Hendricks: Last cut so bad I contemplated retiring
Johny Hendricks: “it’s been half my fault. I can’t do that weight cut. I can’t balloon up to 218 and think that Dolce can get me down to weight.”
Top UFC welterweight contender Johny Hendricks spoke recently with Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour, and discussed among other things the brutal weight cut before his last spilt decision loss to new champion Robbie Lawler.
Hendricks, who has to make the title fight limit of 170 pounds, let his weight get as high as 218 between fights. The 48 pound drop, a loss approaching a quarter of his body weight is something that he vows will never and can never happen again. If he cannot change his ways, the sole options are retirement or moving to 185.
“It was either [change his approach] or retire,” said Hendricks as transcribed by Dave Doyle for MMA Fighting. “That’s how bad that weight cut was.”
“It sucks because the last couple fights have been where it’s been questionable. And it’s been half my fault. I can’t do that weight cut. I can’t balloon up to 218 and think that Dolce can get me down to weight. That’s where I’m taking the responsibility. I’m walking around at ’95, and I’m getting my muscle mass back, I’m looking to get my body weight back. … It will also be better for me when I fight, because I’ll have my power back, my steam, and you feel like you’re hitting hard again. That makes me happy. It will help with my wrestling or anything.”
“I wanted to do things at welterweight. That belt is waiting for me, and I want to get that thing back, and if I do the right thing, I might the right sacrifices, good Lord willing I’ll get it back.”
“Let’s just say it won’t ever happen again. If it does, than yes, i’ll have to be 185 or be done. I don’t think my body can handle another one like that.”
Hendricks’ remark that the cut difficulties were half his fault does raise the question of who is at fault for the other half, and why.
Hendricks next fights Robbie Lawler, although the date has not been set yet.