Johny Hendricks vs. Jake Ellenberger features two skilled wrestlers with heavy hands facing off in hopes of a meeting with divisional champion Georges St-Pierre.
Speaking to Sherdog Radio's Beatdown show, "Bigg Rigg" explained why he believes Ellenberger is a more dangerous opponent than GSP (transcription via MMA Mania).
It's not that it's more difficult (fight) but, it's a little bit more dangerous, you know what I'm saying? Like I said, you don't know which punch will be the last. With GSP, you know where he's going to want to take it, you know he's not going to want to stand with you. He's going to want to go in there set up his jab, throw a few leg kicks, or he's going to get you to the perimeter, to that black line, and you know a double leg is coming. Ellenberger, he is going to try to knock you out before he takes you down.
The numbers seem to back up Hendricks' argument. In 28 career wins, Ellenberger has scored 17 victories via knockout, while St-Pierre has just eight knockouts in 23 professional wins.
By the same token, there is no question of St-Pierre's dominance at welterweight. He is riding a 10-fight win streak that includes seven successful title defenses.
Even though Hendricks has won five in a row, boasting knockouts over Jon Fitch and Martin Kampmann during that span, Nick Diaz will be the one challenging GSP for the title at UFC 158 in March.
Hendricks and Ellenberger will battle on the same card, which also features another high-profile welterweight clash between Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit.
Will Hendricks defeat Ellenberger and finally get his shot at St-Pierre or will Ellenberger or Diaz spoil the party?
Well, the UFC has taught fighters they have to act like idiots to get a title shot, so Hendricks has obviously taken the lesson to heart. Nice to see he was paying attention.
I agree. Johny cant be too happy that GSP let Nick Diaz leap to the front like that, but if other people can get a title shot for acting like an ass, than why cant Johny try the same. I mean JDS also didnt want Cain he wanted Overeem first because he talked crap about him. Seems like if you push a Champions buttons well enough he will help you get that Title Shot.
Ellenberger may KO you with a power shot...but GSP is going to make you second guess your wrestling credentials and leave you looking for answers to the point where you dwell on it long enough where your performance post title shot leaves you KO'd or on a 2 fight skid (see Hardy, Shields, Fitch, and soon Condit)
Johnny started the trash talk a lil too late, this should have happened during the build-up to the Kampmann fight
Ellenberger may KO you with a power shot...but GSP is going to make you second guess your wrestling credentials and leave you looking for answers to the point where you dwell on it long enough where your performance post title shot leaves you KO'd or on a 2 fight skid (see Hardy, Shields, Fitch, and soon Condit)
Johnny started the trash talk a lil too late, this should have happened during the build-up to the Kampmann fight
I used to be an average Hendricks fan. Can't focking stand th guy now. Shut up Johnny. One minute you cry for month....next minute you say Ellenberger is more dangerous...who was just TKO'd by Kampmann. Shut up. Your stages of bitterness are ridiculous.
How does Ellenberger losing to Kampmann mean he isn't dangerous? he still hits like a mac truck and with both hands. i guess fighters should not worry about another's power or skill if they have lost before. cause i mean they lost, so how could they be dangerous.....
I'm not much of a fan of Johnny but it's completely understandable where he is coming from Dana is always raving on about how finishing fights is important which Hendricks has done against two great opponents yet he still got passed over for Nick who is coming off of a loss.
Not to mention he acknowledged that it isn't a more difficult fight. it's just that he has a much greater chance of getting KO'd.
You can have a competitive fight with Ellenberger and get knocked out. GSP makes you're feel like your new to this sport called MMA. It's not always about finishes.
Johnny is taking the right approach here. Everyone knows Jake has that one punch KO power. But IMO, Hendricks has the better chin. When Kos stuck him with a finger in the eye in thier fight (RD.1) you could tell he was blind for a few minutes and Kos landed some bombs. They didn't drop Hendricks so I think he will be fine.
I clearly said Hendo is a legend and rightful #1 contender. He was passed up by a 185er coming off a clear loss, not a decision. Yet he doesn't sit and cry over it.
Not sure if you have a hard time with reading comprehension. But I was clearly comparing Hendo to Hendricks...as they are the ones being passed up.
Not sure how you came to the conclusion that I said Nick Diaz is a legend. But alright...:confused03:
I think Ellenberger is a touch overrated. Yes he has some power. But not that great or diverse of a striker. His wrestling is decent. Not sure about his BJJ. His gas tank isn't the best.
His record doesn't impress me that much. His best win, vs. Shields was right after Shield's father had died, an important person in his career. The Mike Pyle win was solid. Other than that I'm not really impressed. I don't consider a wild, inaccurate, average wrestler Sanchez to be as great many do.
Ellenberger has done nothing to prove that he can hang with the top guys.
I think Ellenberger is a touch overrated. Yes he has some power. But not that great or diverse of a striker. His wrestling is decent. Not sure about his BJJ. His gas tank isn't the best.
His record doesn't impress me that much. His best win, vs. Shields was right after Shield's father had died, an important person in his career. The Mike Pyle win was solid. Other than that I'm not really impressed. I don't consider a wild, inaccurate, average wrestler Sanchez to be as great many do.
Ellenberger has done nothing to prove that he can hang with the top guys.
You just described Hendricks without the power.....
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