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If GSP does fight Anderson Silva, who should Johny Hendricks fight next in the welterweight division?
RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Johny Hendricks is the only logical choice to fight Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title. Of course, if GSP chases the dollars in a fight with Anderson Silva, then Hendricks might not get that shot until October, if we're lucky. Of course, Silva could insist on fighting later than May, GSP or Silva could get hurt in training, logistical issues could push the hypothetical superfight back a couple of months, Hendricks could get hurt in training, etcetera, et. al. So, if Hendricks decides to stop being a professional fighter and chooses to become a professional workout fiend for eleven months, I hope Dana White books anyone, even Jason Reinhardt, against St-Pierre whenever GSP is ready to defend the welterweight title next. As far as I'm concerned, if you're healthy you fight. Period. I also think it's okay for a fighter and his team to have some say in which opponent is chosen as well. But if the UFC says to Johny Hendricks that GSP won't be ready until fall 2013 and that he has to fight once more between now and then, and if Hendricks refuses, bury his ass on Facebook as far as I'm concerned.
That said, let's say that Hendricks is oh so magnanimous as to accept a fight before fall 2013 against GSP, I want to see him fight Nathan Marquardt. The champion of Strikeforce vs. the #1 contender in the UFC, with the winner getting a title shot. Yeah, I can get behind that.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Nick Diaz come on down! There is no one else in contention that makes as much sense as Nick Diaz. He got played by Carlos Condit and if he opts to return he will be coming back angry as hell, which makes him one of the most dangerous fighters in the world. Diaz has the ability to stop anyone in their tracks with his technique and off the wall jiu-jitsu. This is the match to make, unless Marquardt is ready to go in the UFC by the time it rolls around. Those are the only two who make any sense what so ever, I just don't want to see Hendricks go through an extended layoff because of other peoples decisions.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think Hendricks should fight Nick Diaz. I would be ok if he wanted to wait for a title shot. I'm usually of the mindset that you should fight as much as you can, but he's certainly within his rights to wait if he wants to.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I think a fight with Carlos Condit makes the most sense. He is still the number three fighter in the rankings, and he will test Hendricks like no one else in the division except GSP. This will be another huge selling fight and would make a great co-main event. I have no idea who would win this but, but it would be an amazing match up.
JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
If anyone has ever earned the right to sit on the shelf and wait for his title shot, it's Johny Hendricks. The guy put together a credible streak, then goes on to lay out Jon Fitch, gets by Josh Koscheck, and then lay out Martin Kampmann.
This guy is easily the second or third best welterweight in the world, and he has nothing to gain by fighting anybody outside of the paycheck. I wouldn't hate it if he put the gloves on one more time before stepping into the Octagon against Georges St-Pierre, but the fact is it doesn't get any better than the way he floored Martin Kampmann.
There just isn't anyone else more deserving or even more exciting at 170 right now, than Johny Hendricks.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
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