UFC reels in the wake of controversial decision
By BOB EMANUEL JR. | Scripps Howard News Service
Controversy surrounded the Ultimate Fighting Championship during its the early days, and last weekend, as the UFC celebrated its 20-year anniversary, controversy reigned again.
UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre won a questionable split decision against Johny Hendricks to retain his title. The decision caught most, including UFC president Dana White, off guard.
“I’m blown away that Georges St-Pierre won that fight,” White said. “And listen, I’m a promoter. He’s the biggest pay-per-view 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. I think the Nevada State Athletic Commission is atrocious. I think the governor needs to step in immediately before these guys destroy this sport like they did boxing.”
Judges Sal D’Amato and Tony Weeks scored the fight 48-47 for St-Pierre. Judge Glenn Trowbridge scored it 48-47 for Hendricks. In White’s opinion, the fight should have been scored 49-46 for Hendricks.
“The governor needs to step in and fix the incompetence that is happening in the state of Nevada that used to be the best commission in the world,” White said. “It’s 100 percent incompetence. It needs to stop. I’m (expletive) scared to come back here and do fights. I’m afraid of this state.”
St-Pierre added to the odd night with a cryptic message following the fight alluding to his retirement.
“Listen everyone, it was a lot of fun,” St-Pierre said.
White was infuriated by the announcement during the post-fight press conference.
“That decision that happens, you don’t just say, ‘Hey, I’m going to take a while off and maybe I’ll be back or maybe I won’t,’” White said. “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.”
White softened his stance later after a closed-door meeting with St-Pierre, who detailed his personal issues to White and UFC ownership
“One of the things that make Georges as great as he is, is things drive him crazy,” White said. “Little things drive him nuts … I think everything is going to be fine.”
