Former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks is currently a free agent after dropping five of his last six fights, but the promotion he's called home since 2009 still wants him back in the Octagon - just at his original weight class.
"I'm a free agent," Hendricks told MMAjunkie Radio recently. "I am up for grabs. The UFC stills wants me. They want me back at 170 (lbs) and I agree. If you're gonna keep giving me these big ol' 85 pounders, I've got to get back down to 170."
Hendricks moved up to middleweight in 2017 after losing three straight at 170 lbs and missing weight in his last two bouts. The 34-year-old won his first fight at 185 lbs before suffering two consecutive second-round knockouts to Tim Boetsch and Paulo Costa. Hendricks also missed weight at 185 lbs when he fought Boetsch last June.
Having won only once at 170 lbs since claiming the vacated welterweight crown in March 2014, Hendricks is still confident he can come back and compete in one of the UFC's strongest divisions.
"I've got to fight back to what I want to get to," said Hendricks. "I'm not that type of guy that says, 'No, I think I deserve more.' I will get back to where I want to be at the welterweight division. I really do believe that."
- With h/t to MMA Fighting
