Johny Hendricks expects 2 month recovery time following bicep surgery
UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks underwent successful surgery on Monday to repair a torn bicep muscle in his arm that will keep him on the shelf for the next couple of months.
Hendricks actually first experienced trouble with his arm about two weeks out from his championship bout against Robbie Lawler at UFC 171 and almost considered pulling out of the fight. The former NCAA champion wrestler powered through before the bicep completely tore during the fight, but he continued to battle and ended up winning by unanimous decision once the night was over.
It didn't take long after the fight for Hendricks to know he would require surgery to repair the damage to his bicep, and on Monday he had surgery to repair the injury.
Hendricks manager Ted Ehrhardt informed UFC Tonight on Wednesday that the new UFC champion will probably sit out for approximately two months before he can return to training again.
Surgery this morning and headed home on some great pain meds poor @ChristinaDH11 @ pic.twitter.com/15b7oobl6m
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) March 24, 2014
Prior to having the surgery, Hendricks had expressed an interest in returning late this year, most likely around October or November. Following two grueling fight camps where he competed in November and then again in March with both being five round bouts, Hendricks was looking to take an extended break anyways.
The injury will keep him on the shelf for most of April and May, and assuming everything heals correctly Hendricks could be back in the gym as early as June.
There still has been no word on the UFC's plans for Hendricks' next fight so the champion will have plenty of time to recuperate before heading back to the Octagon for his first title defense later this year.
