White: Right now, I consider Hendricks a middleweight
Dana White: “It’s hard every time. It’s dangerous and we’re not going to let guys do that. Sometimes, you have to protect guys from themselves.”
Johny Hendricks has a well-publicized history of missing weight. One of the keys to making weight is maintaining dietary discipline outside of camp.
However, Hendricks showed up Tuesday afternoon in Houston 20 to 25 pounds over the non-title welterweight limit of 171, according to UFC vice president Marc Ratner.
Thursday night Hendricks was taken to the ER with cutting related medical issues. As is standard when a patient has dehydration-related issues, an IV was administered. Hendricks could no longer make weight, and the #1 contender fight with Tyron Woodley was cancelled.
In great news, Woodley get the next title shot at the winner of division champion Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit. And in necessary news, Johny Hendricks is no longer a welterweight.
Right now, I consider Johny Hendricks a middleweight, said White to Kevin Iole for Yahoo Sports. He’s near-death every time he cuts to 170. It’s hard every time. It’s dangerous and we’re not going to let guys do that. Sometimes, you have to protect guys from themselves.
We just need to be very careful in these kinds of situations. We wouldn’t be doing our jobs if we let this guy keep trying to fight at a weight that he clearly can’t make [safely].
While White’s stance is admirable, the issue can no longer be dealt with on a piecemeal basis. ACs are beginning to address the problem at the beginning, with the amateurs, but something needs to be done at the top, now.