Johny Hendricks: GSP Fought A Good Fight, I Fought a Better One

UFC Welterweight title challenger Johny Hendricks put together the fight of his life at last weekend’s UFC 167, going the distance with longtime champion Georges St. Pierre in what many felt was a title-sealing victory.

But he didn’t win on the judges scorecards, losing a very narrow split decision that is now becoming a matter of opinion largely based on the first round. Regardless of the reasoning, the fight has caused an outcry for change in MMA scoring, which now implements the ten point-must system used in boxing.

Hendricks was gracious in defeat, vowing to never let his next title shot come down to the interpretation of judges. “Bigg Rigg” appeared on tonight’s edition of ”UFC Tonight” to discuss his firm stance on the controversial bout:

“I outstruck him, outjabbed him, I landed combinations. He couldn’t take me down, he took me down once in the first ten seconds, who cares. I made the correction, he couldn’t take me down no more. I took him down. I actually was able to hold him down, do ground and pound. He looked like he got hit with a sledgehammer multiple times in the face and I had a little bruise. You know what I mean? So, I pretty much won the fight everywhere it could go, and it just didn’t go on the scorecards.”

And seemingly millions of people feel the same way. The Hendricks supporters will say that “Bigg Rigg” won four out of the five rounds against GSP, and UFC president Dana White was among them. Not surprisingly, Hendricks is in line with his supporters:

“Realistically, I give myself 4-1. That’s all I’m gonna give to Georges St. Pierre. Next time, I don’t plan on giving him any He fought a good fight, I fought a better one. I’m glad that the fans are on my side.”

It’s fully expected that Hendricks will soon have a rematch against St. Pierre, who is currently enjoying his vacation amidst a whirlwind of rumors about his personal issues. White is in a rush to get the bout signed, sealed, and delivered.

In the meantime, Hendricks isn’t going to pull any punches about how he feels about the hotly contested decision.

Outer Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie for USA TODAY Sports