UFC 167: Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks Fight Breakdown
Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks will collide at this cming Saturday’s UFC 167, where GSP will look to defend his 170lb. title for a record 9th consecutive time. The opponent standing in his way is none other than hard-hitting KO machine Johny Hendricks, who has fought harder than most to gain his shot at the belt.
Let’s take a look at the breakdown for the evening’s main event:
Striking
GSP is a very well rounded striker; a black belt in two forms of Karate and a protégé of legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach and Muay Thai legend Phil Nurse. Hendricks on the other hand is a devastating striker who has put Jon Fitch, Martin Kampmann, Charlie Brenneman, Amir Sadollah and TJ Waldburger to sleep en route to his first ever title bout.
St-Pierre has an excellent jab which he utilizes in conjuction with perfectly timed takedowns, but Hendricks has the obvious power advantage with his brutal hooks. I’m going to give ‘Bigg Rigg’ the nod for that reason, 60-40 Hendricks.
Grappling
St-Pierre is a black belt in BJJ and Gaidojitsu and, though he holds only five submission wins, I would give St-Pierre a clear advantage in this department. Hendricks is no slouch on the mat, but holds only one submission win and prefers to stand and bang.
As GSP holds such high level, constant training in submission grappling; I’m giving the Champion the nod at 70-30.
Wrestling
Johny Hendricks is the NCAA division I All-American for 2004, 05, 06 and 07, and Junior Freestyle wrestling boss for 2001/2. He has a solid wrestling base and the experience to back it up. Although St-Pierre lacks the credentials, he is well known as one of the greatest wrestlers in the sport.
GSP has one of the most powerful double leg takedowns I have ever seen, and has fended off ‘superior’ wrestlers such as Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Jake Shields and Matt Hughes; proving that credentials mean squat when you are in the cage with GSP.
I know I’ll probably get some heat for this call, but I’m giving GSP the nod in wrestling at 60-40.
