Following Anderson Silva's impressive title defence early Sunday morning, UFC boss Dana White told reporters at the post-fight presser that the next title defence for Silva would be against current welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. Here is what we know so far: -- St. Pierre needs to beat Jake Shields, vacate his title, and permanently move up to middleweight before the fight can happen. -- St. Pierre has stated in the past he requires eight months to bulk up. -- Anderson Silva's title will be on the line. You can see problems emerging already. St. Pierre won't be fighting Shields until late April. He needs to win that fight. Afterward, if he is serious about needing 8 months to move up in weight, that puts a St. Pierre/Silva fight around New Year's Eve. This would put Anderson Silva and the middleweight title on hold for eleven months (after his last bout lasted less than a round). Therefore it makes sense that Silva would be fighting at least once in the meantime. There are two top contenders at middleweight right now--Yushin Okami and Chael Sonnen. Okami has been patiently waiting for his title shot for a long time but the UFC has been reluctant to give it to him. Injuries have played a part as well. As of yesterday Dana White had no intention of offering Okami a title shot although Okami's camp were reportedly expecting the offer to come. Then there is Sonnen, who's CSAC suspension runs out in early March. A Silva/Sonnen rematch is a money maker for the UFC. Sonnen has already started trash talking Silva on Twitter in order to start building the fight back up. There was some talk of Sonnen getting an "instant rematch" before his doping/money laundering problems bubbled up. Silva could fight X in April, Y in August, and St. Pierre in December. No reason for him to wait until December. That's why the Silva/GSP fight probably won't happen next.
It needs to happen regardless, and soon. GSP is really the only guy who I think will give Silva problems, and not get kicked straight in the face. Ground match will be hella exciting and maybe we can see GSP actually get aggressive and go all out. (Even though it's not his style, I'd like to see him go ape shit!)
Is it weird that I think Anderson Silva is the most talented and the best fighter in the world, but I think GSP would beat him...just lay on him for 3 rounds.
I'd still take Silva. IMO when he comes to fight no one can beat him. When Dana puts him in there with Maia, Laites, etc. he knows they're just a waste of his time. And Sonnen took it to him for 5 rounds but did we ever get confirmation on whether Silva was only going for a submission because of Sonnen's comments about a Noguiera BJJ blackbelt? Never noticed that Silva came out wearing a gi to that fight until the pre-fight hype vids for Silva-Belfort. When they were standing and Sonnen was rocking him Silva was just standing there. But more to the point, does a re-match with Sonnen help Silva prep for a GSP fight? Almost seems like Silva can get a tune up against a great wrestler in Sonnen before going up against the more well-rounded GSP. Also what happens post Silva-GSP? If GSP loses hes still permanently at 185. Does Silva just move up and GSP re-starts his quest for the middleweight belt? Will they do several rematches and milk the sh*t out of that cow? To be honest after GSP I'm really bored of Anderson at 185. Wandy is done and would have no shot against Silva. Brian Stann looks somewhat promising but I wouldn't give him a great chance against Silva. After that I'm uninterested. Move him up and let him go at it against Jones, Rampage, T. Silva, Rashad (he'd get embarrassed worse than Forrest with that chin lol), Shogun, etc. Those are fights I want to see.
Yeah, Silva needs to finish his career @ 205. Silva/Rampage Silva/Shogun Silva/Jones Silva/Evans Silva/Silva Move up. I'm more interested in him moving up than him fighting GSP.
Totally. 205 is full of sharks. He always talks about fighting the best guys for the rest of his career and he wants to do all sorts of shit (i.e. fight heavyweight, box, etc.) lets see that start happening. Him fighting at 185 is beyond tired. 205 has a TON of great fights waiting to happen. Lyoto is no longer the champ so he can really make a run at the belt. Hell I'd be all for some freak show shit and see him going against heavyweights. Silva-Mir, Silva-Schaub, hell put him in there with the big boys Carwin/Lesnar or even Silva-Velasquez. Not only interesting fights but some of those sound like BIG TIME money makers.
Dana White: Yushin Okami will get next shot at Anderson Silva if GSP loses. The timing still doesn't make sense. Maybe GSP can get up to middleweight in less time? [video=youtube;JE9k9QPYu64]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE9k9QPYu64&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Anderson is much bigger than GSP, but I still don't think he could stuff the takedowns. I think GSP would just lay on him for 5 rounds. I can't believe so many people want to see this fight. Anderson/Shogun is much more enticing, IMO.
Too bad it will never happen. They are like brothers. That is why Anderson didn't want to make a run @ 205 a year or two back...Lyoto was poised to make his run.
Silva is way too fast for Rampage, IMO. You remember how Silva danced around Forrest's hands? It'll be a repeat. I think Rampage would get picked apart. Still, I agree in concept with you...move to 205, damn it!!
