Aug-1-2009
Johny Hendricks: Wrestling with a new challenge
|
UFC Mens Classic Pique Polo Shirt
|
|
By Elliot Worsell
Success garnered from wrestling seems to have gripped the mixed martial arts world like a Brock Lesnar-powered vice. We marvelled at the results of the fusillade of takedowns initiated by both Lesnar and Georges St-Pierre at UFC 100, while the new breed of heavyweight contenders all display shiny wrestling credentials.
If you’re a wrestling freak, it’s a good time to follow mixed martial arts. Furthermore, the standard of wrestling in the UFC is about to get even better. Grab a vest, take a seat on the mat and meet Johny Hendricks.
Though he may sound like a gravel-voiced jazz musician, Hendricks happens to be an unbeaten mixed martial artist gearing up for his Octagon debut on August 8 at UFC 101. Currently 5-0 in his mixed martial arts career, Hendricks is also recognised as one of the most decorated collegiate wrestlers competing in the game today.
A two-time NCAA Division I champion at Oklahoma State University, Hendricks streaked to 56-0 before losing his first bout in senior year. Even then, the loss only arrived in the 2007 NCAA Division I final, as Hendricks looked for his hat-trick. A four-time All-American and three-time Big 12 Conference champion, Hendricks’ mat credentials are as good as they get.
“In terms of pure wrestling, yeah, I’m right up there,” admits the 25-year-old. “You’ve got to think, that’s all I did for 20 years of my life. The wrestling credentials I’m bringing to the UFC are all a result of years of hard work and training. Wrestling is all I’ve ever known and I think that, as far as pure wrestling goes, my credentials would suggest I’m one of the best in the sport.”
Upon graduating from OSU in 2007, Hendricks was given the option of ditching the pure wrestling for a bash at mixed martial arts.
“Three weeks after my NCAA final in my senior year I got a call to do mixed martial arts,” explains Hendricks. “I’d always thought it would be fun to try, but never believed I’d end up doing it. My manager asked me if I’d like to train full-time as a mixed martial artist and I gave it a go. Next thing you know, two-and-a-half years later, I’m fighting on a UFC card.”
Hendricks turned pro as a mixed martial artist in September 2007 and has since strung together five straight wins. Having twice impressed in the WEC, welterweight Hendricks now gets his chance with the UFC, starting with a three-rounder against Amir Sadollah at UFC 101.
“I know exactly what Amir can and can’t do,” says Hendricks. “He may have added some new tricks to his arsenal in the last 12 weeks, but I have a rough idea of what he’s capable of.
“I’ve prepared myself for the best version of Amir. I’ve done a lot of straight striking with Muay Thai guys, no takedowns, just pure kicking, kneeing and elbows. That way I’m prepared for whatever Amir may try and throw at me.”
Hendricks’ confidence when analysing Sadollah’s skill-set is borne from the fact the pair have previously shared many a training session as teammates at Xtreme Couture.
“We’ve both trained out of Xtreme Couture in the past, so for this fight I’ve gone to Striking Unlimited, which is the same place Frank Mir trains out of,” explains Hendricks.
“Amir’s a nice guy, but the only thing on my mind right now is beating him and getting the win. All friendships are put on hold when it comes time to fight. Afterwards I’ll go back to being his friend and talking to him.”
Winner of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) series seven, Sadollah captured the contract, as well as the hearts of the public, with his unassuming and self-deprecating manner, as well as an armbar victory over CB Dollaway.
Dollaway, like Hendricks, is a celebrated wrestler with a desire to do damage in his opponent’s guard. Johny doesn’t need anyone joining the dots for him.
“From the fights I’ve seen of Amir so far, it’s his legs and his knees that possess the most danger,” adds Hendricks.
“You also can’t afford to play in Amir’s guard at any point. A lot of wrestlers have tried that with Amir and have ended up failing badly. Whenever you take Amir down you’ve got to make sure you’re constantly moving, changing position and keeping the pressure on him. He doesn’t mind being on his back taking punishment, because he knows he’s only one limb away from changing the fight.
“You’ve got to be thinking attack and defence at the same time against Amir.”
Hendricks’ incredible wrestling credentials should, one assume, make him an easy face to read at any poker table. The common perception is that he’ll grab a hold of you and take you down, at will and continuously. However, anyone that has witnessed Hendricks so far in his mixed martial arts career will have also spotted the Oklahoma native’s desire to stand and bang.
The striking hasn’t come naturally to this wrestling phenom – but, as with his collegiate wrestling career, the hard work is paying off.
“I knew I had to implement some striking to my game just to survive in mixed martial arts,” Hendricks explains. “I was worried about getting knocked out in the stand-up or just getting dropped and put on my back simply because my striking wasn’t up to scratch.
“Learning jiu-jitsu was real easy for me because it shares a lot of similarities – especially in terms of movement – with the wrestling I’ve done. The striking was the hardest part. I spent one whole year learning nothing but striking. I did no wrestling, no jiu-jitsu, just purely striking during that time. I think that’s helped me out a lot.
“I actually now like to stand and strike. I’ve tried to finish all my fights while standing on my feet. If I take a guy down and he wants to get back up, I’ll just let them. I don’t force my wrestling on guys like that. I’m a fighter who is always thinking of the crowd when I fight. I want to provide entertaining fights, not wrestling matches. If I’m not active on top, I’ll back out and stand up. The happiness of the fans is what pays the bills and I’m aware of that.”
As well as boasting a refreshing attitude to the sport, Hendricks is also knowledgeable enough to realise that pure wrestling won’t get him to the top of the mountain. Although wrestling is used to great success by other standout UFC stars, it’s the other pieces that ultimately make the final puzzle.
“Mixed martial arts isn’t a wrestling match,” adds Hendricks. “There are many more facets to the sport and I’m aware of that. The best guy to watch, as far as MMA wrestling goes, is Georges St-Pierre. His timing is incredible and he’s one guy that I study an awful lot. I need to look at someone like him in order to adapt my wrestling game to the MMA world.
“St. Pierre has got brilliant MMA wrestling and it’s different to my kind of wrestling. He’s geared his wrestling to dealing with incoming knees and kicks and getting his takedown timing perfect when a strike comes along. That’s what I’m trying to learn right now.”
Despite his willingness to adapt, don’t go expecting Hendricks to desert his roots – his bread and butter. Twenty years a wrestler will ensure that Hendricks always has the ability to outwrestle foes, no matter how inferior he may seem in other areas. While some fighters consciously avoid dominating with the aid of their specialist area, Hendricks is prepared to use his calling card when he needs it.
“Wrestling is a good skill to have and the reason why is simple - if you’re having trouble on your feet, good wrestling gives you the option to take the fight down a level to the ground,” adds Hendricks. “It gives you an opportunity to get your head back in the game and start fighting your type of the fight.
“If you’re winning the stand-up, wrestling can also be used when the other guy tries to take you down. You can basically dictate wherever the fight goes. It’s hard to predict what a wrestler wants to do, especially if they possess decent striking.”
Hendricks can’t wait to start dictating to Sadollah at UFC 101. Admitting this is the biggest fight of his life to date, Hendricks, though still relatively inexperienced, believes he’s ready for the big league.
“I’ve got to believe I’m ready for the UFC,” he says. “Even if I weren’t truly confident, I’d still try and convince myself I was. I have to be ready for these guys or else I’ll get beaten – it’s as simple as that. I’ve only been training for two-and-a-half years in mixed martial arts, but I believe I can compete with the best guys. I’m here in the UFC now and I’ve got to rise to the challenge.”
Ultimately, when all is said and done, Hendricks would rather be walking in his own shoes than those of Sadollah.
“I’ve been telling everybody, this fight is a win-win situation for me,” he beams. “If I go out there and beat their TUF 7 winner then that automatically puts me on the map. On the other hand, if I go out there and lose then, hey, I’m supposed to lose to their TUF 7 winner. Amir’s the guy with the pressure on his shoulders to perform. I just get to go in there and enjoy doing what I always do.”
If Hendricks does indeed plan to do what he always does, Sadollah better have been working on his takedown defence. But then he won’t need me to tell him that.
Want to Leave a Comment?