Johny Hendricks: I am the true number-one contender
Earlier this week UFC Interim champion Carlos Condit came out and said that if Georges St. Pierre is not ready to fight in November, he would fight surging contender Martin Kampmann instead. The news apparently does not sit well with fellow Welterweight Johny Hendricks, who feels he is the rightful number-one contender to Condit’s belt. Coming off a decision win over Josh Koscheck and a one-punch knockout of Jon Fitch, Hendricks had the following to say:
“Carlos Condit, he said he wanted to fight Kampmann. He called out Kampmann, and he’s done a couple of interviews where he hasn’t even mentioned my name as a top contender. I’m the No. 1 contender, and if he’s going to be fighting anyone, I think it should be me.” – via MMAJunkie.com
Hendricks’s words show that he is feeling overlooked by the interim champion, and lost in the mix that is present at the top of the 170 lb. division. After all, Dana White has been on record saying Hendricks did gain a title shot with the victory over Koscheck. Also, it can be argued that defeating Koscheck and Fitch consecutively should have more pull than Kampmann’s two come-from-behind victories over Thiago Alves and Jake Ellenberger. Hendricks continued:
“We have an interim belt, and interim belts are for one reason: for people to be able to still fight for a title. I feel like I’ve done everything I could to get that No. 1 spot, and somebody else is keeping it from me. I don’t get upset about many things, but I feel like I’ve done what I could to put me where I’m at today.”
Hendricks stands firm on his belief that Condit should face him for the Interim belt before he faces GSP, taking the stance that Interim championships are made to be defended. He has looked impressive as of late and does deserve his shot, the question is, when and against who? Hendricks expressed his displeasure at what he feels is a slight from Condit:
“I think you have to earn respect, and I think I did. For someone to sit there and bypass me like that, it’s like he’s saying that I’m not even good enough to be in his realm, and I think I am. I think I have what it takes to get in there and to win. I want that chance.”
Is Hendricks taking the news all too personally, or does he make a good case here? In arguably the most stacked division in the UFC, who is the rightful number-one contender at Welterweight?
Further Reading: Carlos Condit: I will fight Martin Kampmann is GSP is not ready
Photo: MMAWeekly.com
Earlier this week UFC Interim champion Carlos Condit came out and said that if Georges St. Pierre is not ready to fight in November, he would fight surging contender Martin Kampmann instead. The news apparently does not sit well with fellow Welterweight Johny Hendricks, who feels he is the rightful number-one contender to Condit’s belt. Coming off a decision win over Josh Koscheck and a one-punch knockout of Jon Fitch, Hendricks had the following to say:
“Carlos Condit, he said he wanted to fight Kampmann. He called out Kampmann, and he’s done a couple of interviews where he hasn’t even mentioned my name as a top contender. I’m the No. 1 contender, and if he’s going to be fighting anyone, I think it should be me.” – via MMAJunkie.com
Hendricks’s words show that he is feeling overlooked by the interim champion, and lost in the mix that is present at the top of the 170 lb. division. After all, Dana White has been on record saying Hendricks did gain a title shot with the victory over Koscheck. Also, it can be argued that defeating Koscheck and Fitch consecutively should have more pull than Kampmann’s two come-from-behind victories over Thiago Alves and Jake Ellenberger. Hendricks continued:
“We have an interim belt, and interim belts are for one reason: for people to be able to still fight for a title. I feel like I’ve done everything I could to get that No. 1 spot, and somebody else is keeping it from me. I don’t get upset about many things, but I feel like I’ve done what I could to put me where I’m at today.”
Hendricks stands firm on his belief that Condit should face him for the Interim belt before he faces GSP, taking the stance that Interim championships are made to be defended. He has looked impressive as of late and does deserve his shot, the question is, when and against who? Hendricks expressed his displeasure at what he feels is a slight from Condit:
“I think you have to earn respect, and I think I did. For someone to sit there and bypass me like that, it’s like he’s saying that I’m not even good enough to be in his realm, and I think I am. I think I have what it takes to get in there and to win. I want that chance.”
Is Hendricks taking the news all too personally, or does he make a good case here? In arguably the most stacked division in the UFC, who is the rightful number-one contender at Welterweight?
