Johny Hendricks has forgone his title shot against current champion Robbie Lawler to face off with Matt Brown at UFC 185.
Johny Hendricks is a great addition to UFC 185 which already has a Lightweight title fight, Alistair Overeem against Roy Nelson, and Sergio Pettis dropping to 125.
Johny Hendricks was supposed to face off with Robbie Lawler a third time, but the champion wanted some time off after fighting four fights in a short span last year, three of which went five rounds. He wanted to fight in early summer which did not fit Johny Hendricks who sat out almost all of last year due to a bicep injury. Now, he is going to face off with Matt brown who last lost to current champion Robbie Lawler as well.
Brown was supposed to fight on the UFC Fight Night 60 card as the main event against Tarec Saffiedine, but an injury put the fight in doubt. No one else wanted to take the fight so now the car dis headlined by a not so great fight between Stephen Thompson and Brandon Thatch. WIth a win either could potentially jump into the top 15 of the Welterweight division.
UFC 185 takes place on March 14th in Texas. The problem it creates is that Rory MacDonald, who was promised a title shot, is fighting in April against Hector Lombard which creates a bigger mess for the number one contendership. The only thing that could clear this up, and if the UFC is keeping it quiet, is if the former champion, who relinquished the title, is coming back to the UFC.
Georges St. Pierre retired with 12 straight wins and having defended his title nine straight fights in a row. When he gave up the title Johny Hendricks fought Lawler for the title and won it, but hen lost it to Lawler when they rematched at the end of last year. If he comes back, he could fight for the title while The winner of Hendricks and MacDonald’s fight face off for number one contendership.