Hendricks: Do I still want to fight?
Johny Hendricks: “I’ve got to take a step back – talk to family, talk to the wife, and see what’s next. That was so pathetic.”
Former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks is a on a two-fight losing streak, to Stephen Thompson and Kelvin Gastelum, and they were definitive. In his latest fight he missed weight again, so lost, and had to pay 20% of his show money. And he used to champ.
Make every story count.
Join XP Passport to earn XP as you read and build your martial arts profile.
He spoke backstage after the latest loss with Megan Olivi, about considering whether or not he still wants to fight.
I think I’ve got to take a step back and refocus, said Hendricks, as transcribed by Matt Erickson for MMAjunkie. It might be a month, two months, three months – hell, I don’t know – [to] decide if I want to fight. I love fighting. To get in that Octagon makes me so happy, but to perform like that …
I’m an idiot in that fight, is what it really boils down to. I’m an idiot in that fight … and I go out there and look like s***. Do I still want to fight? Because that fight right there shows me that I don’t – but I do. What do I have to do to get that fire back? I don’t know. It’s disappointing when I know I could’ve won, I should’ve won, and I go out there and look like a pathetic newborn. … We’ll see what’s next.
He was a better fighter; I didn’t fight. No lie: Was that the guy who won the belt? Was that the guy who would even be considered the guy who won the belt? No. Right now, I’ve got to take a step back. I’ve got to take a step back – talk to family, talk to the wife, and see what’s next. That was so pathetic. No lie – I’m my worst critic. I’d give that a D. Hell, I was out there – I saw every punch I could land. I didn’t throw. I didn’t kick. That’s probably the worst I’ve seen myself fight in a long time. Nothing against Kelvin Gastelum – Kelvin Gastelum did a great job. … It’s just that I didn’t fight. That was so pathetic.
I want the belt. I want the belt. I do. But I’m not fighting like it, so there’s no reason I should be in this division right now. But I’m not going to be a gatekeeper, I promise you that. And that’s what I’m being right now. Pardon my French, but f*** that. Not gonna happen.
