All the divisions in the UFC tend to go through a cycle. One year, overrun with dangerous contenders and then the next seemingly lacking in talent. As early 2016 unfolds, it appears the Welterweight division is heating up.
For evidence of that, simply turn to Saturday night.
It was all supposed to be different for Johny Hendricks. Coming into the fight in phenomenal shape, cruising through a weight cut that defeated him in the past, the former Welterweight champion looked set to defeat a worthy foe, before beginning to climb the ladder towards championship gold.
Instead, the man who went ten rounds with heavy-hitter Robbie Lawler was dropped inside one against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. Wonderboy, now 12-1, not only defeated Hendricks, he starched him.
Thompson went into the bout as the fairly large underdog, despite a colourful past in kickboxing, many speculated that Hendricks’s grinding style would be too much for Thompson to hold off. The way it played out was vastly different, with Hendricks unable to get near his opponent, as well as looking utterly bemused by the flashy kicks headed his way.
The loss marks Hendricks’s third in his last five bouts, bringing his record to 17-4.
“Stephen Thompson was just a better man tonight,” Hendricks said at the post-fight press conference. “What can I say? He performed. I hesitated. I don’t hesitate usually. A lot of it goes into preparation. I switched camps and all these other things. But no excuses. He was just a better man.”
Thompson’s victory sent out a huge message to the rest of the Welterweight division, and now 170lbs is starting to once again look like the most competitive division in the company. Carlos Condit, Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, and now Thompson are all in the conversation for the next shot at Lawler’s title belt.
There are (of course) also rumours of a certain Canadian’s return that could affect future plans, but for now Lawler’s next dance partner is unknown.
For Condit, the argument is based on how close their first fight was. A fight of the year contender that took place just days into 2016, Lawler and Condit went to war. The decision (split in favour of Lawler) was largely considered controversial as many felt Condit had done enough to win the majority of the rounds.
Maia defeated Gunner Nelson at UFC 194 in December, and proclaimed he felt the UFC ranking system was completely flawed, and that he deserved a shot at the belt due to the names he has victories over.
With Woodley, who probably suffers the most from the division’s murky waters, a prolonged absence while he waited for a title shot that has repeatedly been taken from his grasp has kept him out of the cage for over a year.
With Thompson’s destruction of Hendricks, one wonders if Woodley, who earned the title shot after Hendricks pulled out of a scheduled bout in October, will have to don the gloves in order to cement his chance at the title.
Indeed, it now looks as if it’s Thompson who looks like he’s in the driving seat. Moments after having his hand raised, Thompson took the opportunity to ask for his title shot during his interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan.
“I was expecting to go five, five minute rounds with Johny Hendricks,” Thompson said at the post-fight press conference. “He’s a tough guy man. As tough as they come. He’s been ten rounds with Robbie Lawler, i just stuck to my gameplan, kept him at the end of my hands and feet. and the game plan worked it to a point.”
“I felt at home, I felt comfortable. Johny, he’s strong man, he’s a strong dude. I knew if I could have stuffed that takedown and get back to the center, I could put him away. So that’s exactly what we worked on, and that’s exactly what I did.
“Defeating Johny Hendricks, he’s a tough guy, number 2 ranked guy, former welterweight champion, I’m asking for the title man. I know there’s a lot of guys in line, but I think I deserve it.”
