The aftermath from the UFC 167 main event lit up both my Twitter timeline as well as my Facebook page. Many of the questions focused on the same issues — not surprising considering the controversial nature of Georges St-Pierre’s controversial split decision victory over Johny Hendricks.
How did I score the bout?
I gave rounds two and four to Hendricks and rounds three and five to GSP. The round in question was the first one. Based on damage incurred, most specifically the elbows landed by Hendricks, as well as few in the stand up, “Bigg Rigg” did just a little bit more than St-Pierre. I gave Hendricks the first round, and after watching the fight a second time, my score remains the same: 48-47 for Hendricks.
Did Hendricks tap in the first round?
When I first saw it live, I thought he did tap. I had to wait until I saw the video evidence to make sure. After reviewing it from a few angles, I agree with GSP’s head coach Firas Zahabi that it was not a tap. St-Pierre’s thigh/knee was preventing Hendricks from putting his hand on GSP’s thigh, pushing his hand back and forth as he tried to gain position.
Some believe it was a false tap, an old grappler’s trick. I don’t necessarily buy it, but if you do then you can add more to your theory by looking at what Hendricks did in the last second of the final round. Another false tap? You tell me.
What is St-Pierre’s personal issue that requires him to take time off?
Since the post-fight press conference, I have gone back and forth with Georges via text. I have also spoken with his manager. The recurring theme I get from both of them, as well as some others in the camp, is a united one: They believe and understand that GSP’s public life is fodder for public consumption, but his personal life is private. And they plan to keep it that way.
Did Dana White go overboard with his comments about St-Pierre?
I was somewhat puzzled at Dana’s comments in the post-fight press conference, wondering the whole time whether or not he had spoken to Georges yet. He did state GSP left the octagon and went right to the hospital, so I figured he did not. Yet, I could not understand why he ripped into St-Pierre.
In a surprising turn of events, St-Pierre showed up to the press conference and reporters began firing questions his way. That’s when things began to head downhill for the champ. I sat there and watched as the UFC’s top pay-per-view draw was heading towards a meltdown with the whole world watching. In a twist of irony, it was White who stopped the questions, noticing St-Pierre was on the verge of tears. Many of us were thankful for White’s proactive approach, despite his strange, reactionary one beforehand.
After the press conference ended, the media jockeyed for position for the usual Dana scrum. White said he would be right back, left the room and went to speak with Georges. About 20 minutes later, he returned and his tune quickly changed. While I felt a sense of relief — that he finally had (what I assume) is all the info — little did I realize the damage had already been done. Days later in various media outlets, be it mainstream or social, White was taking a fair amount of criticism, with some comparing him to legendary boxing promoter Don King.
Will GSP ever come back or is he officially done?
I am leaning towards GSP retiring. After the Carlos Condit bout, I figured St-Pierre had two to three fights left in him. Since then, he has competed against Nick Diaz and Hendricks. From the get go, I believed this Hendricks fight would be St-Pierre’s last, and now based on the final result, I’m split.
I cannot say for sure and am only going on a gut feeling here, but there could be a sour taste in GSP’s mouth based on what happened at the post-fight press conference. St-Pierre is financially secure, so his only motivation was to be the best, not to simply add to the numerous zeros in his bank account. A lack of motivation and disdain may have been the final straw that broke the camel’s back.
But I will say this: For those who want to see GSP compete one more time, there is a slight glimmer of hope based on St-Pierre’s obsession with his legacy and his desire to again work with his former trainer, Freddie Roach. Roach told Yahoo!’s Kevin Iole that GSP texted him after the bout and stated the next time he fights, Roach has to be in his corner. And if I know Georges the way I do, once he reviews the bout he may come to the conclusion it was simply too close of a fight, and that Hendricks deserve a rematch.