The rise and fall of Johny Hendricks

When Canadian pay-per-view magnet Georges St-Pierre willingly ended his welterweight title reign in 2013, most agreed that red-hot contender Johny Hendricks was the heir apparent to the 170-pound throne.

As St-Pierre, the pound-for-pound-ranked champion, exited the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, his future, and the future of the welterweight division he lorded over for the previous six years, was a complete mystery.

“I have to hang up my gloves for a little bit,” a battered-and-bruised St-Pierre said following his ninth successful title defence. “Thank you to the UFC for giving me the chance. I am very emotional.”

Equally as emotional that night was Hendricks. The big-bearded former USO Cowboy took St-Pierre to the limits, winning the fight on most fans’ and media members’ unofficial scorecards.

Two of the three cage-side judges disagreed, though, awarding the fight to the long-standing French-Canadian champion. The Las Vegas crowd vociferously booed the call, as the big-bearded fighter dropped to his knees, bowing his head and blankly staring at the blood-spattered battlefield he fought on.

St-Pierre officially ended his 2200-day title run days later, leaving the prestigious title without an owner.

To decide a new king at 170 pounds, UFC matchmakers booked Hendricks against surging knockout artist Robbie Lawler.

Hendricks narrowly defeated the former Pat Miletich student, finally capturing the championship that most felt he deserved months earlier.

The Texas-based power wrestler never defended the title, though, losing it to Lawler in a nail-biter later in the 2014 season.

In the losing effort, Hendricks showed all the characteristics of a great, yet flawed fighter. The 32-year-old looked outstanding in the early rounds but got less effective and less dangerous with every minute that ticked by – allowing the ‘Ruthless’ challenger to steal the last few rounds, and subsequently, the title.

UFC officials considered giving Hendricks an automatic rematch but cautioned against it, instead featuring the recently dethroned champ in a bout against tough-as-nails journeyman Matt Brown – a fight Hendricks comfortably won.

The two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion aimed to cement another title shot last October when he was paired against former Strikeforce title challenger Tyron Woodley.

Hendricks never made it to the cage, though, suffering a blockage in his intestine while cutting weight, as well as a kidney stone. He was rushed to the emergency room and off the pay-per-view line-up.

That was a scary situation for the seasoned prize fighter, but one he seemingly rectified. A lean and mean Hendricks entered the Octagon this past Sunday looking better than ever.

‘The Big Rigg’ appeared ready to fight five hard rounds if required, but only lasted a few minutes locked in the cage with promising yet unproven fighter Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thomson.

The enormous betting underdog staggered Hendricks with a straight-left and put the nail in his coffin with a flurry of punches to finish the fight at 3:31 of Round 1.

It’s just another bump in the turbulent road for Hendricks in the post-St-Pierre world that he was expected to excel in.

And at 32, this could be the closest Hendricks comes to getting the shiny gold UFC belt wrapped around his waist again.

Don’t get me wrong, ‘The Big Rigg’ is still an excellent fighter, but the hard-nosed Texan competes in one of the most talent-rich weight classes in mixed martial arts history.

He would need to collect several noteworthy scalps – and keep his weight issues in check – to make a strong enough case to even get another title fight.

It’s possible, but probably not very likely.