Former UFC champ hospitalized over complications from weight cut
Former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks was taken to the hospital Thursday night due to complications from his weight cut and will be unable to compete at UFC 192 on Saturday in Houston.
His scheduled fight against Tyron Woodley has been cancelled, according to UFC president Dana White.
“I’m disappointed. Johny Hendricks not making weight was a loss for him and a victory for me. He was not prepared to fight, I was,” Woodley said. “I had already made weight and was ready to fight. This was not the first time he has had trouble making weight, but it is part of being a professional.”
Hendricks’ manager told MMAFighting.com the fighter suffered a blockage in his intestine and a kidney stone. He was out of the hospital on Friday morning.
Hendricks had told reporters during a media session on Thursday that he was 183 pounds and on track to make the 171-pound limit byFriday’s weigh-in.
The winner of the welterweight bout, which had been slated as the co-main event on the card, was thought to be in line for a potential title shot.
Woodley believes he has earned that right.
“I should not be penalized for not being able to compete,” he said. “I am ready to fight for a title and believe that I deserve it.”
A flyweight bout between Joseph Benavidez and Ali Bagautinov has been moved from the preliminary card to the main card to fill the spot on the pay-per-view broadcast, which begins at 7 p.m.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj