Johny Hendricks has yet to fight current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, but he's already preparing for their rematch.
According to "Bigg Rigg," should he edge "Rush" in a close five-round battle, or knock him out rather quickly when they finally duke it out inside the Octagon, then a do-over may be in the cards.
Hendricks revealed his expectations to MMA Weekly:
"I'm gonna have to beat him twice. Unless I knock him out. If I manhandle him for two rounds and I knock him out, then there won't be a rematch. But if it's a close fight or I go out and knock him out in the first minute, yeah, there'll be a rematch."
And Hendricks has proven he can do both.
"Bigg Rigg" flattened Jon Fitch in 12 seconds and then Martin Kampmann in just under a minute. Against Josh Koscheck at UFC on FOX 3, and most recently against Carlos Condit at UFC 158, the former NCAA Division 1 national wrestling champion also proved he can go the distance and do enough to outpoint his foe.
First things first, however. Hendricks has to actually defeat St. Pierre. Should the French-Canadian best Johny and defend his 170-pound title for the eighth consecutive time, then a rematch in their case is highly unlikely.
Anyone think Hendricks has a point?
B.J. Penn was granted a quick redux after Frankie Edgar snuck by him at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. Should the bearded brawler topple "GSP," would Dana White and Co. call for an immediate rematch?