Johny Hendricks (photo via UFC)

By FCF Staff

After struggling to make 170 pounds in his recent outings, Johny Hendricks has moved up to welterweight, and he’s excited to see how it will impact his punching power.

Following his decision loss to Neil Magny in December, which was a fight Hendricks failed to make weight for, he’s been booked to fight Hector Lombard this Sunday at UFC FN 105. Although Lombard is the same height as Hendricks at 5’9, moving forward, the latter could face opponents who are significantly taller than him.

While discussing this fact recently, in advance of UFC FN 105, Hendricks said this (quote via UFC.com):

“I’ve fought tall guys before, and I think that’s what a lot of people are counting out,” Hendricks said. “They’re all saying, Johny’s only 5-9 ½, he’s only got a 70-inch reach, and he’s going to be fighting guys with a 76 or 78-inch reach.’ You’re right, I will be. But I look at it as a lot of guys that have that reach don’t have the wrestling I do. You know what I’m more excited about? To see how my punching power is. I think 185 is a good fit for me.”

“The only thing is, I’m not going to look as ripped as I do at 170,” Hendricks added. “This is a quick turnaround for me at ’85, but give me a year to lift weights and to shape my body into middleweight.”

Lombard will be fighting for the first time since last June, when he was knocked out by Dan Henderson.