Johny Hendricks 'pissed' he might get passed over for next UFC title shot

Since the moment he lost the UFC welterweight championship to Robbie Lawler in December, Johny Hendricks has waited for his opportunity to regain the gold.

UFC President Dana White said immediately after UFC 181, where Hendricks dropped the strap to Lawler in a highly competitive split decision, that a third meeting between the pair was “not a bad idea.”

Hendricks won the first matchup at UFC 171 in March 2014 when he edged Lawler by decision to win the 170-pound belt that was long held by Georges St-Pierre before “Rush” vacated it to take a hiatus from the sport in December 2013.

Based off White’s comment, “Bigg Rigg” was confident he’d be granted the opportunity to win his title back after UFC 181. However, the organization then decided to go in another direction and book Lawler against Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 earlier this month.

Unwilling to take a lengthy break from competition, Hendricks opted to take another fight in the interim against Matt Brown at UFC 185 in March. He earned a unanimous decision victory that he thought would set up a fight with the winner of Lawler and MacDonald.

Lawler emerged victorious at UFC 189 in a memorable, blood-soaked affair that will be in the “Fight of the Year” discussion at the end of 2015. Hendricks salivated at the opportunity to take the belt back from Lawler. Unfortunately, some new information recently came to light may again postpone his plans.

Bleacher Report reported that Lawler’s next title defense is actually planned against Carlos Condit at UFC 194 in December. Hendricks is said to be booked against fellow welterweight contender Tyron Woodley on the same card.

Hendricks today joined MMAjunkie Radio to discuss the latest revelation.

“I am pissed; you fight and you do the right things and then you get jumped,” Hendricks said. “What do I need to do to stay relevant? What do I need to do to get back to that title? You’re sitting there and you’re going through all these things. Don’t get me wrong, I am still mad, but again, what can I do? The only thing I can do is go out there and train hard and get another win and sort of do a ‘Cowboy’ (Cerrone). You’re ‘Cowboy’ and you just start beating everybody then next thing you know, there’s going to be nobody left but me.”

Hendricks said he hasn’t been informed by the UFC that the report is accurate. He claims there’s been no offers to fight Woodley at any future events nor has he received formal word that Lawler vs. Condit is set.

Because of that, Hendricks said he’s still hopeful he’ll get the fight. However, he’s accepted the reality of the situation if it doesn’t come his way.

“I’m still hoping there’s a chance; you just never know,” Hendricks said. “You sit there and you’ve got to take it with a grain of salt. I haven’t got anything yet. We’re still hoping it’s not true, but like I said, I will gladly – I wanted to do with the belt in my hand – but if I can’t I’ll gladly pull a ‘Cowboy’ and beat everybody until there’s no one left but me.

“If it doesn’t happen I’ll gladly take on the responsibility and get my hand raised again to get that belt, because it’s worth it.”

Hendricks has spent 10 rounds in the octagon with Lawler. They’ve landed 535 combined significant strikes on each other during those two bouts, but still, neither fight provided a clear and undeniable indication of which competitor is superior.

That’s Hendricks’ main driving force to get the fight, he said. Win or lose, the 31-year-old wants to put a decisive ending to the trilogy with Lawler then move on to the next chapter of his career.

“I understand, lets say I went 0-2 against Lawler, then that’s totally different. If I went 0-2 I’d totally get that; I’m going to have to wait until somebody beats Lawler until I get my next shot,” Hendricks said. “Technically we’re 5-5 on rounds in a fight. I’ve won five; he’s won five, according to the judges. Our first fight was ‘Fight of the Year,’ our second fight was a good fight, but it wasn’t ‘Fight of the Year.’ It was still a good fight. Now you look at it and we’ve got to get it over with.

“Let’s settle this and move on to different parts of our career. That’s really where my head’s at. Let’s get this over with and either I win the belt back or I don’t. … Let’s finish this trilogy and get it over with then move on to the rest of our lives.”

For more on the UFC’s schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

MMAjunkie Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show, available on SiriusXM channel 92, is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.