Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 is in the history books for several reasons. One of those reasons is Dana White’s anger.
The UFC chief was angry at everything about that fight. He was furious at GSP’s comments after the fight and he was even more furious at the judges for the controversial decision.
GSP 🇨🇦 vs Johny Hendricks 🇺🇸
Known as the biggest robbery in UFC history
Who did y’all have winning and why? pic.twitter.com/fNMiW1kXKx
— Kenny Okoye🇳🇬 (@TruthfulUfcFan) March 22, 2024
Hendricks dominated the fight against the then-UFC Welterweight Champion. He almost got the finish he so whole-heartedly desired but GSP held on. When the time came for the decision, the majority of fight fans who saw the fight thought a new champion would be crowned. Hendricks had his hands up in anticipation. However, GSP was announced as the winner via a split decision.
“I have a bunch of stuff in my life happening. I have to hang up my gloves for a bit,” St-Pierre told UFC commentator Joe Rogan post-fight. “I have to go away for a little bit at least. That’s all I can say right now.”
GSP left everyone shocked with these comments. No one was expecting him to announce this. The last person who wanted to hear something like this was Dana Whtie.
Dana White was furious at Georges St-Pierre’s comments after the fight against Johny Hendricks
At the post-fight press conference, White ripped into GSP’s comments. He argued that the fighter could not make such a vague comment.
“He could retire (but) there’s no ‘hey listen, I’m going to take a hiatus, I’m going to take a leave of absence.’ Whatever the hell it was that he was saying, that’s not how it works,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “You owe it to the fans, you owe it to that belt, you owe it to this company and you owe it to Johny Hendricks to give him that opportunity to fight again, unless you’re going to retire.
“There’s no ‘I’m going to go on a cruise. I’m going to be gone for two years. I’m going to take a hiatus. I’m going to take a leave of absence,'” White continued. “Whatever the hell it was that he was saying. That’s not how it works. It doesn’t work that way.'”
There was even more controversy at the press conference. White had informed the media that GSP was on his way to the hospital after his brutal beatdown but he somehow showed up at the press conference.
The former welterweight champion later explained that he did not know White had made such comments. He was being stopped by UFC personnel before entering the conference but he did so anyway.
Dana White slammed the NSAC as he thought the decision was unfair
At the same post-fight press conference, White slammed the decision made by the judges. According to the UFC chief, GSP had lost the fight. “Does anybody here think that Johny Hendricks won the fight? I’m blown away that Georges St-Pierre won that fight,” White said. “Listen, I’m a promoter and he’s the biggest star on the [expletive] planet for me and I still don’t think he won that fight. I want what’s fair and that wasn’t fair.”
He lashed out at the NSAC. “I think the Nevada State Athletic Commission is atrocious; I think the governor should step in before these guys destroy this sport like they did boxing,” White said.
• Georges St-Pierre 🇨🇦
GSP is back in 2017 on the UFC 217 map to face MW champion Michael Bisping after 4 years of absence.
He makes a legendary comeback by beating Bisping by submission in the third round and enters the very closed circle of champions in 2 different weight… pic.twitter.com/gQ3vwQ5fS1
— PΛЯIIΛ💭 (@PariiaMMA) March 13, 2024
GSP did not fight for four years after winning his bout against Hendricks. In December 2013, GSP vacated the welterweight title and took a hiatus from the sport. He made a shock return at middleweight four years later in November 2017.
The Canadian fought Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight title and won the fight via submission. He became the fourth two-division champion in UFC history before vacating the title and retiring for good. GSP is considered by many as the greatest fighter to set foot in the Octagon. He retired with a pro-MMA record of 26-2 which included nine UFC title defenses.
