Johny Hendricks says he'll wait for title shot if he beats Kampmann
Posted on November 15, 2012, 07:01 PM by Andreas HaleJohny Hendricks thought that he had a shot at the welterweight title signed, sealed and delivered when he defeated Josh Koschek. But much to his chagrin, he was passed over and will have to face Martin Kampmann this weekend and watch as Georges St-Pierre and Carlos Condit battle for welterweight supremacy at UFC 154. Hendricks was initially upset that he had to take another fight but now he's calmed down and looking forward to Saturday's clash with the durable Kampmann.
"Disappointed? You can't really say that because its not in my control," Hendricks said to MMA Fighting about being passed over as the #1 contender. "All I can do is go out there and win fights."
Although Dana White hasn't confirmed that the winner between Hendricks and Kampmann will be the #1 contender, one has to expect that to be the case. If Condit ends up winning the title, chances are that the winner of Kampmann-Hendricks will get the first crack at the 170 lbs title. However, if St-Pierre comes out victorious, chances are that his next fight will be against Anderson Silva rather than a welterweight title defense. For Hendricks, he says he has no problems sitting on the sidelines.
"I'll wait," the bearded fighter said. "If I win Saturday, I'm definitely going to wait."
Knowing that the wait could be up to a year, Hendricks says he doesn't want to give up his seat at the champions table because he feels he earned his spot. But he also thinks if GSP wins, there should be another interim title in place.
"Maybe go for an interim belt," Hendricks continued. "It's already been on hold for 14 months...or 9 months now because Condit got a shot at it and if GSP (wins) then it will be on hold for another year. If he goes up (to fight Silva) there should be an interim belt."
Ultimately, Hendricks is over the back and forth as to whether he will get a title shot or not. All he cares about is doing his job and knocking people out.
"I'm paid to fight, I'm not paid to deal with politics or none of that crap. I'm here to do one thing, and that's win."
Comments
koscheck should be fighting kampmann
no waiting!!! if your the real champ you can fight anyone
How did you figure that one, when Koscheck just finished losing to Hendrix....
doofus im implying that koscheck SHOULD HAVE won that fight -_-
I would think that if Hendricks wins he would be in line to fight Condit or Diaz but he's a couple of steps away from the champ.
Yes...he could be fighting Condit as champ.
Way to much waiting for a title shot these days. Are these guys all worried they'll lose their next fight and lose their shot or something?
After Pettis gave up his chance at a shot the wiser fighters see how a year wait is better than an indefinate wait.
Fighters are far too set on protecting their win streaks. If you can't defend your status as #1 contender than you sure as hell will never defend the title, I have no respect for that type of thing.
I agree. Good point.
Really good point man, guys don't want to take any risks once they reach the top. But then again a loss will drop you way down the ranks...
BTW has Dw even confirmed this is a contender bout? Or is Hendricks trying to talk his way to a title shot and overlooking Kampmann? Kampmann's only weakness is his susceptibility to good wrestlers but I think he has the beating of Hendricks anyway. I'm still not sold on Hendricks but if he neats Kampmann convincingly I'll have to change that opinion.