Johny Hendricks, also known as “Bigg Rigg,” is a former mixed martial artist who made a significant impact in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Johny Hendricks began his athletic career as a highly accomplished wrestler.
In this article, you will know Johny Hendricks’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Johny Hendricks’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Johny Hendricks |
| Nickname | Bigg Rigg |
| Date of Birth | September 12, 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Ada, Oklahoma, USA |
| Spouse | Christina Hendricks |
| Year Married | 2009 |
| Children | 4 (Abri, Adli, Avin, and Rigg) |
| Team | Team Takedown |
| Weight Class | Middleweight (previously Welterweight) |
| Notable Sponsor | Reebok (since UFC 167) |
Born on September 12, 1983, in Ada, Oklahoma, Hendricks started wrestling at a young age and quickly became a standout.
In high school, he won three Oklahoma state championships and established himself as one of the top prep wrestlers in the country.
Early Career
His success continued at Oklahoma State University, where he became a 4-time All-American and 2-time NCAA Division I national champion in 2005 and 2006.
Hendricks transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2007, making his professional debut on September 28, 2007, defeating Victor Rackliff via TKO in the 2nd round.
He quickly amassed a 5-0 record fighting for smaller promotions before signing with World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) in 2008.
After 2 wins in WEC, Hendricks moved to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2009.
Professional Career
In the UFC, Hendricks continued his winning ways, putting together a 5-0 streak to start his UFC career.
His powerful left hand and strong wrestling base made him a formidable opponent in the welterweight division.
Hendricks earned his first title shot against Georges St-Pierre at UFC 167 in November 2013, losing a controversial split decision that many observers thought he had won.
Hendricks bounced back from this setback by winning the vacant UFC Welterweight Championship in March 2014, defeating Robbie Lawler via unanimous decision at UFC 171.
He moved up to the middleweight division in 2017 but continued to face difficulties. His last UFC fight was a loss to Paulo Costa at UFC 217 in November 2017.
Wife
Johny Hendricks married his wife Christina in 2009. Together, they have 4 children – 3 daughters named Abri, Adli, and Avin, and one son named Rigg.
Johny Hendricks’s Net Worth Details
Johny Hendricks’s net worth is estimated to be $2 million as of 2025.
Contract
- Hendricks competed in the UFC from 2009 to 2017.
- His last UFC fight was against Paulo Costa at UFC 217 in November 2017.
- After the Costa fight, Hendricks was no longer under contract with the UFC.
- In October 2013, Reebok extended its sponsorship deal with Hendricks ahead of his UFC 167 title fight against Georges St-Pierre.
Career Earnings
| Event/Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Career MMA Earnings | $1,954,500 |
| UFC 183 (vs. Anderson Silva, 2015) | $500,000 |
| UFC 266 (2021) | $566,000 ($500K show, $50K bonus, $16K incentive) |
| Monthly Earnings from PPV Sales (reported) | $2 million |
| Estimated Net Worth (as of 2024) | $2 million |
Sponsorship
- Hendricks had a sponsorship deal with Bass Pro Shops for several of his UFC bouts.
- This was mentioned as another “blue chip sponsor” alongside Reebok.
- In May 2013, Reebok sponsored Hendricks and UFC lightweight Jamie Varner for a Spartan Race event.
Career Records
| Statistic | Record |
|---|---|
| Total Fights | 26 |
| Wins | 18 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Wins by Knockout | 8 |
| Wins by Submission | 1 |
| Wins by Decision | 9 |
| Losses by Knockout | 3 |
| Losses by Submission | 0 |
| Losses by Decision | 5 |
| UFC Record | 13-8 |
| Championship Held | UFC Welterweight Champion |
| Notable Wins | Robbie Lawler, Carlos Condit, Jon Fitch |
| Notable Losses | Georges St-Pierre, Robbie Lawler (rematch), Stephen Thompson |
| Knockout of the Night Awards | 3 |
| Fight of the Night Awards | 1 (vs Carlos Condit) |
| Collegiate Wrestling | 4-time NCAA Division I All-American, 2-time NCAA Division I Champion |
| Professional Debut | September 28, 2007 |
| Last Fight | November 4, 2017 (UFC 217) |
| Retirement Date | June 27, 2018 |
FAQs
1. Who is Johny Hendricks?
Johny Hendricks is a retired American mixed martial artist and former collegiate wrestler, born on September 12, 1983, in Ada, Oklahoma. He is best known for competing in the UFC, where he became the UFC Welterweight Champion in 2014. His fighting style combined powerful striking and wrestling.
2. What are Johny Hendricks’ major career achievements?
Hendricks’ most notable achievements include winning the UFC Welterweight Championship in 2014 and being a two-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion. He also earned multiple “Fight of the Night” and “Knockout of the Night” honors during his MMA career.
3. Why did Johny Hendricks retire from MMA?
Hendricks retired from MMA in 2018 after a series of losses and struggles with weight management. He later transitioned to coaching wrestling and briefly competed in bare-knuckle boxing before stepping away from combat sports entirely.
4. What was Johny Hendricks’ fighting style?
Hendricks was known for his southpaw stance, explosive power, and wrestling expertise. His left hand was particularly feared, earning him several knockouts. He also utilized his collegiate wrestling background to dominate opponents on the ground.
5. How did weight-cutting affect Johny Hendricks’ career?
Weight-cutting was a significant challenge for Hendricks, especially after the UFC banned IV rehydration in 2015. This contributed to him missing weight multiple times and eventually moving up to the middleweight division, where he struggled to replicate his earlier success.
6. What is Johny Hendricks doing now?
After retiring from professional fighting, Hendricks became a wrestling coach and later joined law enforcement as a police officer in Texas. He has largely distanced himself from the MMA world but occasionally reflects on his career.
7. What were some of Johny Hendricks’ most memorable fights?
Hendricks’ most memorable fights include his controversial split-decision loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 167 and his victory over Robbie Lawler at UFC 171 to claim the welterweight title. Both bouts were highly competitive and showcased his skillset.
8. Why was Johny Hendricks nicknamed “Bigg Rigg”?
Hendricks earned the nickname “Bigg Rigg” due to his powerful build and heavy-handed striking style, which resembled the force of a big rig truck. The name also reflected his persona as a hard-hitting fighter.
9. Did Johny Hendricks face criticism during his career?
Yes, Hendricks faced criticism for weight-cutting issues and inconsistent performances later in his career. Some fans speculated about performance-enhancing drug use or dietary problems, though no conclusive evidence supported these claims.
10. How successful was Johny Hendricks as a collegiate wrestler?
Hendricks had an outstanding collegiate wrestling career at Oklahoma State University, where he became a four-time All-American and won two NCAA Division I national championships in 2005 and 2006. His wrestling laid the foundation for his MMA success.
