In the end, all the hype in the world couldn't help Nick Diaz. UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre dominated UFC 158's main event from pillar to post, landing nine of his 16 takedown attempts, outstriking Diaz 210 to 80 (according to Fightmetric), and claiming all five rounds on the judges' scorecards to retain his title for the eighth consecutive time. The win was St-Pierre's 18th in the UFC, a mark that ties him with his former rival, Matt Hughes, as the most in the promotion's history.

Up next for the Canadian will be Johny Hendricks, the bearded four-time All-American who solidified his status as No. 1 contender with a thrilling, ‘Fight of the Year' candidate victory over Carlos Condit in UFC 158's co-main event. Add in an explosive first-round knockout courtesy of fellow top-10 welterweight Jake Ellenberger, and there was plenty to talk about on Saturday night.

Hats off to #GSP for keeping his composure tonight #Champion — Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 17, 2013

Wow... Anyone looking to learn applicable wrestling to MMA... Take notes lol — Michael McDonald (@MaydayMcDonald) March 17, 2013

I saw more viscous things happen at the youth wrestling tourney! — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) March 17, 2013

After tonight I am 100% sure I could beat GSP @dukeroufus — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) March 17, 2013

A fighter, who takes the fight to the ground, has one mission. The other has two! — Siyar The Great (@SiyarTheGreat) March 17, 2013

One sided!! Diaz tried a cheap shot...really? Lets fight like men! — Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) March 17, 2013

I think Diaz has some kind of mental handicap! Know ur place and act normal man! — Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) March 17, 2013

Dude gsp fricken stand and fight... boringgggggg — Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) March 17, 2013

Nick Diaz better not retire. He is one of my favorite fighters #UFC 158 — John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) March 17, 2013

GSP is to Diaz as smallpox are to the American/Shawnee Indians. #UFC158 — Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) March 17, 2013

Retirement talk…..again…. #UFC158 I’d be a little disappointed if he retired but damn either do it or don’t. — Jason Highwalker(@KCBanditMMA) March 17, 2013

I really wish knees to the head of a grounded opponent were allowed. It would change the whole sport and the strategy and games people play. — Aaron Riley (@aaronrileymma) March 17, 2013

Damn George put the worse beating on Diaz anyone has ever seen 😋😜💩 — Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) March 17, 2013

Nick Diaz seems to be peaking beautifully at 5:01 of each round #sarcasm — John Cholish (@JohnCholish) March 17, 2013

I hope Diaz isn't serious about retiring as I am a forever fan...#ufc158 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) March 17, 2013

GSPis the definition of hard work i respect that — David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) March 17, 2013

Nick diaz awesome speech and as well always classy :) — Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) March 17, 2013

When GSP gets the TD it's like watching a lifetime movie. You know how it's going to play out, but you hope she can leave him somehow. — Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) March 17, 2013

Rinse and repeat for 4 more! — Louis Gaudinot (@LouGaudinotUFC) March 17, 2013

Quit whining and go to boxing Diaz and get smashed there — Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) March 17, 2013

I'll say it again: GSP's dark place has a nightlight — RutherfordB.Hazelett (@RuthaF_cka) March 17, 2013

Thought Hendricks made a bigger statement than GSP tonight. Thoughts on that? — Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) March 17, 2013

HENDRICKS, CONDIT GO TO WAR

BOMBS!!!! — Dana White (@danawhite) March 17, 2013

What a fuckin fight!!!! — Dana White (@danawhite) March 17, 2013

And @carloscondit continues to be my favorite fighter to watch, since the old WEC days — Brian Stann (@BrianStann) March 17, 2013

This @carlosconditv @johnyhendricks !!! Wow, what an awesome fight! Takedowns will be the difference. Great showing from both guys — Eddie Wineland(@EddieWineland) March 17, 2013

its official folks#takedowns rule in the #ufc158 octagon.. Condit should have taken that one imho — Claude Patrick (@claudetheprince) March 17, 2013

One of the most amazing fights ever @carloscondit ur the best I love u brother — Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) March 17, 2013

2 more rounds @carloscondit takes it. — Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) March 17, 2013

He did earn that tho. #UFC158 — Jason Highwalker(@KCBanditMMA) March 17, 2013

Wow amazing fight, condit did awesome. Hendricks might have gotten by take downs — Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) March 17, 2013

Great to see @johnyhendricks go 3 rds& win against another top fighter.Showed he has more than a hard punch.Look forward to him & GSP — Chris Clements(@menaceclements) March 17, 2013

That was a war. Love watching Condit when gets going. Animal — Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) March 17, 2013

Condit always bringing it! Love that type of fighter — David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) March 17, 2013

I think Hendricks could be a distant cousin of Honey Boo Boo #UFC158 — Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) March 17, 2013

Why does every fighter with the "Wolf-man" beard fight like you stole something from him? — Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) March 17, 2013

Hell ya Carlos way to throw the fuck down !! @carloscondit — Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) March 17, 2013

@carloscondit great fight bro you made that one exciting! Fighting of your back throwing down the whole time! @ufc proud teammate here! — Leonard Garcia (@badboygarcia) March 17, 2013

One of the best fights I've ever seen ! BIG RIGG!!!!!!!! @ufc_ca @ufc — TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) March 17, 2013

Holy shit I call fight of the YEAR!!! Hella impressed with Condit and Hendricks @ufc — Pablo Garza UFC (@PabloGarzaMMA) March 17, 2013

2 rounds to 1 for big rigg ! What u guys score it? — Louis Gaudinot (@LouGaudinotUFC) March 17, 2013

What a fight. Im glad to be part if this. #ufc — jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) March 17, 2013

I'm waiting for mark lamon to say "put him in a body bag!!" #UFC158 @carloscondit great damn fight brutha!!! — Travis Browne (@travisbrowneMMA) March 17, 2013

Is there any doubt who the #1 contender is?? @johnyhendricks #UFC157 @teamtakedown best wrestler in the division, with dynamite in left hand — BrutalJohnnyBedford (@BrutalBedford) March 17, 2013

That was a good fight but all those takedowns won the fight for Johnny Hendricks #UFC158 — John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) March 17, 2013

This should be a 5 round fight! #UFC158 #UFC — Nik Lentz Ufc mma (@NikLentz) March 17, 2013

MMA at its finest. #2morerounds — Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) March 17, 2013

ELLENBERGER CRUSHES MARQUARDT

Is Nate off the TRT for 170? Is he like chael that he would die with out it. Science I love it. And math too — Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) March 17, 2013

That a way to get in there and finish @ellenbergermma don't know how he's not number 1 contender!! — Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) March 17, 2013

If someone tells you "you were knocked out" you should generally take their word for it in my experience — Jimmy Smith (@jimmysmithmma) March 17, 2013

Ellenberger looked great and gets the ko In rd 1. What a stud. Great stoppage even with mardquardt's protesting #ufc158 — Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) March 17, 2013

Wow, impressive win by Ellenberger over a veteran fighter. — Aaron Riley (@aaronrileymma) March 17, 2013

Nice ko , like i said jake ellenberger is one scary dude :( — Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) March 17, 2013

Cheaters never win — Ben Askren (@Benaskren) March 17, 2013