Dana White: Johny Hendricks deserves next title shot

Johny Hendricks defeated Carlos Condit in the co-main event of UFC 158 and it was his sixth straight win and has won ten of his eleven fights in the UFC.

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Since defeating Martin Kampmann at UFC 154 late last year, he has been asking for a title shot and it appears he will get the next crack at UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

During his post fight interview on FUEL TV, UFC President Dana White stated that Hendricks deserves the next title shot.

“There’s no doubt Johny Hendricks deserves the next shot,” White said. “That fight was amazing tonight. I’m actually glad that it worked out that way. Those were the top guys to see who faces Georges St-Pierre. Johny Hendricks deserves it.”

White raved about the fight between Hendricks and Condit in his post fight interview and the post fight press conference. The fight won the fight of the night bonus, which each fighter earned a $50,000 bonus.

Hendricks wanted to make a statement in Montreal last night and show the world that he deserve the next shot at the welterweight title. Along with wanting to prove he deserves the title shot, he wanted to come in and steal the show from the main event.

“I did what we wanted to do,” Hendricks said on the FUEL TV post fight show. “I knew I had to win. I also wanted to come in here and steal it from GSP and Nick Diaz, and I think we did that.”

He did injury his left hand during his fight last night, but he does not believe that his hand is broken. He said that he injured his hand during a takedown attempt and his knuckles are just swollen. All signs point to him being next for St-Pierre but if that does not happen, he may have to rethink his career.

“If I don’t get the title shot I’ll be devastated. I’ll have to rethink my career.”

During the post fight press conference, St-Pierre said that he plans to take a week off from training and take a vacation. He did not directly say that he wants to fight Hendricks next and said that is up to the UFC. As long as both fighters can stay healthy, a potential fight could take place later this year.