Johny Hendricks says he’ll wait for title shot if he beats Kampmann
Johny 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.”
