Now that Georges St-Pierre has beaten Matt Serra and become the undisputed UFC welterweight champion, the question fans are asking is who he'll fight next.
The answer is most likely Jon Fitch, and that would be a fine fight. But UFC prides itself on putting together more than just "fine" fights -- UFC is supposed to be about giving its fans the best fights. And the best fight imaginable in the sport of mixed martial arts is St-Pierre against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
The biggest obstacle is that it's just hard to see St-Pierre winning if he moved all the way up from welterweight (170 pounds) to middleweight (185). And Silva can't get down to 170 pounds. So they ought to meet at 180, a weight that Silva could reach safely if somewhat less comfortably and that St-Pierre could get up to and still be in top shape. They could call it the pound-for-pound title fight, and they could let both fighters keep their weight class belts when they moved back to their previous weight classes afterward.
That's a fight that should happen now because Silva is 33 and St-Pierre is 26. Silva won't be in his prime for much longer, so we can't wait a year or more. UFC has the two best fighters in MMA under contract and needs to put them in the Octagon together.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. That would be an excellent fight,although I feel Silva would dominate the fight,St.Pierre for sure wont back down.I dont think St.Pierre is a slouch by no means, I just feel Silva would get the best of him, and it wont last 5 rounds. Silva in 2. I think it should happen ASAP..for us MMA fanatics.
Posted at 11:00AM on Apr 20th 2008 by Nick
2. When you put Anderson Silva vs. St. Pierre its obvious who is going to win this, Silva. Silva, I think isn't going to lose another match for the rest of his career
Posted at 11:04AM on Apr 20th 2008 by Chad Carney
3. i am a huge jon fitch fan so, i would like to see him get his shot at the ww championship against st pierre. however, ill give credit where credit is due. silva and st. pierre are probably the two best pound for pound fighters in the world so a fight between them would be insane.
Posted at 11:17AM on Apr 20th 2008 by Jon
4. That would be a retarded fight that would tarnish GSP's image. Silva is much bigger thatn GSP both naturally and in his fighting weight. GSP wouldn't stand a chance against the bigger, stronger, and powerful Silva.
Posted at 12:39PM on Apr 20th 2008 by tseka23
5. This fight should not happen. Silva is a huge fighter for 185. There is no way that GSP could add the proper weight and strength to compete with Silva right now. Nor should he.
Posted at 1:27PM on Apr 20th 2008 by BrendanEff
6. It would be GSP fighting at a huge disadvantage.
He would be giving up so many inches in height/reach.
That said, GSP is so versatile that I could see him finishing Silva. It would be Silva winning 6/10 times in my opinion.
Posted at 4:27PM on Apr 20th 2008 by milton thuroughgood III
7. The matchup of Silva vs. Pierre is what I thought about as well after pierre took Serra to school. They are both in their prime. Some may argue that Silva has a natural advantage by his build. There is some truth to that but then what comes to mind is that bruce lee was 5'7" tall and 135 pounds. I have seen footage of bruce lee's power, like from a one inch striking distance knocking a guy completely backwards and on the floor that was larger than him. I might get negative comments on this but I happen to believe if the bruce lee in his prime were to fight either silva or pierre that lee would defeat them. Point is that size and weight may not really be as big of an issue when it comes to who the better fighter is. Silva vs. Pierre should happen, it would be good for the fans it would be good for the UFC and it would probably be good for Dana White, lets face it not being able to make the Coutoure and Fedor fight happen has been a huge dissapointment for fans and the UFC and putting a superfight like Silva and Pierre together would certainly get everyone's attention and interest.
Posted at 7:05PM on Apr 20th 2008 by PB&J
8. I honestly think that it wouldnt be a good idea to put this fight together. Not that I wouldnt want to see it, but the idea of putting it at 180 lbs and "Pound-for-Pound" title is ridiculous. There is no true way to measure pound for pound who the best fighter is. If they were to fight at 180 lbs, then we would know who the best fighter at 180 lbs is. Its still a weight class, regardless of what you call it. And people seem to be forgetting about BJ Penn. He is arguably the best pound for pound fighter as well. No offense to anyone either, but most people who watch UFC probably dont train MMA or in martial arts and just watch because they get to see people get beat up, not because they are interested in the skill and technique of these fighters. If one of these fighters wants to go after the other, the right thing to do would be to just move up or down weight classes. If they cant do it, then they shouldnt do it.
Posted at 2:26AM on Apr 21st 2008 by Josh
9. GSP vs Silva
At Olympic Stadium
Look how crazy it went for tickets for UFC 83
22 min sellout. tickets going for 4 times the price on ebay.
GSP vs Silva Olym^pic Stadium would get 50 000 people maybe more
Remember Duran Leonard
Posted at 9:05AM on Apr 21st 2008 by Fred
10. As most of you have already thought this, St. Pierre and Silva would be an excellent match up. The phrase, "pound for pound" doesn't represent people changing weight classes, whether going up or down and then fighting, it represents your abilities at where you are currently in your career and weight. Most locations have athletic commissions that regulate weight classes. These fighters don't necessarily have to fight in the U.S., but anywhere that allows both fighters to be in two different weight classes. If St. Pierre was to move up, he only has increase by 2 pounds possibly. The middleweight division starts at 171 and goes to 185. It's a matter of time before Silva ends up on a losing streak. The right fighter has to start that. From what I've seen, some of Silva's wins come from others slipping and making a mistake, and/or fatigue. It's not because Silva is dominating. Travis Lutter was actually holding his own against Silva and dominating, but exuasted himself too soon. Dan Henderson needed to keep his game plan when fighting Silva, but slipped up and took the defeat. Henderson more or less presented the opportunity for Silva to win. On the other hand, St. Pierre works for his wins. He could care less about people slipping and making mistakes, because he's already putting himself in positions to win before the other makes a mistake. St. Pierre has been getting so far superior in his training, that he now trains with and dominates others that are experts in their field. Either way, these fighters shouldn't change their weight one ounce. It's about who has the mental and physical ability to defeat your opponent, old school style. GSP all the way.
Posted at 8:10PM on Apr 28th 2008 by Lee
11. Another thing about St. Pierre's size. GSP has been considered a larger person for his weight class, quite close to having the deposition of a middleweight. Most fighters tend to go down in size when fighting in MMA. He is also 5'10" tall, as Silva is about 6'1" tall. There is not much of a difference. GSP would be the quickest and most agile opponent that Silva would have ever faced.
Posted at 8:18PM on Apr 28th 2008 by Lee
12. Silva v GSP would kick ass. Silva has long arms (probably a 77" reach) but he isn't huge, not a lot of muscle. He is fast and has great striking but GSP is a more well-rounded fighter. Silva has lost on the ground, been submitted a few times and that's how I think GSP would get him. Come on, Dana White, enough GSP fights some schlub at 205, let's see him fight GSP and then we'll all know who the best is
Posted at 6:05AM on Jun 22nd 2008 by Tom
13. Make that Silva fights some schlub at 205....
Posted at 6:06AM on Jun 22nd 2008 by Tom