Hendricks denies Georges St-Pierre’s claims.
On Media Day for UFC 217 Johny Hendricks was asked about his move to JacksonWink MMA and steroid allegations. Footage courtesy of MMAFighting.
Hendricks has primarily been associated with coach Steven Wright, formerly of Team Takedown and currently the head of War Room MMA. Though Hendricks once held the Welterweight title, the 34-year-old Oklahoman has struggled over the past three years having gone just 2-5 in his last seven outings. His problems were exacerbated by his inability to make the welterweight limit on multiple occasions, prompting a move up to 185 pounds where he has gone 1-1.
When asked about how he liked training at JacksonWink in Albequerque Hendricks responded,
“Loved it. Loved Jacksons. And the reason why I went there is they’ve already trained for me a couple of times. So they know what kind of fighter I was and what kind of of fighter I want to be now. And you know Jackson is so smart when it comes to that sort of thing and Wink is right there with him, you know those two together and then you throw my boxing coach in there… You give me a year with those three –Jackson, Wink, and my boxing coach Tony- I don’t think anything beats me on my feet in a year.”
The former champion was also asked about thinly veiled steroid accusations made by former opponent Georges St- Pierre and the suspicion that his career tumble was caused by the introduction of US Anti-Doping Agency into the UFC.
“I dont really care. You know, if I need steroids to compete and to shorten my life – I got four beautiful Kids. I don’t need that sh*t to win a fight. He’s only pissed off because I’m stronger than he is. Here’s the thing: If I’m on steroids then why hasn’t my body changed? Why am I now looking bigger than I did at 170? Because I’m doing it naturally. I just lift weights. Like I said – the way I look at steroids and all that other bullsh**t, if you gotta take that, it’s like a c*ockblock. There’s something in your head that you’re not mentally tough. You’re weak, you’re a weak individual….You’re a fraud, you really are. I’ve been tested since I was a freshman in college… I’m clean!”
Hendricks will face Paulo Borrachinha in a Middleweight fight this Saturday at UFC 217 in Madison Square Garden.
