Johny Hendricks (Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The world of mixed martial arts is a sport of skill. The skill is to reach the top of the mountain and stay up there for as long as you can. For Johny Hendricks, he is looking for that one big push that will get him back to the top. It looks like he will use the bright lights of New York City to do so. According to Combate, Hendricks (18-7) will face off against Paulo Borrachinha at UFC 217 inside Madison Square Garden.

The match is all but confirmed by the UFC to take place. The 33-year old Hendricks is looking to break out of the massive funk he is in. A former Welterweight Champion, bad luck has followed Hendricks wherever he has gone. He has lost five of his last seven fights, while also struggling to make weight for two weight classes. After missing weight once again, this time at catchweight, he lost to Tim Boetsch in June at UFC Fight Night 112 via KO.

Hendricks’ opponent may not be as known as he is, but he doesn’t seem like a pushover. Barrochinha (10-0) debuted for the UFC at UFC Fight Night 106, defeating Garreth McClellan via KO. The 25-year old is certainly impressive, only going past the first round once in his professional career. That was during his last fight at UFC 212 against Oluwale Bamgbose.

On paper, this doesn’t seem like a big fight. It does have some meaning however. For Barrochinha, this would be a chance for him to beat a former top contender. For Johny Hendricks, a fight against a young, up and coming talent could be a safe bout for him. While not much is gained, it would be a huge relief for Hendricks to try and get back to his glory days.

The expected main event for UFC 217 will be Michael Bisping defending his Middleweight Title against Georges St-Pierre.