Nah. That was just people being so used to GSP winning and giving the match to the challenger for doing well. Hendricks won 2, GSP won 2 rounds and the decider was the first round.
GSP wins that round. They were counting knee strikes to the thigh for Hendricks as sig strikes, GSP answers every single one. GSP lands a blast double followed by a guillotine attempt with a little brazilian tap from Johnny in the transition. GSP is landing flush headkicks and winning the striking at range, they are even in the clinch and GSP is the one pushing the action the entire round. Damage or bruising wasn't scored then
Johnny lost that round and taking off the 5th later cost him the fight.
GSP won the round because his takedown at the start was better, and lead to an attack, he was winning the striking at distance and and he was the one moving forward and pushing the action. Hendricks was reacting to him in nearly every exchange. It's a close round decided on the fact that Johnny's best offence (the elbows) was during an attempted takedown by GSP. The knee Rogan blew his load about didn't actually land. We don't even get a reaction to headkicks from GSP, but we do from a knee imeddiately answered to the thigh?
The right person won.
Scoring criteria in 2013 is below.
Judges shall evaluate mixed martial arts techniques, such as effective striking, effective grappling, control of the fighting area, effective aggressiveness and defense. Evaluations shall be made in the order in which the techniques appear, giving the most weight in scoring to effective striking, effective grappling, control of the fighting area and effective aggressiveness and defense. Effective striking is judged by determining the number of legal strikes landed by a contestant and the significance of such legal strikes.
Effective grappling is judged by considering the amount of successful executions of a legal takedown and reversals. Examples of factors to consider are take downs from standing position to mount position, passing the guard to mount position, and bottom position fighters using an active, threatening guard.
Fighting area control is judged by determining who is dictating the pace, location and position of the bout. Examples of factors to consider are countering a grappler’s attempt at takedown by remaining standing and legally striking; taking down an opponent to force a ground fight; creating threatening submission attempts, passing the guard to achieve mount, and creating striking opportunities.
Effective aggressiveness means moving forward and landing a legal strike or takedown.
Effective defense means avoiding being struck, taken down or reversed while countering with offensive attacks.