Quote of the Day: Dana White Still Backs Anderson Silva
by Luke Thomas on Feb 2, 2009 12:47 PM EST
in MMA News
Email
Print
"I still wouldn't call him pound for pound the best in the world, but he's No. 2, no doubt about it...Georges takes out Thiago Alves? He's on his way. I would say Georges St. Pierre would be neck and neck with Anderson had he not lost to Matt Serra."
-- Dana White, arguing that St. Pierre still has a hurdle to climb before becoming MMA's pound-for-pound king. And, of course, White is potentially setting the stage for a St. Pierre vs. Silva showdown.
31 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I think we all know that the Sera loss was a huge anamoly as he proved in the rematch. I mean, GSP destroyed Sera in that 2nd fight.
Looks like GSP vs Alves for sure now. Sweet.
Serra beat GSP worse
Serra knockin GSP silly> GSP using his size and physical gifts to control another small fighter… Its not his fault that Serra was smaller, but I dont know how repeated knees to the body> repeated punches to the face til gsp taps…
Serra got beaten to a pulp in the 1st round and totally dominated in the 2nd.
Serra caught GSP with a few lucky shots in the 1st. Nothing about GSP’s win was lucky.
I’ll give it up for Serra that 1st fight. Plus, Serra is a likeable guy so it’s hard to be upset about that guy beating anyone. And he was classy as hell in defeat when they fought the 2nd time.
by lbk on Feb 2, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
Likable is not something I ever would use to describe Serra. He just completely rubs me the wrong way whenever he talks, but that could just be me.
i agree.
I think he is a genuine guy, and pretty funny… I think people just hate Serra bc anyone who tells the truth about GSP, or has choice words for him becomes public enemy number 1.
I liked Serra on TUF.
Serra > Hughes in likeability :)
by xFenixKnightx on Feb 2, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t care for him either.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
It is weird to dock GSP some manner of credit for his loss to Serra considering GSP absolutely clobbered Serra in their rematch.
Silva has defended his title a few more times thus far and against a few more highly regarded challengers (Franklin, Henderson). Though, you can argue that holding the title doesn’t necessarily matter, considering GSP, since losing to Serra, beat Koscheck, crushed Hughes, crushed Serra, crushed Fitch and crushed BJ.
In short, you won’t get an argument from me if you say either guy is the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard
Also, when you look at the quality of competition factor, GSP has fought and defeated a tougher schedule of fighters than Silva. you have to factor that in big time.
GSP learned a lesson in the Serra fight. Since that fight, he has dominated his opponents with his wrestling. He utilizes a very cautious stand up game until he finds a take down opportunity. GSP’s strength has always been ground and pound. Since the Serra fight, he doesn’t even attempt to trade. Ground and pound dominated MMA for years until guys with good enough wrestling were able to neutralize it and keep the fight standing. It is interesting that GSP took wrestling to a new level and essentially brought back ground and pound as the most effective style in MMA. Stand and bang is over at 170 pounds until someone is able to out wrestle St. Pierre… which is going to be pretty hard.
If you want to argue that the Serra loss tarnishes GSP’s P4P credentials, then you have to also accept that Silva’s loss to Ryo Chonan tarnishes his credentials. In each case, a very good fighter lost in a freakish manner: a lucky punch behind the ear, or a once-in-a-lifetime submission. The only real difference is that GSP has convincingly avenged his loss, but Silva hasn’t (though I don’t think there is much doubt that Silva could easily beat Chonan if given the opportunity).
Different times in their respective careers...
Silva has gone undefeated to the UFC crowd… and has been one of the most exciting to do it (see Jon Fitch)… GSP has faltered 2 times right at what seemed to be the start of his peak… and was embarassed by Serra. He is just now hitting his stride, and his popularity should become even more ridiculous as this year, and possible streak progresses…
How can Dana say that Anderson is #1 P4P and he has Anderson fighting Leites?
"My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." --George W. Bush, The Decider, Lancaster, Pa., Oct. 3, 2007
I recall Fedor being # 1 Fighting HMC...
Thales isn’t some scrub… he worked his way to a title shot… its not as if its some travesty… what are they supposed to not have MW title fights now cuz Silva is the best?
Compared to gsp fighting bj, yes, Leites is a scrub. Not Silvas fault of course, but he’s not fighting anyone with BJ’s skills.
by lbk on Feb 2, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions
Why the fuck dont they...
have a rematch between Silva and Chonan? Seems logical to me. Same with Okami. I know I am beating a dead horse here though.
Chonan fights at 170 now and isn’t even a top 25 Welterweight. Even if he has a victory over Silva, they are just too far apart to make it remotely interesting. It’s not like Silva and Chonan can cut promos like Tito Ortiz and Ken Shamrock to create hype.
As for Okami though, I really think that fight should happen before people can claim Silva has taken out every top challenger. Too bad that fight won’t happen before the Fall at the earliest. if it happens at all. And GSP and Silva would probably have to keep winning for another year or so before a Silva/GSP superfight were to happen.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
