That was awfully uncharacteristic of George to just stand in the pocket and trade like that with someone, especially a guy whose considered to be the hardest hitter at 170. There were plenty of times where Johnny was charging in with punches and George could've ducked and shot in for a takedown. Everyone who watches him fight knows that isn't how he fights. He was telegraphing his takedowns a lot in the later rounds. It almost seemed like he was dazed for the entire fight. Anyone else surprised with how he fought? 
Johnny was wrestling just as well. Stuffing take downs, switching him and pinning him against the fence. It wasn't a given that Gsp was gonna take Hendricks down, and he was eating uppercuts and knees on his way in too.
I like kickboxing Gsp.
Because he had no choice. he immediately felt Johnnys power and balance in the clinch and released that he might get taken down more if he played that game and then loose the match via more takedowns scored by Johnny.
GSP circled to the left nullify the big left hand of Big Rig. He also used the right rear push kick to keep Big Rig from stepping in with the big left and the threw the right rear leg kick to make Big Rig keep his hand back to protect his head. Add in there that he had taken Hendricks down off a huge left attempt and you really have to appreciate how GSP nullified Hendricks` biggest weapon.