In 2013, Georges St-Pierre defended his welterweight title for the last time against Johny Hendricks. The Tristar Gym product was riding an 11-fight win streak, but Hendricks didn't get the memo, putting together a gusty performance.
Though the Canadian champion emerged with a split-decision victory, it remains one of the most controversial scorecards in UFC title fight history. theScore's James Lynch revisits the instant classic in hopes of putting the debate to rest.
Event: UFC 167
Date: Nov. 16, 2013
Location: Las Vegas
Official result: Georges St-Pierre def. Johny Hendricks via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
Round 1: St-Pierre secured an early takedown, but "Bigg Rigg" quickly found his way back to his feet before landing a significant left uppercut on the welterweight champion. "GSP" attempted another takedown, but the American stuffed that and landed hard elbows up against the cage. St-Pierre delivered a head kick and a left hook toward the end of the round, but nothing significant. Hendricks countered with a takedown of his own and connected with a left knee. The challenger looked very comfortable early, especially with his striking. theScore gives the round to Hendricks, 10-9.
Round 2: St-Pierre opened the second with an arsenal of kicks, but Hendricks answered back with a left uppercut and then delivered a follow-up that wobbled the Quebec native. St-Pierre was clearly in trouble. Hendricks' mouthpiece fell out as the two worked the clinch, prompting referee Mario Yamasaki to step in. The break gave St-Pierre a moment to recover. After the pause, Hendricks scored a left on the temple. St. Pierre countered with a jab before they finished the round in the clinch. The early punishment doled out by the Team Takedown product was the most significant of the round. theScore gives the round to Hendricks, 10-9.
Round 3: St-Pierre landed a hard inside leg kick before Hendricks countered with a left knee. The Canadian was utilizing his kicks well while the challenger's punches appeared to be losing steam. Hendricks saw his first takedown stuffed before succeeding on the follow-up, but "GSP" got right back to his feet to end the round. It was St-Pierre's best round to that point. theScore gives the round to St-Pierre, 10-9.
Round 4: St-Pierre kicked low on Hendricks, but the challenger continued without protest. The American landed power shots on the inside, forcing St-Pierre to back up and slip on the canvas. Hendricks capitalized, mounting St-Pierre and implementing some ground-and-pound. But he surprisingly backed off, and both men were soon back on their feet. St-Pierre fished for a takedown but Hendricks switched the position, forcing the Canadian against the cage. Hendricks landed a few knees to end the round, with blood now pouring down the 170-pound titleholder's face. theScore gives the round to Hendricks, 10-9.
Round 5: St-Pierre displayed a sense of urgency as he went for a takedown. Hendricks, however, showed incredible balance on one leg to keep the fight standing. St-Pierre landed a right hand and followed up with a takedown, but Hendricks once again managed to get back on his feet, clinching his opponent against the cage and landing knees to the body. St-Pierre secured a single-leg takedown, and though Hendricks popped back up immediately, the challenger was up against the cage as time ran out. theScore gives the round to St-Pierre, 10-9.
theScore's scorecard: 48-47 Hendricks
Did the judges get it right?
Before anyone accuses me of being unpatriotic, this was an incredibly close fight, especially in the early rounds. The result really depends on how one scores the first and second rounds, both of which could have gone either way. I don't fault the judges for this decision, because this championship bout was incredibly close.
Rewatching this fight reminded me of Zhang Weili's recent split-decision victory over Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 248. Zhang likely swayed the judges with her superior strikes, but Hendricks wasn't able to do the same here. There wasn't a point in this fight when it felt like St-Pierre was going to put Hendricks away, while "Bigg Rigg" put the Canadian in danger several times.
Regardless of this performance, Georges St-Pierre will still go down as one of the best fighters in MMA history.
