’t look like himself, and eventually succumbed to strikes at the 3:31 mark of Round 1.
The American’s next bout came against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 200, and Hendricks lost a decision. During the bout, it seemed Hendricks was shying away from punches and just didn’t want to get hit. Watching this was different, as we’re used to seeing a gritty, hard nosed Hendricks walking through punches.
Has Johny Hendricks taken too much damage? Will he ever be the same? Is he coming to the end of his career?
These are some of many questions about Hendricks. To address the biggest one, has he taken too much damage? I think it’s definitely a possibility.
It is undeniable that Hendricks has taken a massive amount of damage, and he really should take some time off. Hendricks returned to the cage just three months after his second fight against Robbie Lawler, and after being stopped by Stephen Thompson, jumped back in just five months later.
Granted, the 33-year-old did take off just under a year after his victory over Matt Brown, but I think he needs more time off. He’s been getting hit quite a lot in his last two fights, and he’s fighting a long, rangy opponent this Saturday night at UFC 207, so it’s likely he will be on the receiving end of some shots. Three fights a year is a good amount for most fighters, but when you’re constantly in wars and getting hit, maybe take it down a notch.
In my opinion, if Hendricks wants to get back into title contention and perform to the best of his ability, he needs to take a big rest in 2017. In order to feed his family, he does need to fight, but maybe just one, for the sake of his health? A late, maybe October, November, or December fight, please?
