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"I had a tough training camp," Hendricks said (transcribed by Sherdog.com). "These last two weeks, I was battling some mean stuff, but my coaches kept me positive. I had bronchitis, and then mono - two great ones to have three weeks before the fight, right??
To top that off, once the fight began, Hendricks was thrown another obstacle in the form of an illegal eye poke by Josh Koscheck that went uncalled. Hendricks tried to shake it off as quickly as possible, but it had a definite effect on his vision, and led to Koscheck's most sustained period of offense in the fight.
"I did get poked in the eye and was seeing double," Hendricks said. "I had to close one of my eyes to see where he was at, but that?s fighting. I just stayed strong and stayed focused on what I needed to do."
The win was another huge one for Hendricks, who had bested Koscheck's friend and teammate Jon Fitch in his previous fight. Taking out two well-regarded and talented fighters in Koscheck and Fitch was big for Hendricks, and he's simply happy he had the chance to compete with fighters on their level.
"Both [Koscheck and Fitch] are tough fighters," Hendricks said. "I feel blessed to be in same Octagon as them. Now I just have to go home and be prepared for a title shot. I fought hard tonight and got my hand raised."
Penick's Analysis: For someone who was battling bronchitis and mono before the fight, he didn't show too many ill effects. Koscheck isn't an easy fighter to defeat, and despite the close nature of the fight is what Hendricks was able to accomplish. He's proven himself ready for bigger and better things. While that may not be a title shot in his next fight, Saturday's win showed that he's not far off from that opportunity.
Jason Grace Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie
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