LAS VEGAS -- Georges St-Pierre successfully defended the UFC welterweight title a ninth time Saturday, beating Johny Hendricks by split decision before saying he would go away for a little bit, raising immediate questions on whether the champion is quitting the sport. But UFC president Dana White insisted in no uncertain terms that he doesnt expect St-Pierre to take any leave of absence and that the promotion will seek to book an immediate rematch with Hendricks. White also said he was blown away by the decision, claiming Georges knew he lost, his corner knew he lost, Hendricks knew he won, and his corner knew they won. St-Pierre (25-2), one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history, won via split decision for the first time in front of a sold-out crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Georges St-Pierre Al Powers for ESPN Georges St-Pierre took a lot of punishment from Johny Hendricks during the five-round title fight. Two judges scored the five-round title fight 48-47 in favor of the defending champion, while a third saw it 48-47 for Hendricks. ESPN scored the bout for Hendricks, 48-47. As a large portion of the crowd booed the decision, St-Pierre took the microphone and announced he needed to hang up his gloves, for a bit -- but when asked definitively if this would be his last fight, the Canadian champion wavered. There was a lot of talk about what was going to happen [after this fight], St-Pierre said. I have a bunch of stuff in my life happening. I need to hang up my gloves for a little bit. I will make a point on that a little later, but for right now, Ive got to go away for a little bit. Hendricks (15-2), who raised his arms in victory when the fight ended, challenged St-Pierre in every facet of the game. He hurt him several times with his signature left hand and scored key takedowns in the third and fourth rounds. A former NCAA wrestling champion at Oklahoma State University, Hendricks collapsed when the scores were read. I thought I clearly won the fight, he said. Hendricks expressed no interest in whether St-Pierre retires. I dont care about Georges, Hendricks said. Thats what Ive said from the very get go. I beat him anyway. I just want the belt. That UFC belt, right in front of me. Thats the only thing pushing me, motivating me. I dont care who has it or who doesnt. I need to get that. Thats really my drive. I thought I got it tonight, but I guess I didnt. White, speaking at his postfight news conference, said he believed St-Pierre would be available to compete again within his typical time frame. He wants to fight, said White, following a brief closed-door meeting with St-Pierre. This isnt about fighting. It really isnt about fighting or retiring. Its a personal problem that has him very, very upset right now and Im very confident we can work it out. White, in an interview with Fox Sports, said he thought the governor of Nevada should intervene and clean up the states athletic commission. Most Wins - UFC History FIGHTER WINS Georges St-Pierre 19 Matt Hughes 18 Anderson Silva 16 Chuck Liddell 16 Randy Couture 16 Nevada is a very scary place, White said. This is the worst commission on the planet. Im afraid to bring fights to Las Vegas. White cited boxings decline as an example of the state commissions incompetence, calling it despicably horrible. Boxing was so corrupt for many years that the government had to come in and regulate it, but theres some real issues here in Nevada that need to be fixed, White told Fox Sports. The governor needs to really sit down and make some serious decisions about this athletic commission. Im blown away that Georges St-Pierre won that fight, White added. Im the promoter and hes the biggest fighter in the sport. I should be, Woo-hoo, these idiots gave it to Georges, but its not fair, its not right. Johny Hendricks won that fight and he deserves to get that fight again. The first round was one of the closest of the entire fight. Hendricks continually tried to measure up the straight left, but stayed busy with jabs and hooks from the right. He attacked St-Pierres legs with knees during lengthy clinches away from the fence. The first left hand Hendricks threw, St-Pierre took him down on. While that was a major statement for the champion, it was ultimately ineffective, as Hendricks popped immediately back up. Hendricks scored his first major moment in the second frame with a left uppercut on the inside. St-Pierre backed away and tried to reset, but his legs buckled on him and Hendricks smelled blood. St-Pierre would recover and responded well in the third round. Hendricks scored a big takedown late in the round, but St-Pierre appeared to land the cleaner of the strikes. Hendricks punches, however, did more visible damage. St-Pierre started to bleed from the nose in the third round and had swelling around both eyes. I lost my memory a little bit during the fight, St-Pierre said. I couldnt see. He really messed me up. He was very good at countering my game plan. Hes a powerful puncher. I can tell you that. In the fourth and fifth rounds, Hendricks made decisions that may come to haunt him. After executing a beautiful outside trip to get St-Pierre down in the fourth, he stood up and allowed him to get back to his feet. In the fifth, he started smiling at St-Pierre and making facial expressions. St-Pierre pressured him and caught him with a straight right, which he followed with a critical takedown. St-Pierre has now won a UFC record 19 fights in the Octagon. He extended his current win streak to 12 with the decision
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 05:23:57 +0000
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