Write That Down
White Bats Around the Idea of Silva-GSP
By ComcastSports
Thu, 23 Apr 2009 17:40:43 GMT
Talk about a juggernaut. The possible matchup between reigning UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva and reigning UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre has been the buzz of late.
And according to MMA.Weekly.com, President Dana White appears more open to the idea than before.
Following Silva’s historic, yet uneventful, win over Brazilian Thales Leites at UFC 97, White tossed around the thought of what could very well be the biggest money-making event in UFC history. "Maybe we could do that," White pondered last Thursday. "I'd like to do it. We'll see what happens."
By “we’ll see what happens,” White was referring to St. Pierre’s performance vs. No. 1 welterweight contender Thiago Alves at UFC 100 on July 11 in Las Vegas. The event has already soldout and is expected to be the UFC’s largest grossing pay-per-view gate of the year.
For all its glitz, the St. Pierre-Alves title fight has been written off by some, but White insists Alves is no easy win: "I'm telling you guys, I think this is a huge, huge fight for Georges St. Pierre's career. If he gets by Thiago Alves, I don't know who at 170 beats him. Then you start looking for other ways for him to challenge himself.”
As for the UFC’s top pound-for-pounder, a hot topic among fans and media, White was firm: "Is it taking on Anderson at 185 pounds? This kid [Georges] gets by Thiago Alves the way he's been getting through other people, I'll throw him in there in the mix for the pound-for-pound. Right now, I got him at number two."
When asked how he felt about meeting “The Spider” at 185, the 27-year-old welterweight champ seemed a smidge less confident than he did last October: "I would have to sit down and see what the opportunity is," he said. "How long I have for the fight. Because if I fight at 185, if I do it, I want to do it well. I want to put some extra muscle on me, some extra weight. I would have to go on a diet for a couple extra weeks, and it would take me some extra time, but I'm always excited for a new challenge."
That challenge is one few have been able to muster, let alone dent. And with the fight possibly taking place at Silva’s current fighting weight, odds are, well … we’ll see.
Should White make Silva-GSP happen regardless of UFC 100? If so, at what weight? Who wins the superfight? Is it just a money-grab? Is Silva the best pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC? Sound off here.
Message Edited by ComcastSports on 04-23-2009 04:46 PM
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I think the greatest test for a "pound-for-pound" king like Anderson Silva would be to fight at 205 - not 170.Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:13:15 GMT | PLaC23
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I agree, but I think he should fight GSP first, then step up to the heavy-hitters at 205.Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:22:57 GMT | RJFF
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I agree 205 is where he should go however i dont believe he will become champ there and 170 should never be an option except to fight who i belive is the pound for pound champ gsp he can beat silva i know it on a great day silva will lose the people silva has beaten aside henderson,franklin or marquart who if givin the shot again will defeat silva, has beaten uncaliber fighters lutter was beating silva till he got caught in the triangle choke he is great know doubt but give him a go getter like pierre and its overThu, 23 Apr 2009 20:27:32 GMT | ufcgreatestsport
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Silva and GSP lets do it, but after this Silva needs to gain 20 lbs and fight light heavyweight. Nobody can beat him and the money wasted on these fights by the fans is crazy. We expect more for our money. UFC 97 sucked!!!Thu, 23 Apr 2009 21:17:09 GMT | whoopass
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Why should Silva have to gain weight and fight in a heavier weight class just because hes dominant? Shouldn't the people in his class train harder and try to give him a challenge instead? Silva should remain in the same class and dominate until somebody proves they can beat him and after that he can do whatever he wants. As for the Silva vs. GSP fight while that would be entertaining it goes the same for GSP if he does not feel the need to go up a weight class then he shouldn't have to, hes not obligated to fight people heavier then him. His goal is to fight at his weight and be the best at it not fight naturally bigger and stronger people just so he can please people. If they do fight it would be great but if they don't then thats fine, let them stay in their weight classes until somebody proves they are worthy to take it from them.Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:13:34 GMT | msessum
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Silva vs. GSP would be a great fight at 185 or even 170 and for all you people saying Silva should step up weight for a fight at 205 he already has he fought at 205 at scored a k.o. after just 1 minute. Silva can do it so lets see if GSP can jump up a few pounds and take on Silva for the title of "pound for pound" best fighterThu, 23 Apr 2009 22:57:22 GMT | Lujak13
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there both sissys and so are u shut upThu, 23 Apr 2009 22:58:18 GMT | zeppidog
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Silva, despite being one of the most loved fighters in the UFC, is beatable. I think GSP must watch lots of film on Silva. He has the ability to win, but must find a way to beat Silva's take down defense. Silva has never been "rocked" and with the extra weight and muscle GSP puts on may help him (GSP) to land that punch to put down Siolva.Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:12:09 GMT | Marx
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I think it should go on but I also thing GSP will have his hands full with Thiago Alves! He is one tough fighter. Sure to be a great fight!! I wouldn't mind seeing Thiago Alves fight Silva. I think that would also be a great fight too! MMA the greatest sport of man to man competition in this day and age.Message Edited by KidCanvas on 04-23-2009 08:02 PM
Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:59:14 GMT | KidCanvas
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For you to try to point out the fact that Silva knocked out James Irvin in a minute doesnt compare to GSP putting on a few pounds to fight Silva. Silva put on weight and fought a good fight but James Irvin isn't the best 205 fighter. GSP would be stepping up to fight Silva who is the best 185 pounder in the UFC right now. Honestly Anderson Silva has not proved himself at 205 until he's found other, more caliber, 205 poundersFri, 24 Apr 2009 00:41:44 GMT | mmafighter17
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Silva needs to gain weight because i am tired of paying 45 dollars for a one round title fight, nobody in his weight class is worthy of fighting him. So if you want to continue to pay for crap fights then go ahead, who ever is putting these fights together better figure it out soon because fans are going to stop paying for them. Paying is the key word.Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:41:57 GMT | whoopass
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anyone who thinks gsp will gain enough weight to deal with silva is crazy. silva walks around at close to 200. silva needs to class up not class down. gsp.... great fighter, i love him. but to actually face silva, its over. silva beat irvin... easy win.. give him forrest, or rampage, or jardine... silva against that last brazilian was a) a boring fight but, b) a low-level opponent for silva. undefeated or not, he had nothing for silva.. he was playing with him... give me a ufc fight that's fedor vs.......... anyone else....Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:24:33 GMT | focusproductions
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Look, this is about money. Everyone knows Silva will have to step up to 205. There are no legit contenders at 185, thus no money (for Silva or UFC). Much like Roy Jones in his prime the fights are boring. However, GSP vs Silva is a moneymaker. Everyone wants to see it. Everyone. Not only that, but GSP has as good a shot as anyone at 185. The great thing is if GSP beats Alves, he can fight at 185 and not risk his belt at 175. Noone will think less of him for losing to the pound for pound best, and if he wins he takes that crown. It's a win win for GSP. All the risk lies with Silva. If Silva loses that sets up the biggest fight in UFC history for the rematch. If he wins he fights his contract out at 205 where at least people will pay to see if he can play with the big hitters. Dana knows how to play the game. He'll make UFC, GSP, and Silva lots and lots of cash. And a lot of fans very, very, happy.Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:41:24 GMT | jazefilms
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how can anyone say thats a good fight . gsp got knocked out by MATT SERRA .little MATT SERRA , and they want him to fight anderson silva no contestFri, 24 Apr 2009 11:22:59 GMT | jdl_722
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I think the fight will suck if it happens, although I'm addicted and will still watch anyway. These guys train for years at the same weight (or close to it) and then they want them to all of a sudden change weight for a fight? It just doesn't seem fair to the fighters or the fans watching. Seems to me it would be like putting a Corvette engine in a Yugo, or a Yugo engine in a Corvette. Although this idea will never happen, to be as fair as possible, hold it as an exhibition and have the fighters meet halfway between weight classes. A 7.5 lbs weight change isn't as bad as 15 lbs.Then after the fight...send them both to Somalia to kick some pirate **bleep**! I'll pay more than $45.00 to see that.
Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:34:17 GMT | Bubbas_Daddy
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(Quote)Silva vs. GSP would be a great fight at 185 or even 170 and for all you people saying Silva should step up weight for a fight at 205 he already has he fought at 205 at scored a k.o. after just 1 minute. Silva can do it so lets see if GSP can jump up a few pounds and take on Silva for the title of "pound for pound" best fighter(end Quote)Ha, and when Silva did "step-up" to 205 who did he fight smart guy?? Ken Irvin, a scrub by UFC standards. He didn't fight a top dog like Machida, Eavans, Griffin, or Jackson. Yet you think its debatable that to prove he can do it, GSP should step up in weight to fight arguably the best pound for pounder in the world?? What kind of logic is that? Silva hasn't proven he can move up in weight and beat the best, and as I pointed out in another thread, Silva fights in the UFC's WEAKEST division at 185. 170, 155, and 205 all have thicker talent pools than the 185 division, hell, thats why they had Bisping drop weight to fight at 185, its a thin division. I think GSP at 185 could be interesting, if HE thinks he can do it. The other thing here, is that Silva reportedly walks arround at anywhere from 215, to 225. Which is where most guys that fight at 205 walk arround at, so he's allready got a bit of an advantage over alot of 185'rs. Makes you wonder why he doesn't fight at 205 normally. I'll also point out that before the UFC got him, he wasn't undefeated. He has a handfull of losses on his record. So he's not invincible.
Sat, 25 Apr 2009 00:00:51 GMT | AGGAMEMNON
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And new fans will start paying - for a valid fight. I haven't paid yet, as I have not seen one worth it. Dana's on the right track- makin' money.Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:22:41 GMT | bwatts
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GSP is a great fighter as well as a person. However, I think his wrestling skills are excellent but his BJJ is insufficient to beat Silva.Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:27:19 GMT | Marx
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DANA, PLEASE READ!!!!!!I think an Anderson Silva v. B.J. Penn fight would make a better fight.
Basically, a chess match between two of the UFC's best BJJ practitioners!
Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:51:26 GMT | Marx