By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY
In decades past, an outstanding college wrestler like Johny Hendricks probably would have focused his post-graduate efforts on trying to make the Olympics. Instead, he’ll make his mixed martial arts debut in a cage match Friday night in Oklahoma City.
The two-time NCAA champion from Oklahoma State says he was drawn by a new challenge, potential financial rewards down the road, the contract he already has with a Texas-based management company ” and a brand of fighting that goes beyond wrestling.
“I really like getting to kick people, hit people and do wrestling as well. That’s what really made me fall in love with this sport, “says Hendricks, 24, of Edmonds, Okla., who graduated in the spring.
Hendricks will make his debut in the pro welterweight division (156-170 pounds) against Victor Ratcliff of Talequah, Okla., another newcomer who has a record of 1-0 and a background Brazilian jiu jitsu. It’s the last fight on a 10-fight card billed as the “Ultimate Night of Champions.”
Oklahoma State has produced past Olympic wrestling champions such as John Smith, Kenny Monday and Kendall Cross. Hendricks says he plans to go full-tilt in mixed martial arts and he has no plan to take a shot at next year’s Olympic trials for freestyle wrestling.
“Whenever I wrestled, I gave all my attention to wresting. And right now I want to be the best MMA fighter I can be, “he says.
Hendricks has signed with Team Takedown, a management company based in Arlington, Texas. Co-founder Ted Ehrhardt, whose other business holdings include an international fire protection company, says Hendricks is among four fighters he has signed to contracts assuring each at least $100,000 per year.
“They get a salary, housing allowance, vehicle allowance. “¦ They have no worries financially. All they’ve got to do is train for a living, “says Ehrhardt, whose group is promoting the event at Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center.
Ehrhardt says Hendricks will earn $2,500 for fighting Friday night and another $2,500 if he wins. “You don’t get much money when you’re making your debut, “he says.
Team Takedown is offering a pay-per-view live webcast of Friday night’s fights on its Internet site (www.teamtakedownfighters.com).
Hendricks admits he’s drawn by the possibility of the bigger money he can make at the highest level of mixed martial arts.
“This is a growing sport, and a lot of people are making what most college kids make in a year in one fight. “¦You’ve got guys making $50,000 a fight, “says Hendricks, who has a degree in secondary education.
And he gets to kick and punch, as well as use arm and leg twisting submission holds and chokes, all against the rules of high school, college and international wrestling.
Hendricks has been training in Las Vegas at a center operated by MMA fighting great Randy Couture (Xtreme Couture MMA).
“I’m just focusing on being the best fighter I can be as quickly as I can, “says Hendricks.
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