Johny Hendricks
Active 2009–present · rated in 2 editions · peak overall 88.0
Scouting report
Winning the UFC Welterweight Championship against Robbie Lawler after delivering one-punch knockouts of Jon Fitch (12 seconds) and Martin Kampmann (46 seconds), Johny "Bigg Rigg" Hendricks fought with left-hand power. Born in Ada, Oklahoma, the two-time NCAA Division I National Champion at Oklahoma State blended wrestling with knockout power, reflected in a 93 Wrestling, 88 Strength, and 88 Boxing.
Peak ratings
By edition
Hendricks authored a rise from 2011 to 2013, knocking out Jon Fitch in 12 seconds, flattening Martin Kampmann in 46 seconds, and out-wrestling Carlos Condit at UFC 158 before pushing champion Georges St-Pierre to a controversial split decision at UFC 167 in Las Vegas. His NCAA Division I wrestling and left-hand knockout power are reflected in an 87 Boxing and 93 Wrestling.
Hendricks captured the vacant UFC Welterweight Championship in March 2014 at UFC 171 in Dallas, defeating Robbie Lawler in a five-round fight before dropping the belt to Lawler in a split-decision rematch at UFC 181 and defeating Matt Brown by unanimous decision at UFC 185. His power punching hooks, low takedowns, and championship grit justify his 88 Boxing and 93 Wrestling.
Johny Hendricks and the left hand that ended nights
Johny Hendricks wrestled at Oklahoma State and then took that base into MMA with a left hand that could end a fight. He knocked out Josh Koscheck at UFC 141 and later won the welterweight title by beating Robbie Lawler. In a draft, he offers the odd mix of high-level wrestling and knockout power.
Hendricks attribute by attribute
Boxing. A strong point. His left hand is a real weapon and he is willing to trade.
Kickboxing. The lowest area. Kicks are not a big part of his game.
Wrestling. The top mark. Oklahoma State pedigree, strong takedown defence and heavy top control.
BJJ. Solid. He is competent but does not hunt submissions.
Strength. Excellent. He is thick for welterweight and it helps his clinch and his power.
Durability. Tough. He took shots and stayed on his feet in tough fights.
Cardio. Good. He was sturdy over three rounds, though five rounds were a tougher test.
Fight IQ. Solid. He worked out what he did well and stuck to it.
The base of the build: Wrestling
Wrestling is Hendricks' best rating. It gave him a way to win rounds even on days when the left hand was not landing, and it let him dictate where the fight went. He is a strong choice for a lineup that needs a wrestler with knockout power.
What he does not offer: Kickboxing
Kickboxing is the lowest mark. He rarely used his legs as weapons, so an opponent who can stay at range may make him uncomfortable. Complement him with a kicker or a fighter who can handle distance.
Keep exploring
Closest welterweight profiles to Johny Hendricks, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Tyron Woodleybest wrestling 93 · weakest kickboxing 78
- Kelvin Gastelumbest boxing 86 · weakest kickboxing 74
- Josh Koscheckbest wrestling 89 · weakest kickboxing 70
- Jake Ellenbergerbest boxing 86 · weakest bjj 72
- Welterweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Johny Hendricks's strongest attribute, Wrestling.
Draft Johny Hendricks into your build
Johny Hendricks enters the pool on any spin landing on welterweight between 2010 and 2015. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Johny Hendricks is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Johny Hendricks's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.