It may not be the ideal main event, but former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks is willing to fight two extra rounds and move up a slot on next week’s UFC 196 fight card.
The Feb. 6 pay-per-view event, which takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena, recently lost its planned main event. Hendricks, who’s currently slated for the co-main event, is willing to step up.
On Monday, former heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (13-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) pulled out of his rematch with current titleholder Fabricio Werdum (20-5-1 MMA, 8-2 UFC). Stipe Miocic (14-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) then stepped in as a replacement, but citing foot and back injuries, Werdum then also pulled out of the event.
Currently, the Super Bowl-weekend event doesn’t have a headliner. A few folks, including ex-light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (21-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), have offered to step in as part of a long-shot scenario, and UFC officials continue searching for an alternative.
A more likely option, at least from a logistical standpoint? Promote the co-main event, said Hendricks (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC), who’s slated to fight fellow contender Stephen Thompson (11-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC).
He today pitched the promotion (via Twitter):
Hendricks is No. 2 in the MMAjunkie/USA TODAY Sports MMA welterweight rankings, and Thompson is a respectable No. 13. However, the non-title affair wouldn’t exactly be a typical can’t-miss PPV centerpiece. Additionally, considering Hendricks failed to make weight for his most recent appearance, it’d be a risky proposition for UFC officials.
Still, if all else fails, Hendricks is willing to add a few extra rounds to his planned three-rounder and take the main-event slot, which would call for five rounds.
For more on UFC 196, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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