Hendricks says he thought about retiring after severe weight cut for UFC 181

J. Hendricks cuts more than 20kg to make weight. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC

Last December 6th, at UFC 181, John hendricks was defeated by Robbie Lawler and lost the welterweight belt. But, according to the fighter himself, he almost lost something else: the desire to fight. In an interview, Hendricks revealed that the process of cutting weight for his first title defense was so exhausting that he even considered hanging up his gloves permanently.

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“It was either change the approach or retire. That represents how severe that weight cut was,” said the former champion, in an interview with “The MMA Hour” podcast. “Part of this is my fault. I can't make this cut weigh you down. I can't inflate to 218 pounds (99 kg) and then think Mike Dolce can lower me to the weight. That's why I'm taking responsibility. I'm already walking around at 195 pounds (88 kg) and regaining my muscle mass, looking to gain my body weight back. This will be good for me when I fight because I'll have my power back, my gas back and I'll feel like I'm hitting hard again. It makes me happy and helps with my wrestling and everything else”, he added.

Furthermore, “Bigg Rigg”, as he is known, also left the door open for a future move to the middleweight division. “Let's say this won't happen again. If that happens, then yes, I will either have to move up to middleweight or retire. I don’t think my body could handle another weight cut like that”, he commented, making it clear, however, that his plan is to continue in the 77 kg category. “I still want to do some things at welterweight. This belt is waiting for me, and I want it back. If I do the right thing, I can, with the right sacrifices, get him back,” he concluded.

At 31, John hendricks has a professional record of 16 wins and three losses. After winning the welterweight title in March last year with a disputed victory over Robbie Lawler, Hendricks lost the belt to the same Lawler in December, also in a controversial decision. Therefore, UFC president Dana White has already confirmed that the two will compete for the title in 2015.

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