Johny Hendricks, Dallas-Fort Worth's top MMA fighter, suffered one of the worst moments of his life before his last fight against Tyron Woodley.

He was hospitalized because of a poor weight cut trying to reach his 170-pound weight class. It forced Hendricks to change teams and add diet guru Lou Giordano.

Hendricks is at 183 pounds and just 13 pounds away from 170 as he tries to get his career back on track with a fight Feb. 6 at UFC 196 against No. 8 contender Stephen Thompson. I spoke to him on Thursday at Genesis Jiu-Jitsu in Fort Worth about his diet, his family and what he learned from his failed restaurant.

What's the biggest difference with Giordano and your diet?

Hendricks: One, he knows what's he doing. (Being a wrestler,) I know how to cut weight and eat good. I didn't know deer meat was so bad because of the creatine. The only reason why I know that is Louis told me. My weight is doing awesome. I was 189.5 pounds and had 15.5 percent body fat the week before my fight against Matt Brown. Recently, I was at 191.5 and 15.4 percent fat. Now, I am actually at 180-185 pounds. I wasn't a big carb guy, but I actually like sweet potatoes. Right now I am so strict, but I could have bread. I go to a restaurant and text him the menu, as soon as they bring it out I send a picture. He knows I have a family and kids for the first part. When I get close I get strict. He told me how I should shape my meals. The cheat meals are done. He's not about weight loss, he's about weight management. Not blowing up to 200 pounds but 190. I might have overeaten and I couldn't get over 193.

Describe your new diet:

Hendricks: I have seven meals a day; oatmeal honey and peanut butter in the morning. Protein shakes after workouts. I can have a kind bar or quest bar for a snack. Then chicken with sweet potato and greens asparagus and green beans portion controlled. Apple with almond butter for a snack. Chicken or salmon sweet potato for dinner. Late night, four eggs -- and three are no yolk -- boiled.

Other guys in the UFC lose 40 pounds from their walking weight. Are they just different?

Hendricks: I did it for the longest time, I walked around 218. There are no IVs now (to rehydrate). I want to do it smarter. I am getting older. I'm trying to get to where I am walking around 190 all the time. If I get there, when I retire I might not get too big.

How's your security dog Hero (a four-year old German Shepard) ?

Hendricks: Dog is great. I probably need to take him up to K9 international to get a couple bites. He is getting antsy; he just wants to hurt somebody. He's been trained so much on protection. He's a high-strung dog.

Johny Hendricks's security dog Hero. (Courtesy: Johny Hendricks)

How's the family (Hendricks has three young daughters)?

Hendricks: I'm getting a baby boy. March 24-April 14 is the due date. That's why I wanted to fight Feb. 7. It allows me to help my wife and start a training camp and fight in August.

Any more kids after that?

Hendricks: We're done. If we wanted another one, my wife and I are looking to be foster parents or adopt one.

What happened to Bigg Rigg Steakhouse, your restaurant near your home in Midlothian?

Hendricks: Restaurant is done. I tried a business that failed; you learn from it and move forward.

So what else on the side are you working on?

Hendricks: I thought about a reality show. I want to try to start Baja truck racing. I want to do hunting and fishing.

What do you hope to accomplish with the rest of your career?

Hendricks: The next couple years, I want to fight for the belt at the end of 2016. The way I am mapping it out, it's possible. Hold it out for a couple years. As soon as my body starts failing, it's time to move forward.

How important is the outcome of Feb. 7's fight at UFC 196?

Hendricks: The outcome is to make weight. (Last time, I missed), I did it bad. My fault. This is just to prove to me and the UFC and the fans that I've changed. And that I'm moving forward and I'm moving the right way.

For those asking my new service dog's name is HERO! https://t.co/exezioGvF5 pic.twitter.com/OsEZ7dwunt — Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) September 3, 2015

3 kids but only 2 foster puppies = 1 unhappy child https://t.co/Pry9EV3Un2 pic.twitter.com/bYjDaUtj3V — Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) December 31, 2015

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