Johny Hendricks was the last man to face Georges St-Pierre in the UFC more than two and a half years ago.

With rumours of GSP nearing a return to the Octagon, the former welterweight champion questions whether fighters and fans alike will get the same dominant force they had nearly three years ago. 

“He was a great fighter and the reason I say he was is because he’s retired,” Hendricks told TSN.ca. “Now if he comes back is he going to be the same fighter? Is he not? A lot has changed in the last three years, so is he still going to be able to do the same things.”

“If he comes back and he doesn’t look good, then people are going to say he should’ve stayed retired. Or who knows, he might come in and beat [Michael] Bisping or whoever he wants to fight. Time will tell.”

Hendricks, who squares off against Kelvin Gastelum on the preliminary card at UFC 200 on July 9, went the distance with GSP at UFC 167 on November 16, 2013. He lost via split decision, only the second of St-Pierre’s illustrious career, but went on to win the vacated title four months later over Robbie Lawler at UFC 171.

The loss stung, but Hendricks remembers it fondly and credits the experience to his championship victory.

“Just like I’ve always said, and I’d say it to his face too, it was definitely fun for me,” Hendricks said. “I don’t think it was so much for him. It was something that I needed. It showed that I am ready for that next step.”

And if St-Pierre returns, the Ada, Oklahoma native would welcome a rematch.

“If we did it ever again, I would be better because that was my first five-round fight. He got me at my first five-round fight, so now if we had to do another five-round fight it’s going to be a different story,” Hendricks said. “I’ve always trained for a three-round fight, but in the third round I’m tired because I only had 15 minutes to do what I need to do. Then I had to do 25 [minutes]. My camps have gotten better for 25 minutes and I think if it does hit that stage, then I’ll be 100 per cent ready.”