Long-reigning UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre (GSP) has strongly indicated that he'll retire from MMA after defeating Johny Hendricks via controversial split decision at UFC 167 today.
According to UFC commentator Joe Rogan, an avalanche of MMA fans on social media and the entire team here at MMA Kanvas, GSP did not defeat Johny Hendricks today, but alas, he walked away with his UFC welterweight belt firmly in hand.
Hendricks appeared to effectively use his heavy hands and renowned wrestling to get the better of his Canadian opponent for most of today's contest but the judges saw things differently, awarding St-Pierre the split decision victory in what will likely be labelled one of the most controversial decisions in MMA history.
Post-fight, St-Pierre revealed that his opponent Hendricks had hurt him with some savage blows early, resulting in some memory loss from the fight.
"(That was) without a doubt my toughest fight, wow. I lost memory a bit in the fight. I couldn’t see with one of my eyes, he really messed me up. I wasn’t surprised… I got caught a couple of times," he said.
"He was very good at counter my gameplan. He closed one of my eyes with one of his strikes, he hits very hard," he continued.
GSP then dropped a bomb-shell that will dominate MMA headlines for the near future - the most popular fighter in MMA wants to set away from the sport and potentially retire.
"I need to hang up my glove for a little bit. I have to go away for a little bit. Right away, I have to go away for a little bit.Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
A gutted Johny Hendricks however, was having none of it, requesting a rematch for a belt that he thought he had earned fair and square in the Octagon.
"I thought I clearly won the fight. Hey, did you guys see the same fight I just fought? George is a great champion but I'm coming back, I'll get that belt, it’s mine. I fought hard, I countered him, he didn’t land anything strong on me, it just wasn’t my night. I want it (a rematch), that’s what I just earned but it was taken away from me. I swear to god that wont happen again."
Fight summary from our live UFC 167 blog
Georges St-Pierre (c) vs. Johny Hendricks
Round one:
Both men touch gloves and we're underway. Hendricks fires a huge punch and immediately gets taken down, with St. Pierre rolling through and looking for a guillotine-choke but Hendricks is quick to escape and get to his feet. GSP attempts a takedown again, which is stuffed. GSP goes for a takedown but eats an uppercut, as St. Pierre backs him against the fence. Hendricks lands several hard elbows to the head, before turning the tables and landing a knee to the thigh. Hendricks this time gets a takedown, putting the champ on his back and hitting an elbow. St. Pierre gets to his feet again, but a cut seems to have formed on his forehead, unsure where that happened. Hendricks charges with punches and eats a jab, followed by a head kick. Clinched in the middle, Hendricks drills several knees to the thigh, and GSP is quick to return fire. GSP hits a right-hook, followed by a head kick, Hendricks lunges with a big shot that hits just as the round concludes, 10-9 Hendricks.
Round two:
Round two is underway, as GSP fires a superman punch. Hendricks moves in and hits a hard left-uppercut that wobbles St. Pierre. GSP is hurt, and Hendricks is swarming with punches, but the mouthpiece of Hendricks fell out, possibly giving the champ some time to recover. Again, GSP is tagged, as Hendricks backs him against the cage, drilling knees to the thigh. St. Pierre starts landing his jab, followed by a body kick. Hendricks hits a right-hook, as he tries for a huge uppercut that narrowly misses. St. Pierre hits a head kick, followed by a kick to the body. The rounf concludes with GSP missinga superman punch, and both men battling in the clinch, 10-9 Hendricks.
Round three:
GSP hits a low kick, with Hendricks returning a knee. GSP connects with his jab, typically one of his best tools but he hasn't been able to use it today. Hendricks misses with a knee, and flickers a jab in the face of the champ. Left-hook from GSP, who hits a two-piece combo and has really started to put it on Hendricks, who is significantly slower right now. Left-hook from GSP finds it's mark, followed by a superman punch. GSP having success with punches to the body and head, before Hendricks shoots for a late takedown and gets it, but he is unable to get his ground-and-pound going as GSP gets to his feet, 10-9 St. Pierre.
Round four:
Championship rounds are underway, and the challenger looks fatigued. Low kick from GSP, as Hendricks wings his big left-hand. GSP slips, and Hendricks is happy to take him down, and this time he gets his ground-and-pound going, landing short punches to the body and head. Hendricks lets up the champ, who has a cut forced on his face, and drills an uppercut. St. Pierre hits a right-hand, as Hendricks pushes him against the fence, with both men trading knees as the round finishes, 10-9 Hendricks.
Round five:
GSP has his back against the wall here, on most score cards he has lost this fight thus far. The champ shoots for a takedown, but the former OSU Cowboy stops the attempt, turns the tables and backs GSP against the cage. GSP hits a two-piece combo, and drills a takedown. Hendricks scrambles but GSP takes a front headlock, and starts ringing knees. On the feet again against the cage, both men trade knees but ref Mario Yamasaki separates them. GSP hits a middle kick, followed by a low kick. GSP gets a late takedown,but Hendricks gets back to his feet, as both men battle against the cage, 10-9 St. Pierre (48-47 Hendricks)
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