Of the four fights that aired live during Saturday’s FOX broadcast, Johny Hendricks was the lone odds-on favorite to pull through – and he only managed to do so by the skin of his teeth. However, while Josh Koscheck (Pictured) isn’t about to complain about his controversial split decision defeat, the 34-year-old believes he should have left New Jersey with the W.
“I’m not one to ever ***** about decisions,” Koscheck said at the post-fight press conference. “I thought I won the first and the third, but apparently the judges saw different. It was a good fight.
“I felt like I ended the fight on top. It is what it is. I live to fight another day.”
Judges Jeff Blatnick and Cardo Urso each scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Hendricks, while Ricardo Almeida – yes, former UFC fighter Ricardo Almeida, had Koscheck winning by the same tally. UFC president Dana White thought the contest was knotted up at one apiece entering the final stanza, but admitted Kos would have likely earned the nod had he inflicted more damage while pinning Hendricks on his back for the last 90 seconds of their shootout.
Although Koscheck wasn’t too forthcoming with compliments for Hendricks entering last night’s shootout – going as far as claiming his knockout victory over Jon Fitch was like “winning the lottery” – the former welterweight top contender was more willing to shell out props following his defeat.
“He’s a good fighter,” Koscheck admitted. “He won [Saturday]. I’m not going to sit up here and ***** and cry about a decision. I should’ve finished the fight.
“When it goes to the judges, I guess you gotta have luck on your side and I guess he had luck on his side. He won the fight.”
Koscheck has now dropped two of his last four bouts inside the Octagon. Although the area around his right eye was swollen nearly as badly as it was HERE, Kos claimed he would like to have another scrap arranged within a couple of weeks.
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May 05, 2012
