Johny Hendricks has had an impressive career fighting in the ring. From collegiate wrestling to the big leagues, he asserted himself with authority and eventually managed to win the championship title. Behind the jiu-jitsu and powerful offensive attacks of the octagon, we find a family member who is as easy to live with as possible.
Who is Johnny Hendricks?
Johny Hendricks was born on September 12, 1983, in Ada, Oklahoma, to his parents, Nancy Hendricks and Johny Hendricks. His full birth name is Johny Harvey Hendricks. It’s safe to say that Hendricks has always been drawn to the ring. He attended Edmond Memorial High School where he was a three-time high school student and a two-time national champion. Upon graduating from high school, his last high school record rose to 101 – 5. He enrolled at Oklahoma State University and again joined the wrestling team.
His first season in 2003, he finished 10–0. In 2004 he finished 5th in the nation and his record was 37–7. Between 2005 and 2006, Hendricks won the 12 biggest titles in both years, as well as the NCAA Division I national championships. His record was 27–4 and 29–1. By the time he graduated from college, his college record was 159-13.
When college was over, Hendricks found himself in Las Vegas training in Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu under Marc Laimon. Hendricks soon signed with the Takedown team a little later and had his first career in a mixed martial arts fight soon after. His first fight was against Victor Rackliff on September 28, 2007, at Masters of the Cage 16. Hendricks won via a controversial third-round TKO. His next fight was with Spencer Cowley, defeating him by a second-round TKO.
In 2008, Hendricks signed multiple fight deals with the WEC which is World Extreme Cagefighting. He defeated Justin Haskins in his first WEC fight. He made the WEC when he defeated Alex Serdyukov via unanimous decision in what turned out to be the last match of his 170 weight class as the WEC decided to go another way. This new development brought Hendricks to the UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship. His UFC debut came against Ultimate Fighter 7 champion Amir Sadollah.
The fight lasted less than half a minute with Hendricks blocking a high kick then countering with an uppercut. Sadollah was knocked down and Hendricks landed punches until the fight was called off by the referee. Hendricks won his next three fights against Ricardo Funch, TJ Grant and Charlie Brenneman. He lost his fifth fight to Ricky Story by unanimous decision.
Hendricks then had an impressive six-game winning streak that served him well in winning the title. That blow came in a fight against Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship. Hendricks lost the match due to a controversial split decision, but many analysts considered it a win for Hendricks. A short time later, Georges St-Pierre took an indefinite hiatus from MMA, his belt was released and a title fight was set between Hendricks and Robbie Lawler. Hendricks won the match via unanimous decision, but then lost the rematch in a split decision.
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women
Hendricks married his wife Christina in 2009. The couple is blessed with four beautiful children. Three adorable daughters, Abri, Adli, Avin and a cute son, Rigg. Hendricks himself likes to show them off as his followers on Twitter attest. His wife is also a source of encouragement during difficult times in his career.
Net value
On June 27, 2018, Hendricks announced his retirement from professional mixed martial arts. He also said he would focus on wrestling as a coach. His career spanned eleven years, from 2007 to 2018, and he lived well with it with an estimated net worth of $2 million.
Other Facts About Johny Hendricks
- His nickname, “Big Rigg”, was coined after a comment from his jiu-jitsu coach that Hendricks hits like a Mack truck.
- In his spare time, Hendricks plays golf and goes hunting. He also spends a lot of time with his family.
- He and his children sometimes go camping and boating together.
- Hendricks won the third straight fight of the night award in his fight against Georges St-Pierre.
- His MMA record allows him to win 18 of 26 fights losing only 8. He has never been beaten by submission.