Rick Story and Johny Hendricks took their fight at “The Ultimate Fighter Season 12” finale to a decision, but it ended up being nowhere near as controversial as the Leonard Garcia split decision victory over Nam Phan earlier in the night.
While neither fighter clearly established domination in the bout, Story did appear to have the edge.
From the opening round, Hendricks scrambled for takedowns, but Story fought the majority of them off, and opened up with his patented punch combinations to the wrestler’s body.
Hendricks came close to taking control with his grappling late in round two, but Story managed to turn the tables and do some damage to Hendricks’ legs with driving knees and punches.
The pace slowed as the fight wore on, Hendricks continuing to shoot the takedown. What he did land was after extended periods of effort, and Story would quickly gain his feet after he was taken down.
When all was said and done, it was Story that was pushing the pace through the majority of the bout, constantly going back to working Hendricks’ body with punch combinations and slipping in the occasional knee.
“I’m sure it was the attacks to the body,” Story told UFC broadcaster Joe Rogan when asked about earning the decision.
Story is now on a five-fight winning streak, while handing Hendricks the first loss of his professional career.