Upcoming UFC welterweight title challenger Johny Hendricks hopes longtime divisional kingpin Georges St-Pierre will return to the cage one day.

However, in the event that he doesn’t, don’t expect “Bigg Rigg to lose any sleep over it.

Hendricks said as much in a recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio.

“I hope we get [St-Pierre] back,” Hendricks said on the show. “I hope I can get this belt and get a couple fights underneath me, and he comes back. That’s what I’m shooting for.”

The former four-time Division I All-American wrestler, who has developed some serious knockout power in his left hand, was riding a six-fight win streak before he lost a hotly-contested split decision to St-Pierre at UFC 167 in November.

While Hendricks battered and bruised the champion for the better part of 25 minutes, “Rush” still had his moments and two of the three Las Vegas judges awarded the bout to GSP.

Even if a rematch never happens, Hendricks believes he already proved his point.

“I’ve proved enough my last fight,” Hendricks stated. “And if he doesn’t come back, I proved enough. If I continue to win and do everything that I’m able to, then it doesn’t matter.”

Given his impressive effort against St-Pierre, coupled with the French-Canadian superstar vacating the belt in December, Hendricks will fight Robbie Lawler for the strap at UFC 171 in Saturday’s headliner.

Will Hendricks fulfill his destiny and put Lawler to sleep or will the resurgent fight veteran continue his career renaissance by being crowned the new welterweight champion?