Johny Hendricks uses strong wrestling attack to ground Matt Brown at UFC 185
Takedowns were the name of the game for former welterweight champion Johny Hendricks, as he put Matt Brown on the mat over and over again to earn a decision win at UFC 185 on Saturday night in Dallas.
Over the course of three rounds, Hendricks showed why he was an accomplished NCAA champion in wrestling as he slipped under Brown's punches consistently and scooped up the Ohio native for a series of takedowns.
Hendricks waded through Brown's aggressive offense and countered by clasping his hands, biting down on his mouthpiece and taking the fight to the ground several times in each round.
Brown tried as best he could to find a home for his typical barrage of punches and knees, but each time he finally put together any kind of real combination, Hendricks was already countering with another takedown.
By the start of the third round, Brown was clearly down on the scorecards and he tried to put something together offensively, but he just couldn't find a rhythm before he was planted on the mat again.
As the final horn sounded, it was clear Hendricks was going to get the nod, and the judges agreed, returning 30-27 scores all in the former champion's favor.
Despite the dominant win, Hendricks (17-3) said he still wasn't satisfied with his performance because he just couldn't find the right combination to put Brown away.
"That wasn't a good fight. I'm going out there starting strong, but I just can't finish. I want perfect," Hendricks said.
The win, perfect or not, still put Hendricks in line for the next shot at the UFC welterweight title against the winner of the upcoming title fight between Robbie Lawler and Rory MacDonald at UFC 189 in July.
"That title is mine," Hendricks said. "Whoever wins between those two, I want them."
