Hendricks cites fans and Lawler fear of losing title shot
Johny Hendricks: “It’s not even so much the UFC’s fault. It’s also the fans; whenever they do a polling of the fans, they might want something different.”
Asses in seats love to see fighters stand and trade. The worst of them boo when the fight hits the ground. The very worst shout “fag” when it happens. If you could find it in your heart to choke one of these fans the next time it happens near you, the universe would be grateful.
But the choice as to whether to fight for the fans or the judges can be a difficult one.
Johny Hendricks put on exciting performances vs. GSP at UFC 167 and Robbie Lawler at UFC 181. He lost both, and both by split decisions.
In his last fight, Hendricks ground out a wrestling-heavy win over Matt Brown at UFC 185. It was not a fight that left fans excited at the prospect of paying $50 to see more of Hendricks in a title fight. That likely was a factor in the UFC giving #4 ranked Carlos Condit the next title shot vs. Lawler, at UFC 195 on January 2. Condit is 2-3 his last five, with one of the three losses being to Hendricks.
In an interview with Ground and Pound TV, Hendricks said he is going to do what he has to do to win, and is not going to focus on title shots.
“You out-strike somebody, you lose,” said Hendricks, as transcribed by David St. Martin for MMA Fighting. “That’s happened twice to me, now. I want to make sure that I get the W. Yea, I want to keep fans entertained. I want to keep them excited for my fights, but I also know what I have to do. I have to win.”
“Each judge is different. I’ve fought a lot of places now and I’m starting to figure out what people want to see. If I’m not as exciting, I’m sorry, but that’s what the refs want to see.”
“I’ve been passed a second time. Now, I’m just fighting. If I’m healthy I’m going to fight. I don’t care who it is, when it is. As long as my body is healing. Right after this fight, I’m going to see where my body’s at, take a week off, relax and see what’s next for me. That’s where my head’s at.
“I’m tired of … I campaigned for a fight. I should have got a fight. It didn’t happen. I wasted six months. I wasted six months! I don’t have time for that. I want to fight. I want to get back in there. I want to continue to fight.”
Johny Hendricks fights Tyron Woodley on Oct. 3, 2015 at UFC 192. “Bigg Rigg’ was asked if he thought a win would get him another title shot.
Hendricks said he “doesn’t care.”
The former UFC welterweight champion expanded on the thoughts on not getting the title shot in an interview with Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie.
It’s not even so much the UFC’s fault,” he began. “It’s also the fans; whenever they do a polling of the fans, they might want something different.
It just sucks, because I get injured (after winning the title at UFC 171), I come back, (Lawler) fights (Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown), and you’re the No. 1 guy – c’mon. I fight, I think I win. I lose, for some crazy reason, right?
Then all of a sudden I fight somebody, he goes and fights somebody, and instead of him sitting there and saying, ‘You’re the No. 1 contender,’ the fear of losing the belt is what’s keeping him from fighting me.
I don’t care that I fight (Lawler) again, because realistically, how do you outstrike somebody 2-1 after the fourth round and lose the fight? It’s the same scenario as (Georges St-Pierre).