Johny Hendricks Promises that Stephen Thompson Fight Won’t Be a Decision

Stephen Thompson used a devastating left to complete an impressive first-round knockout against former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks and catapult himself into title contention in the main event of UFC’s Fight Night on Saturday night.

Hendricks did a good job in the opening moments of the fight, closing the distance and taking Thompson to one knee up against the fence, where he landed several punches to the face and knees to the thigh. The stakes of the fight guaranteed a motivated Hendricks, who badly needed a win after a rough stretch that saw his reputation take a hit.

“I hope it’s the guy who’s gonna try to knock me out”, Thompson said. “(Martin) Kampmann was going to beat me in the striking world.

Johny Hendricks has shared the Octagon with the likes of Georges St-Pierre, Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit. I have more energy because I’m eating and I’m fueling right.

Although the books are asking -220 to back Hendricks on Saturday night, I believe the true odds reflect the price should be a lot higher. “If I lose anytime in my career it’s the worst thing that could happen, right?” He represents Team Takedown which is fitting since his wrestling pedigree has been the foundation for Hendricks’ success in mixed martial arts. I am confident “Bigg Rigg” will have his hand raised when all the dust settles, whether he lands the big shot of systematically breaks “Wonderboy” down over five rounds. “I want that title around my waist, I mean who doesn’t?” That’s every fight plan that I have. He said, “I don’t make any game plans for any match”. “Whenever I hear people sit there and say ‘he’s a better striker than you, ‘ I’m like really?” Because he did karate for his whole entire life? A body kick, a spinning kick and then a solid one two.

“Fighting Johny Hendricks is definitely my goal as a fighter”, Thompson told MMA Junkie.

Hendricks is more than happy to welcome him to the big leagues, but Thompson might not like it once he arrives. Who else? Josh Koscheck is going to outstrike me and outwrestle me. Hendricks is a former welterweight champion looking to get the belt back and has struggled with his weight recently.

“I’m looking at this fight as a title fight”. So I lose more than I want to. So I need to make sure I’m focused on the task at hand and that’s why we’re saying one fight at a time.

“Also, everything I do this week is going to benefit me further in my career, and that’s really what it’s about”.