Dana White: Johny Hendricks did what Georges St. Pierre couldn't
Posted on January 4, 2012, 11:14 AM by Joey Santosus"Hendricks did something that GSP couldn't do. There's no way this was an early stoppage. Hendricks comes bursting out of nowhere and takes down the number-two guy. He's got world class wrestling and nasty hands -- he's going to get another big fight." - For more, check out "UFC Tonight" on Fuel TV (transcribed via MMAMania.com)
What do you do when all else fails? Call Johny Hendricks.
After being outclassed by Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre in 2008, perennial contender, Jon Fitch, would remain unbeaten for more than three years, posting a 5-0-1 mark over the course of six octagon appearances. Though it had become difficult to deny that the AKA fighter was the second best 170-pound fighter in the world, a string of lackluster decision wins and a draw against B.J. Penn ensured that demand for a St. Pierre vs. Fitch rematch was all but non-existent. And just when it appeared that the UFC had run out of options - that's when they made "the call."
A four-time All-American wrestling champ with dynamite in his hands, Hendricks needed just 12-seconds to separate Fitch from consciousness - as well as his Welterweight title hopes. Now riding a three-fight winning streak, the victory has not only thrust the former OSU stand-out into the spotlight, but appears to have put him in the good graces of UFC President Dana White. While making an appearance on Fuel TV, White showered Hendricks with praise, noting that he'd finished Fitch in a manner that even the Champion himself had failed to do, and promised that his next fight would be another "big" one. So what's the word LowKick'ers? Is it time to recognize Hendricks as a legitimate threat to the throne? And coming off such an important win, who should be next for the bearded slugger?
Photo: MMAWeekly.com
Comments
Matt Hughes? LOL
Seriously though, Sanchez vs. Ellenberger winner would be my guess.
Man almost every top 10 UFC WW has a fight booked, only one I can think of that doesnt is Ebersole but I think Hendricks will get the winner of Sanchez/Ellenberger for the number one contender spot
Condit did what GSP couldnt do.
Ellenburger did why GSP couldnt do.
Condit and Ellenberger also don't have belts and world-wide fame and fortune to lose. And they both have to prove to the world they are ready for the Champ who proved to the world that he was ready before he was Champ.
IMO that opens you up to more wild shots and destruction. Go big or go home. Well, it worked out for both of them.
Yeaqh what sucks to get a great door fight he will have to wait cause
he just beat one of the top five guys or right there at and the only reason
for him not to get a title shot is to prove that Fitch wasnt a floock to be honest
there is a couple guys that were in lost but back to being in line Koscheck
Hardy would be decent fights but think Kos not sure when he fights
I think Hendricks has as much of a chance beating GSP as he did Fitch and so i will say he will 90% chance lose to GSP.
Sometimes people just get caught and he caught Fitch, but I don't see him being a match for GSP either.
I think he'd lose a rematch to Fitch too, now that Jon knows to look out for the left hand. He can't match Fitch's wrestling.
Give him Alves or the Koscheck vs Pierce winner, or better just replace Pierce and let's hope he ko's Kos.
Too bad UFC already made Kos vs Pierce after Condit pulled out, if they had waited Hendricks vs Kos would have been perfect
no one can deny that was a great KO and a super win & a win is a win but he still has a lot to prove before he can be considered for GSP... yes he beat fitch but i think he wouldnt have outwrestled him.... and we all saw he fitch faired against GSP.... big props to him but i would say two more wins before a title shot... or one big win against someone like thiago alves..
I dont think Thiago Alves as he is fighting Kampmann in March so wouldn't happen for a while. I think Koscheck or Ellenberger/Sanchez. Think that will again be a good test for him and bring in an entertaining match up.
I honestly don't know if GSP would own Fitch on the ground anymore. Then again, if he hadn't started the fight by blasting Fitch in the face right off the bat in their first fight, I don't know if he would have the first time.
It wasn't like Hendricks dominated Fitch and KO'd him...
GSP Dominated Fitch so you can't just compare a haymaker of a punch to 25 minutes of pure technique. :D
thats because gsp wasnt goin for a finish and hendricks was....Its technique but it was to get an easy dominating win and was boring!!!
Idk about calling Fitch/GSP boring, that was one hell of a fight, far from boring imo n GSP dominated Fitch in every aspect of the game, he outstruck him, dropped him, took him down at will and became the first person to pass his guard in the UFC, I prefer that kind of pure dominant win over a quick KO because a KO can be argued to be lucky but wat GSP did to Fitch was far from just luck
i see your point but gsp has no knockout power
so basically what im tryin to say hes a champ because hes technical but lacks killer instinct!!!!
It was not boring.
GSP-fitch was a great fight... just watch fitch face after the fight
maybe that last round was a little boring but on the other ones he knock fitch down like 4 times
GSP maybe doesnt has the kind of power hendrick and ellenberger has but he has power!! he has plenty of kos on his record
GSP is a technical fighter, not a finisher. He is one of the best MMA fighters of all time, beating other great fighters like hughes and penn in there prime. Hendricks is without a doubt a brilliant fighter but comparing him to GSP's fight isnt right. They are completely different fighters. Its called MMA for a reason as there are many ways to win, KO or Decision. I think Hendricks should get Koscheck or Ellenberger.
or sub or Dr. stoppage or DQ, that about covers it.
or Double KO ala Emerson/Maynard.
Oh and TKO lol
What is it called if you run out of the ring crying? ...oh nevermind Forrest was already TKOd I think 8P
NC (Both fighters fell out of the cage door) - James Irvin vs. Bobby Southworth
lol
Koscheck will want revenge for his friend Fitch... Yet he might get K.O as well.. Make it happen Dana...
Oh come on now....I am not a big fan of sleeping pill snooze fest but there is no comparison...GSP is in a total different level.
Lytle did to Hardy what GSP couldn't do.
Does that mean Lytle would beat GSP. Never.
people wanna see gsp loose so badly,that they have an orgasm each time a top contender loose. same thing happen with rick story,same thing is happening with ellenberger and now hendricks.
Fitch is much closer to GSP's skill level than Hendricks. GSP'll treat him exactly the way he did Matt Serra on their second fight.
Hendricks came to fight and proved his skill last Friday night. A fight against Koscheck sounds like a good test for the up-and-coming Hendricks, as well as a bout with Jake Ellenberger provided he gets by Diego Sanchez in February. The welterweight division is suddenly giving the lightweights a run for the most stacked division in the UFC, and with the champ out for a long while, anything can happen this year. I for one am looking forward to seeing what develops.
who cares if he did was gsp couldn't, if gsp had beaten fitch in 5 sec, what would that proved? GSP kicked his ass for 25 min, 50-45, c'mon son. thats why nobody wanted fitch to fight him again. A 12 sec tko means nothing to me. it's a good win ,but beating fitch by decision is almost impossible.
This guy has a point....decisioning Fitch is probably close to impossible.
Thats why you KO him in 10 seconds and yell NEXT!
Penn's return fight?
if he fought ellenberger that would be nuts
That's was I was thinking these 2 would be dynamite in the cage together. They need to put this fight together asap!
i was super impressed by hendricks , i saw all his fights before this one i always been a fan , & i hope he gets kos , i think he can ko kos but anything can happen .
People need to calm down a bit here. Not taking anything away from Hendricks. the dude is a beast and did prove something. but jon fitch got caught like any other fighters have in the past and can.
Props to Hendricks for the big hit. It was a shock to see like Shields going down so quickly in the Ellenberger fight.
Tough to call the next fight for Hendricks because everyone has a fight that is at the top in the near future.
This article was irritating to read. Normally I like your stuff Joey.
You made this sound like the UFC had a big "problem" and couldn't get it solved.
So they made "the call"?
What the hell is that? The batphone??
The bottom line is they didn't want to give one of the most deserving guys another shot at GSP and finally gave him enough fights that he lost one.
I hope he comes back strong and puts together another string of wins and finally gets another title shot.
A record normally counts for something in sports!
I'm glad to hear that you enjoy my work... But, if you are a regular reader, then you should know that, when working with this type of quote, my words are meant to highlight and/or emphasize the views of the person speaking... Not my own.
With that said, I think it's popular belief that Dana felt he had an issue on his hands with Fitch. For what it's worth, however, I tend to agree with you on the matter. Thanks.
I hate when people finish someone quicker or just finish them at all and try to hint that because they did it they are better than a previous opponent who didn't.
This is obviously the latest example but other times it happened that I can remember with Ellenberger vs. Shields and Ortiz vs. Bader.
They may have that advantage in 1 punch power but doesn't mean they bet the opponent more easily.
GSP dominated Fitch and proved he is far better for 25 minutes, the longest amount of ime possible in UFC. Hendricks dominated Fitch for the entire 2 seconds between landing his first strike and the match finishing. If Hendricks dominated him for even a full minute then KO'd him it would be more impressive.
For me it's more impressive if yu can dominate for at least 3 or 4 mintues then finish off, to prove you are definitely better.
When Tito kept on letting everyone know he beat Bader faster than Jones did and tryed to mak himself sound like he was more dangerous than the champ.....
"C'mon Son"
Hendricks landed a good shot. But I want to see if he can do it again.
Jon Fitch will not make the same mistake twice.
Honestly, I don't know if he'll land that shot again on any top competition. Fitch has a great chin and got ko'ed by it, so everyone will be looking for it now. If he fought Koscheck, I could easily see Kos dipping and coming over the top with his overhand right.