Johny Hendricks

Johny Hendricks – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and legacy of Johny Hendricks — from his wrestling roots in Oklahoma to becoming UFC Welterweight Champion, his fighting style, challenges, inspiring quotes, and lessons for athletes everywhere.

Introduction

Johny Hendricks (born September 12, 1983) is an American former mixed martial artist and collegiate wrestler who became one of the most formidable competitors in the UFC’s welterweight division. Known for his devastating power, elite wrestling foundation, and tenacious spirit, Hendricks’s journey is a vivid example of athletic dedication, resilience, and transformation. His story resonates beyond the octagon — it speaks to the mind, body, and heart of a champion.

Early Life and Family

Johny Harvey Hendricks was born in Ada, Oklahoma on September 12, 1983.

From a young age, wrestling became central to his life. At Edmond Memorial High School in Edmond, Oklahoma, he racked up an outstanding high school wrestling record of 101–5, becoming a three-time Oklahoma state champion and a two-time national high school champion. Those formative wins laid the groundwork for his collegiate and professional combat career.

Youth and Education

After high school success, Hendricks continued his wrestling at Oklahoma State University (OSU).

In 2004, he placed 5th nationally at 157 lb with a 37–7 record. Big 12 Conference championships in 2005 and 2006, and took the NCAA Division I national title in 2005 and 2006.

Over his collegiate career, Hendricks was a four-time All-American, with a final college record of 159–13.

Career and Achievements

Early MMA Journey

After college, Hendricks made a bold decision to pursue mixed martial arts, relocating to Las Vegas to train. Team Takedown, along with former OSU wrestlers Shane Roller and Jake Rosholt, and began building his MMA craft.

He made his professional MMA debut on September 28, 2007, defeating Victor Rackliff by TKO (doctor stoppage) at Masters of the Cage 16. World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).

In the WEC, he secured wins over Justin Haskins and Alex Serdyukov, before the WEC’s welterweight division was dissolved and fighters were moved into the UFC.

UFC Rise & Title Run

Hendricks officially joined the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2009. 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch — the first time Fitch had ever been finished in the UFC.

By 2012, Hendricks’s reputation for heavy hands grew after a knockout of Martin Kampmann.

His next big moment came in UFC 167 (November 16, 2013), when he challenged Georges St-Pierre (GSP) for the UFC Welterweight Championship. In a closely contested and controversial bout, Hendricks lost via split decision — though many observers (including some in the media) believed he had done enough to win.

Shortly after, GSP vacated the title. Hendricks was booked to fight Robbie Lawler for the vacant welterweight belt at UFC 171 (March 15, 2014). Hendricks won via unanimous decision in a back-and-forth war, capturing the UFC Welterweight Championship. Fight of the Night bonus, and marked his third straight fight to receive a bonus.

However, the rematch with Lawler at UFC 181 (December 6, 2014) saw Hendricks lose his title via split decision, as his output dipped in the later rounds.

Later Fights and Retirement

Hendricks continued competing, with highlights such as a dominant decision win over Matt Brown at UFC 185 (March 2015), where he successfully defended his wrestling game.

He later fought Stephen Thompson (UFC Fight Night 82, February 2016), where he was defeated via TKO — the first time he had been finished in MMA. UFC 200, losing by decision and missing weight in the process.

Seeking a new challenge, Hendricks moved up to middleweight in 2017. He earned a win over Héctor Lombard, but then suffered back-to-back TKO losses to Tim Boetsch and Paulo Costa.

On June 27, 2018, Johny Hendricks announced his retirement from professional MMA to focus on coaching wrestling. bare-knuckle boxing, making his debut at the World Bare Knuckle Fighting Federation (WBKFF), though he lost to Dakota Cochrane via second-round knockout.

Beyond fighting, Hendricks has remained involved in combat sports via coaching, mentoring young wrestlers, and staying connected to his roots in wrestling.

Historical & Cultural Context

Hendricks’s career spanned a pivotal era in MMA when wrestling-based styles were increasingly merged with striking and dynamic tactics. His ascent coincided with the evolution of the welterweight division into one of the sport’s most competitive weight classes.

• Wrestlers transitioning to MMA was a common path in the 2000s and 2010s; Hendricks exemplified how a high-level wrestling base, combined with power punching, could be adapted to elite-level MMA.

• His 2013 fight vs. GSP remains among the more debated decisions in UFC history, underscoring how judging, scoring, and rules play pivotal roles in fighter legacies.

• Hendricks’s title win and subsequent challenges reflect the brutal physical demands and narrow margins at the top level: sustaining dominance is often harder than breaking through.

• His transition to middleweight later in his career highlights the challenges fighters face with weight cutting, aging, and adapting styles as physical attributes evolve.

Personality and Talents

Johny Hendricks was known for:

• Power striking, especially his infamous left hand (often called “Big Rig”) — capable of finishing fights in an instant.

• Elite wrestling base, used to control fights, impose takedowns, and defend against opponent grappling.

• Tenacity under pressure: he often pushed forward, absorbing damage to deliver counters or pursue grappling positions.

• Adaptability and grit: especially during his move up weight classes and attempts to adjust to new opponents.

• Mental resilience: his fights were often emotionally and physically grueling; yet he displayed resolve in wins and losses alike.

In his personal life, Hendricks is married to Christina Hendricks since 2009. Abri, Adli, Avin, and Rigg (a son).

After retiring, he also took up a role in law enforcement in Texas, showing a shift from combat sport to public service.

Famous Quotes of Johny Hendricks

Here are several notable quotes that reflect his mindset, drive, and philosophy:

• “Don’t be satisfied… always try to strive for more.”

• “I set little goals and as I hit those little goals I know they’re moving me forward.”

• “Realistically I know I’m an entertainer. When you're exciting, you're remembered.”

• “The wrestling experiences I've had, the understanding I have of my body, that stuff has allowed me to excel.”

• “The only way to beat Georges St-Pierre, there's two ways: knock him out, or do the same thing he does to everyone else, and guess what, my wrestling is good enough to make sure I can do what he does to everyone else. I promise you that.”

• “What I realized is that no matter what you do, you're not alone in life. Every accomplishment worth a salt, there is someone else there who played a role and took a part.”

• “I’ve been under the lights since my freshman year of high school. I’ve been competing my whole life. Who cares about the spotlight?”

• “I’ve been blessed with athleticism … but I’m really grateful that I learned how to … just suck it up and realize that even though I'm not at my best in a given situation, it doesn’t matter. You still have to get the job done.”

These quotes suggest his relentless drive, self-awareness, humility, and recognition of collective effort.

Lessons from Johny Hendricks

1. Build from a strong foundation
   Hendricks’s collegiate wrestling mastery provided a platform upon which he could layer striking, conditioning, and MMA techniques.

2. Small goals lead to big gains
   His philosophy of incremental goals teaches that progress is cumulative — not just for fighters, but for anyone chasing excellence.

3. Resilience in adversity
   Losses, controversies, weight challenges — Hendricks faced them but continued evolving. True strength includes persistence beyond setbacks.

4. Adaptation is crucial
   Moving weight classes or modifying fight plans mid-career demands mental flexibility and honest self-assessment.

5. Team and support matter
   Behind every champion is a network of coaches, partners, family. Hendricks acknowledged others’ roles in his success.

6. Purpose beyond the fight
   His shift to coaching, community work, and service shows that one’s identity can be richer than their competition record.

Legacy and Influence

Johny Hendricks leaves a multifaceted legacy:

• As UFC Welterweight Champion, he sits among notable champions of his era.

• His bouts (especially vs. GSP and Lawler) continue to be debated in MMA circles, contributing to discussion around judging, fight style, and scoring.

• He exemplifies the path of wrestlers crossing into MMA — showing that elite grapplers can evolve into multifaceted fighters.

• Many younger athletes cite him as inspiration for combining grit, power, and grappling acumen.

• Through coaching and mentoring, his influence continues beyond his active fighting years.

Conclusion

Johny Hendricks, born September 12, 1983, is more than a fighter — he is an emblem of strength, ambition, and adaptation. From a standout high school wrestler to NCAA champion, from UFC contender to champion, and finally to mentor and coach, his journey offers lessons in discipline, humility, and tenacity.

His path reminds us that success is rarely linear, that loss can teach, and that the character built in struggle endures. If you’d like, I can also curate a timeline of his fights, a gallery of his training evolution, or a deeper dive into his most memorable bouts. Do you want me to prepare that?