Johny Hendricks’ 265-day layoff ahead of his UFC 181 rematch with Robbie Lawler marks his longest break from competition since his September 2007 debut.

Hendricks (16-2 MMA, 11-2 UFC) has not fought since undergoing surgery to repair a torn bicep following his UFC 171 victory over Lawler (24-10 MMA, 9-4 UFC). The “Fight of the Year” candidate earned him the UFC’s then-vacant 170-pound title.

Even though he’ll enter the octagon following the longest hiatus of his career, Hendricks’ layoff was supposed to be even longer, as his rematch with Lawler was originally targeted for 2015 before being reshuffled to UFC 181.

While Hendricks previously insisted a slow pace was key to his recovery because he didn’t want to risk a setback, he said the fact he’s fighting earlier than expected doesn’t mean he rushed his rehabilitation.

“I think it was perfect because when I got cleared, we started doing a little testing on (my bicep) and started training hard,” Hendricks told MMAjunkie. “The Monday that I got the call (to fight at UFC 181), I had already worked out once that day and we talked about it and said, ‘Yeah.’ The bicep is feeling good, it works out good, and I can’t complain at all about it. It worked out perfect.”

Hendricks has been sidelined since his first bout with Lawler, but “Ruthless” has maintained a consistent schedule. He scored convincing victories over Matt Brown and Jake Ellenberger during the champ’s recovery period.

When Hendricks attempts to make his first title defense against Lawler in Saturday’s pay-per-view headliner at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center, his inactivity versus his opponent’s activity could play a meaningful role in the outcome.

According to Hendricks, though, his years of amateur wrestling at Oklahoma State University conditioned him to return from injury in top form. If he wants to defeat Lawler for a second time, Hendricks said anything but his best is unacceptable.

“I feel being inactive doesn’t bother me,” Hendricks said. “You have to train hard and learn how to compete with layoffs. I would like to be able to finish Robbie this time. (The first fight) was a close fight and I was injured a little bit, but I think with this one is going to be different.”

Another benefit Hendricks took from his wrestling career is how to approach a rematch. He’s never faced the same opponent more than once in MMA, but if his history on the wrestling mat is any indication, he expects another victory.

“Have we made the right corrections? In wrestling I’ve done a lot of rematches and I would always make the right corrections,” Hendricks said. “I think we made the right ones to make this a better fight for me. I know he’s done the same thing, so we’ll see. Everything’s still sort of fresh in my head, as to where he’s had two fights. I think that’s something that helps me for this fight.”

Despite putting his body through the trauma of surgery, Hendricks points to the break from competition as a turning point in his career.

Not only was he able to reset physically and mentally, but sitting on the sidelines also reminded him that while he may hold the UFC belt, there’s still plenty left to accomplish.

“It’s humbling not being able to fight,” Hendricks said. “I regained that hunger and desire. It benefited me to have some time off and let the body heal, to recovery from a lot of injuries. It’s also the mental side of it and the family side of it. I get to spend more time with the wife and the kids.

“All that stuff plays a huge factor in making a comeback. I’m looking at it all as a positive.”

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