Johny Hendricks Questions If He Even Wants To Fight Anymore

In an interview with UFC.com, Johny Hendricks (17-5 MMA, 12-5 UFC) spoke about his UFC 200 loss to Kelvin Gastelum (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC), questioning if he even wants to keep fighting. Here are highlights:

On his performance against Gastelum: “I think I’ve got to take a step back and refocus. It might be a month, two months, three months (to) – hell, I don’t know – decide if I want to fight. I love fighting. To get in that octagon makes me so happy, but to perform like that…I’m an idiot in that fight, is what it really boils down to. I’m an idiot in that fight … and I go out there and look like (expletive). Do I still want to fight? Because that fight right there shows me that I don’t – but I do. What do I have to do to get that fire back? I don’t know. It’s disappointing when I know I could’ve won, I should’ve won, and I go out there and look like a pathetic newborn. … We’ll see what’s next.”

On Gastelum’s win: “He was a better fighter; I didn’t fight. No lie: Was that the guy who won the belt? Was that the guy who would even be considered the guy who won the belt? No. Right now, I’ve got to take a step back. I’ve got to take a step back – talk to family, talk to the wife, and see what’s next. That was so pathetic. No lie – I’m my worst critic. I’d give that a D. Hell, I was out there – I saw every punch I could land. I didn’t throw. I didn’t kick. That’s probably the worst I’ve seen myself fight in a long time. Nothing against Kelvin Gastelum – Kelvin Gastelum did a great job. … It’s just that I didn’t fight. That was so pathetic.”

On wanting a title shot: “I want the belt. I want the belt. I do. But I’m not fighting like it, so there’s no reason I should be in this division right now. But I’m not going to be a gatekeeper, I promise you that. And that’s what I’m being right now. Pardon my French, but (expletive) that. Not gonna happen.”

Credit: mmajunkie.com