After nine successful title defenses, one would expect pundits to be arguing that UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre is the greatest of all time.
However, the reaction is nothing of the sort, as it is widely believed that challenger Johny Hendricks did more than enough to claim the top spot atop the UFC’s 170-pound division at UFC 167.
Some are going as far as to call the split decision one of the worst robberies ever, including UFC President Dana White.
“The governor needs to step in and fix the incompetence that is happening in the state of Nevada that used to be the best commission in the world,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “It’s absolutely, 100 percent incompetence, and it needs to stop.”
“Does anybody here think that Johny Hendricks didn’t win the fight? I’m blown away that Georges St-Pierre won that fight. And listen, I’m a promoter. He’s the biggest pay-per-view star on the f–king planet for me, and I still don’t think he won that fight.”
GSP, regarded as one of the best wrestlers in MMA, only got Hendricks, a former two-time All-American wrestler at Oklahoma State University, down to the mat three times and got little offense going while on the ground.
Conversely, “Bigg Rigg” scored two takedowns of his own through the 25-minute affair and seemed to clearly land the harder shots during the standup exchanges in rounds 1, 3 and 5, at worst.
However, two of the three judges appointed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (UFC 167 took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas) saw otherwise.
When speaking to color commentator Joe Rogan after the victory, St-Pierre indicated that he needed to “get away for a bit” since he’s been “going crazy” due to personal issues recently.
Despite those remarks from his champion, White told members of the media that “I don’t think there’s going to be a waiting situation” in regards to setting up St-Pierre vs. Hendricks II.
Will one of the greatest champion’s in the history of the sport decide to hang up the gloves at the ripe young age of 32 years old or will he venture back inside the Octagon by the middle of next year to prove his win over Hendricks wasn’t a fluke?