Johny Hendricks isn’t sympathetic to the problems that Georges St-Pierre says are the motivation behind his decision to take some time away from the Octagon.
In fact, Hendricks believes if GSP can’t handle the pressure of being the UFC welterweight champion, he should give up the belt to someone who can.
“Dude, I’ve got three kids. You know what I’m saying? Talk about sleep? Are you kidding me?” Hendricks said Friday on AXS Television’s Inside MMA.
“Everybody’s got problems in life. That’s the way that it is. If you can’t handle the stress of being champion, give it up. We chose to get into that octagon. We chose not to sleep. I don’t know how many times I went to bed at 5, 6 o’clock in the morning, waking up at 10, running four miles because I wanted to beat GSP that bad. Dude, who cares? I chose that life. Tell yourself whatever you need to. Just get back in that octagon with me, and I can’t wait for the rematch.”
Following a controversial split decision over Hendricks at UFC 167, the Canadian announced he was going to take some time away from the Octagon.
“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 after the fight. “I have to go away for a little bit at least. That’s all I can say right now.”
According to TMZ, GSP is dealing with the illness of his father and an unexpected pregnancy, although St-Pierre has vehemently denied the report.
UFC president Dana White, who took exception to GSP’s post-fight declaration, told reporters after the fight that he is confident a rematch will take place at some point in 2014.
