• UFC

Hendricks: I'm a better wrestler than GSP

ESPN staff
March 18, 2013
Johny Hendricks is confident he matches up well against Georges St-Pierre © Getty Images
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Welterweight Johny Hendricks believes he is a better wrestler than UFC champion Georges St-Pierre, and is confident he would have the advantage in that department should the pair ever meet in the Octagon.

Hendricks arguably cemented his position as the No. 1 challenger to St-Pierre with an entertaining and deserved victory over Carlos Condit at UFC 158 at the weekend.

St-Pierre, who comprehensively won the main event in Montreal against Nick Diaz to retain his title, is widely regarded as one of the finest wrestlers in the sport - but Hendricks is confident his skills are superior.

"I believe I've got better wrestling than [GSP]," Hendricks said. "I did it since I was five. I also go back to Oklahoma State and train all the time. So yeah, I believe I'm a better wrestler.

"Also, I hit harder than him. That's a proven fact, so I'm just excited for the opportunity [to fight him]. Hopefully I can finish him. That's my goal."

Hendricks paid tribute to Condit following their meeting, acknowledging the American as a true warrior.

"I think I might have fractured my knuckle, when I took him down in that last 10 seconds [of the first round]," Hendricks revealed. "I flared his legs, and they went right into the cage. My finger just went straight down the cage. It was just a freak accident."

He added: "I wasn't hitting him that hard. I was scared that I might hurt myself throwing hard. Nobody has ever KO'd Carlos Condit, and now I know why. That's what I was expecting.

"I knew I had to go in there and prepare for a 15-minute war, and it was exactly what I thought it was going to be."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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