Former UFC Welterweight Champion still a free agent

It’s hard to believe it has been almost 5 years since UFC 167 a night where many fans felt Johny Hendricks had gotten the better of George St Pierre.  Following the fight GSP went on to face Robbie Lawler at UFC 171 picking up a decision before eventually losing the rematch at UFC 181.

Hendricks who made a name for himself at Welterweight, has had a long history of struggling to make the 170lbs limit for the division.  Having suffered three consecutive losses to Wonderboy Stephen Thompson, Kelvin Gastelum, and Neil Magny picking up a win against Hector Lombard at UFC FN 105 Hendricks now sees himself on another 2 fight losing streak.

With both of the losses coming as the final two fights on his contract at Middleweight, Johnny Hendricks is now a free agent.  According to Hendricks who has lost 5 out of his last 6, that he has had good showings at middleweight despite the loss, and the UFC is interested in bringing him back at welterweight.

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“I’ve got to fight back to what I want to get to. I’m not that type of guy that says, ‘No, I think I deserve more.’ I will get back to where I want to be at the welterweight division. I really do believe that. 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.”

“Right after my last fight I emailed them saying, ‘Hey, I want to go back to 170. Obviously, y’all don’t want me at 185. I understand. And realistically, the only reason I went up to 185 was because I thought I had one more fight on my contract. So I go, screw 170, I’m gonna go to 85 and then we can renegotiate a contract. . .

“Needless to say, I got two big ol’ boys and it didn’t go the way I wanted it to. But after fighting those fights, it really brought back something in me because I was like, ‘Dude, they don’t kick that hard.’ I still hurt all those 85-pounders with my punches and with my kicks. So if I can hurt 85-pounders, what can I do if I go back to 170. It sort of built my confidence back up to where I believe in my power, I believe in what I can do.”