Johny Hendricks has made an impressive career from battling in the ring. From collegiate wrestling to the big leagues, he strutted his stuff with authority and in the end, was able to earn the title of a champion. Behind the jiu-jitsu and powerful offensive attacks within the octagon, we find a family guy who is as easygoing as it gets.
Who is Johny 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. Safe to say that Hendricks has always been drawn to the ring. He attended Edmond Memorial High School and while there, he was a three-time high school state and twice the national champion. By the time he was done with high school, his final high school record went on to read an impressive 101 – 5. He enrolled at Oklahoma State University and yet again joined the wrestling team.
In his first season in 2003, he finished 10–0. By 2004, he finished 5th in the country, and his record read 37–7. Between 2005 and 2006, Hendricks won the Big 12 titles for both years along with the NCAA Division I national championships. His record read 27–4 and 29–1. By the time he graduated college, his college record read 159-13.
When the college was over, Hendricks found himself in Las Vegas training at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu under Marc Laimon. Hendricks soon signed with Team Takedown a while later and had his first career mixed martial arts fight a little while after. His first bout was against Victor Rackliff on September 28, 2007, at Masters of the Cage 16. Hendricks won via a third-round controversial TKO. His next bout was with Spencer Cowley, defeating him by a second-round TKO.
In 2008, Hendricks signed multi-fight deals with the WEC which is World Extreme Cagefighting. He defeated Justin Haskins in his first bout at WEC. He made WEC when he defeated Alex Serdyukov via a unanimous decision in what proved to be the final match of his 170 weight class as WEC decided to go down another path. This new development brought Hendricks to the UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship. His UFC debut came against Amir Sadollah, Ultimate Fighter 7 champion.
The bout lasted less than half a minute with Hendricks blocking a high head kick and then counter with an uppercut. Sadollah was knocked down and Hendricks rained punches till the bout was ended by the referee. Hendricks won his next three bouts against Ricardo Funch, TJ Grant, and Charlie Brenneman. He lost his fifth bout to Ricky Story via unanimous decision.
Hendricks then went on an impressive six-match winning streak that stood him in good stead to earn his title shot. That shot came in a fight against Georges St-Pierre for the UFC Welterweight Championship. Hendricks lost the bout via a controversial split decision but many analysts believed it was a win for Hendricks. A while later, Georges St-Pierre took an indefinite break from MMA, his belt was vacated and a title bout was set between Hendricks and Robbie Lawler. Hendricks won the match via unanimous decision but went on to lose the rematch via split decision.
Wife
Hendricks got married to 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 loves to show them off as his followers on Twitter would attest to. His wife is also a huge source of encouragement during difficult spells in his career.
Net Worth
On June 27, 2018, Hendricks announced his retirement from professional mixed martial arts. He also stated he would focus on coaching wrestling. His career spanned eleven years, from 2007 to 2018 and he made a good living off it with a net worth estimated at $2 million.
Other Facts About Johny Hendricks
His moniker, ‘Big Rigg’ was coined from a comment made by his jiu-jitsu coach that Hendricks hits like a Mack truck.
During his free time, Hendricks plays golf and goes hunting. He also spends time with his family a lot
He and his kids sometimes go camping and boat riding together.
Hendricks earned is third consecutive Fight of the Night award in his title bout with Georges St-Pierre.
His MMA record has him winning 18 of 26 bouts losing only 8. He was never beaten by submission.
