The UFC's Refusal to Promote Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva Is More Offensive Than the Collapse of Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:33 PM EDT
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When the negotiations for a "Superfight" between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. fell apart, MMA fans smirked and nodded. The general reaction was something like this: "You see, this is exactly what is wrong with boxing. They finally get a big fight that everyone wants to see, the fighters agree to all of the material issues in principle, and then it falls apart over some minor issue." Dana White was among those that mocked the sport of boxing for failing to promote such a huge fight.
He who lives in a glass house should not throw stones.
Most fans and experts agree that Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre are the top two pound for pound fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts. Over the last three years, both have amasssed resumes that nobody else in the sport can even approach. Despite the fact that the UFC has never announced or promoted a fight between the two, both men are repeatedly forced to answer questions about when they will fight one another. In the past week, the one issue supposedly preventing this fight was happening was resolved: Anderson Silva conceded on the issue of weight by repeatedly voicing his willingness to take on St. Pierre at 170 pounds. St. Pierre stated he would take the fight at that weight.
Here's the big difference between these two situations: Dana White has the power to make this fight happen. Every major issue is now agreed upon. All he has to do is sign off on the fight, put on a "UFC: Primetime" series and let the money roll in. Fans will be so galvanized against Silva as a result of this charade that they'll pay in droves to see a fan favorite like St. Pierre try to end his streak. Egos got in the way of Mayweather-Pacquiao; Dana White is currently all that is standing in the way of St. Pierre-Silva.
Even though a fight between Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre has not been announced, fans have loudly chanted for it all the way from Montreal to Abu Dhabi. Let me restate this, so that the importance of this point is not lost: fans all the way in the Middle East were chanting for Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva. We're often told that Brock Lesnar vs. Fedor Emelianenko is the biggest dream fight possible, and that a fight between the two would shatter all buyrate records. Despite the supposed groundswell of support for such a fight, we've never heard either man's name chanted at the other during one of their fights, and this is in spite of a concerted effort to do such a thing at UFC 100. We've heard it happen twice to Anderson Silva.
Here's a thought: what if the supposed support for Fedor-Lesnar is just hardcore media support, and actual UFC fans have voiced their "dream fight" preference loud and clear? The fans have made it clear again and again that they want to see Georges St. Pierre fight Anderson Silva. They've made it clear at autograph signings, they've made it clear at Q and A's, and now they've made it clear during Anderson Silva's fights. Is anybody listening?
Zuffa brass ought to think about what brought the UFC to the dance. A large part of it was creating the perception that the UFC responds to the fans, and delivers the fights they clamor for. If Zuffa decides to "punish" Anderson Silva with a meaningless fight and put St. Pierre against someone like Paul Daley, then I will have no sympathy for the company when its top stars continue to fight down to the level of their competition. After the disaster of a main event at UFC 112, Dana White promised to make it up to the fans. I'd suggest doing it by giving them what they are clearly asking for.
Finally, I'd like to address a persistent (and ridiculous) argument against this fight. Some people think St. Pierre will lose, so the fight ought not happen. Newsflash: BJ Penn just lost to Frankie Edgar of all people. Champions eventually lose one way or another, and it can either be in dramatic fashion in the context of a mega fight, or it can be in a dull fight that almost nobody remembers three days after it happened. The fact that one of these dominant champions might lose is not an argument against doing this fight. It's an argument in favor of continuing to book mismatches that result in pedestrian and disappointing performances.
I called for this fight shortly after UFC 100, and predicted that if we didn't get it we'd end up seeing a series of boring, uninspiring title fights from both men in 2010. So far, it's way worse than I could have anticipated if I was asked to draw up a worst case scenario. If the UFC really has the gall to book St. Pierre-Koscheck 2 and Silva-Belfort, they deserve the boring fights that are surely on their way.
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I dunno if I’d say it’s “more” offensive. They’re both pretty huge mistakes.
Got the Summer hatin on me cus I'm hotter than the sun. Got the Spring hatin on me cus I ain't never sprung. Winter hatin on me cus I'm colder than ya'll; and I will never I will never I will never Fall.
The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino
The only thing I would add is:
After Silva crushed a LHW in Forrest Griffin, almost all talk of this fight went away. Nobody was talking about it, they were talking about Silva vs Rua, Rampage and Mir…
Dana White said he was no longer interested in seeing Silva fight a smaller guy. I think almost eveyone believed it too. All this talk has just come back because of Silva’s comments about moving down and the crappy showing against Maia.
This isn’t really comparable to pacman mayweather bc of the great size difference imo but if Silva could somehow make it down to 170 I definitely want to see it. On the other hand saying that Belfort Silva is in any way offensive to the fans is asinine.
And I have a moral obligation to society to beat him up. He is a dirtbag anyway, whether he went out there and shook hands and was gracious or he didn't. Who cares? I don't know why sportsmanship needs to be involved, anyways. It's a fight - go do whatever you want. So, yes, I will do whatever I want. And when my music hits those speakers, I will make that walk and answer for my words
-Chael Sonnen on Anderson Silva
This article fails to mention that “Boxing” did not fail to make Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. happen, neither did the promoters. The failure falls on the shoulders of the boxers themselves.
GSP vs. Anderson Silva = Dana White, the UFC.
"There's nothing cool about taking punishment" - Floyd Mayweather Jr.
by VeeisAnimated on Apr 14, 2010 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions
NO
GSP and Silva can still find opponets to fight against in there Div in Boxing there is really just NO other fight that is possible that makes since from what i have gathered.
Twitter @mikemazzacare
Mayweather/Mosley is a great fight, Pacquiao fought a legitimate opponent in Clottey…but Josh shit the bed in that fight. THere are other decent fights in boxing for them, just like there are other decent fights for GSP and Silva. But nothing comes close to the mega fight in either case.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 13, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
Get the fuck out of bed... The day is more than half over...
Unless you live in a weird non north american country…
Clottey was as legitimate as they could find.
But he was coming into that fight on a loss to Cotto. While his win against Zab was very nice, the reality is that he was just the best option not named Mosley or Mayweather. He didn’t have a means for victory and fought like it. He was essentially a heavy bag for 36 minutes.
I like Rome’s writing style most of the time, but to call this the more offensive than the collapse of a fight where ego’s dictated the negotiations is pretty far fetched. I personally don’t feel that Silva deserves this. He acts like a child when he isn’t fighting someone he deems “worthy” and to reward him with possibly the biggest fight of his career for that behavior sends the wrong message. If you are the best fighter on the planet then fight like it, be a monster and knock dudes out. To do thigh punches and kicks to the knee is booty.
There are big fights available at Welterweight for GSP that I think you could sell very well. Silva just hasn’t done anything to endear himself to fans and he’s seen it affect his bottom line. Instead of seeing that as a reflection of himself, he’s decided to skirt the blame by saying these fighters aren’t worth his time.
twitter.com/thisredengine
by Matthew Roth on Apr 14, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
oh oh
just by reading the title I know this will get at least 200 hate comments
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
Yea and I just don’t understand why so many people dislike GSP.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
He’s the Tim Tebow( while in college) of the fight game. He’s clean cut, says the right things, and always looks dominate.
dominANT
dominate is a verb. Dominant is the adjective.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Apr 13, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I dunno to me both kos/gsp 2 and belfort/anderson are compelling fights
by nogroundgame on Apr 13, 2010 3:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think Vitor is the best match up right now. The deal with Silva is every one pussyfoots around him. No one pushes him. Vitor would go in all guns blazing right away and try to pressure Silva. That may be the weak spot for Silva. Vitor also has enough speed to challenge Silva. I’m not saying the fight would last long. But for that one minute it would be awesome. Which way it would go is hard to say.
Really
considering how he looked against Franklin and all of his talk before that fight I think Vitor would be rather patient. In fact it wouldn’t surprise me if that fight ended up going to decision.
"That's right I'm into hardcore crack, that's why my teeth are so bad"
In Franklin’s defense he did get clipped in the back of the head.
That fight happened so quickly, it didn’t tell us anything about Vitor.
- It’s not like Lindland didn’t go down in fight really quickly from a punch before. Pointing at Belfort’s Affliction bout against Matt Lindland.
- “I beat that guy already.” -Dan Henderson reminding Dana White and the UFC brass about his 2006 match against Belfort.
"There's nothing cool about taking punishment" - Floyd Mayweather Jr.
by VeeisAnimated on Apr 14, 2010 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
why are people interested in kos/gsp 2?
Why would it be any different from what the first one was? Are you equally pumped for GSP/fitch 2?
Dammit, they have to fight somebody. Can we please stop acting like we know how every fight is going to turn out?
by Rahson on Apr 13, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Ditto.
"There's nothing cool about taking punishment" - Floyd Mayweather Jr.
by VeeisAnimated on Apr 14, 2010 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
GSP vs Paulo Thiago
Is really the only WW fight I care to see unless Penn goes on a tear and re-enters the division. Obviously I want to see Silva fight him but in terms of current WW fighters the only one thats got me the least bit excited is Thiago . . . and he got out wrestled by the 1.0 version of GSP Jon Fitch.
by Johnnynumber5 on Apr 13, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep Paulo Teh Eagle is the man.
by Polyhedron on Apr 13, 2010 10:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Jesus Christ dude have you even seen that fight? kos actually put up a fight unlike other challengers.
by nogroundgame on Apr 13, 2010 4:52 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I dunno I think Kos may have been taken by surprise with GSp wrestling . Also he is the only one with good enough wrestling to compete. IF the D1 Champ cant compete simply put no one can. Kos has power. Sloppy but he does have power.
Its a rare fight where someone can force GSP to fight on his feet for a while.
I agree. GSP vs Silva above all else, but there are other good fights to be made. If it were up to me though, i`d have put on GSP – Silva ASAP.
Hello. I take stuff too seriously.
by The Flying Gentleman on Apr 13, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Most fans and experts agree that Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre are the top two pound for pound fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts.
I think everyone agrees that Fedor is #1.
And this fight needs to happen.
"It’s going to be like sex with a grizzly bear, you know, a lot of scratching and growling on both sides." - Don Frye
Relatively few people agree with that statement.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 13, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Probably just as few people agree with Rome’s statements, most experts and many fans have Fedor at least in their top 2.
Most fans? I seriously doubt that. Most hardcore fans, maybe, though he does come in 3rd in MMA Playground’s pfp rankings.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 13, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
D’oh. I missed the word “many.” I read it as “most experts and fans.”
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 13, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
No problem. I definitely believe the percentage of experts having him in their top 2 is higher than fans.
anderson thinks its himself and Bj
I agree. My top three are Bj Silva and Fedor it really doesn’t matter what the order is. They all are awesome. Killers my friend. …….killers.
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 13, 2010 6:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Trying to remember the last time GSP and AS beat all comers, even scrubs or one-punch wonders, across a 150-pound weight range over a decade-long period…
Oh wait, they didn’t.
by Tim the Enchanter on Apr 13, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Trying to remember the last time Fedor won a fight in the UFC.
Oh wait, he didn’t
Strawmen for everybody!
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
ZOMG UFC IS TEH BEST BROCKLESNAR ONLY CHALLENGER WORTH FIGHTING.
by Tim the Enchanter on Apr 14, 2010 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
To be fair, yeah, I’d love to see Fedor in the UFC, if only because they have a monopoly on the giant wrestlers. But I want to see him face Carwin, who I absolutely believe is going to beat Lesnar. Carwin’s got better striking, a lower center of gravity, equal wrestling talent and strength. Brock’s striking is his weakness right now, and I think he needs another year or so before facing a top-level puncher. Fedor would take his head off. But simply because he’s faced Rogers instead of Dos Santos doesn’t mean that 32-1*-1 should be discounted.
by Tim the Enchanter on Apr 14, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
True....
But just because the guy is bigger, dosnt mean hes better.
None of those fighters where faster then Fedor (except for glass-jaw Andre), and i think that has alot in how Fedor fights, if you faster, you can do better.
Also, Anderson and GSP have both beat all comers with ease and have flushed out there divisions of “real” challangers. Unlike Fedor, who cleaned out the Pride heavyweight division about 4 or so years ago.
"Everyone has a game plan, untell they get hit." -Mike Tyson
Yes, they have cleaned out their divisions, but let’s not blow that out of proportion. Just because a guy is bigger, it usually does mean he is better. We don’t have midget football leagues, we don’t have fat guy soccer. The best fighter in the world is the guy who, on any day, would beat any other fighter in the world. Carwin is probably the only guy who can lay claim to that other than Fedor. (Anderson is already a little porky at 205 and has beaten a tough, plodding decision machine in Forrest Griffin. That’s several parsecs below fighting Fedor. Besides, Fedor already beat the heavier version of Anderson in Cro-Cop). for that matter, let’s talk natural advantages. Speed is a gift – Anderson Silva supporters don’t claim that Maia, or Marquardt, or insert one-dimensional brawler/grappler here was too slow; they talk about how dominant AS was. Yet he and GSP are a LOT faster than their challengers; quicker on their feet, quicker with takedown launches. Some of that can be practiced, but most of it is just how much type 1A muscle fiber you were blessed with in your genes. Fedor’s never faced anyone fast? Cro-Cop was absolutely faster, and Fedor broke his will so badly that he never recovered. He also beat Arona, who was faster (and actually fairly analagous to a heavyweight GSP in his smothering, dominant, LNP style); Randleman, who was faster, etc. Hell, not only is Silva faster than everyone he fights, but he’s also TALLER, too, which makes a huge difference with a high-percentage keepaway striking game. So they’ve beaten guys within a 20-pound weight range easily, despite being more athletic than all comers, except for the times they, you know, lost. Nice work if you can get it.
by Tim the Enchanter on Apr 14, 2010 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Pretty much...
GSP vs Silva would be fun, but it isn’t:
The fight that will save the sport…
The fight that will set PPV records…
The only fight a lot of people care about seeing…
It isn’t even a fight between the two biggest fighters in the sport….
Anderson Silva may be the best, but he doesn’t have a huge following and he isn’t a big main event draw. Hardcores love this fight, but the masses probably could care less.
Additionally… a Silva win, hurts the rep of one of the UFC’s biggest money makers and that is huge.
I am not saying that I don’ want to see the fight, buu it isn’t at the top of my list. I’d persoanlly rather see Silva move up.
Additionally… a Silva win, hurts the rep of one of the UFC’s biggest money makers and that is huge.
I think that’s the main reason why the UFC is backing out of that fight, they can’t afford any chances of AS humiliating GSP (although I don’t think he would use those antics against GSP, but the chances are there nonetheless).
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
If Silva was anywhere near as popular as GSP, Penn or Lesnar this fight would happen
but he’s not and Saturday’s fight did nothing to help his cause.
I think it did plenty
ask people if they’d not love the idea of GSP owning him for 5 rounds after what he did Saturday? which AS hater would not watch that? They’d have faith in GSP, I don’t think people would miss this fight.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
but that would men the UFC was betting the house on GSP.
As I said above, Silva crushing a huge draw like GSP would be bad for business, unless Silva himself is a big draw. He isn’t and a lot of people like him less after Saturday.
BJ fans had grease gate to cling onto... Penn lost no luster to most of his fans.
If Silva wins GSP fans won’t have KTFO gate… Well unless Silva’s gloves are un taped and he has knucks underneath…
Well
I can’t speak for everybody, but I never gave a shit about grease gate, but I still got pumped for BJ Florian.
Anderson Silva won't be holding GSP down if he wins though.
He will be knocking him out. If the fight happens at 170, GSP would lose his belt and main event status for the next card or two… There is a lot more risk
I 'm a BJ fan and I thought grease gate was bull shit
by doonerthesooner on Apr 13, 2010 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions
no
I understand that, I just think that the fight itself would sell a lot, but I understand the reason behind the UFC not wanting to do this fight.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
The PPv itself would be solid, but that said GSP vs anyone is a solid PPV.
The what’s next is the big issue…
Right now GSP is a guaranteed 750,000 + ppv buy guy. A fight with Anderson would do at least 1.1 mil but if GSP gets owned is it worth having him drop down to only 500,000 a buy and, even worse, lose all that auxiliary drawing power (t-shirts, posters, video, etc).
All I can do is taunt the UFC and Dana with chants of “in the UFC the best fight the best” and “you can’t duck the top fighters in the UFC”.
I think it's worth it (for me at least)
it would answer all the AS haters who think a great wrestler and someone who does not get away from their strategy is the guy who’s going to beat AS, and this would answer that for good or bad.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
For me it is definitely worth it
The argument that supporters of the UFC as the NFL give is that it is the only way to guarantee that the best will fight the best. Well, we have two of the best under one tent and yet we’re still not seeing that fight. Let’s make it happen, otherwise the idea of promotions as leagues is useless.
These are the two most dominate fighters, lets have them fight. ;)
AS Hater # 1 right here (given your description).
by The Darkness on Apr 13, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Thing is...
If Silva had opponents as skilled as GSP to fight he would be a bigger draw.
He fights with as much passion as his opponents can instill in him. When he fought Maia he was simply bored. Maia was a last minute replacement who had no business being in the ring with Anderson Silva.
Give him someone who can push him and both Anderson Silva fans and haters will be pleased for once, instead of disappointed like they have been the last few matches.
"Give him someone who can push him"
is code for give hime someone who will swing first and keep coming at him with chin out.
For some unknown reason people think A.Silva would use the same tactics for every fight . . . that thinking baffles me.
"There's nothing cool about taking punishment" - Floyd Mayweather Jr.
by VeeisAnimated on Apr 14, 2010 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Nice article Rome
MaZZacre make’s a great point too. If UFC wants this fight they will make it.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong
you’re wrong, you’re wrong, you’re wrong.
once again rome knows exactly what kind of garbage to spew to piss everyone off.
props on stirring the pot though
everyones favorite whipping boy
by glassjawsh on Apr 13, 2010 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Care to expound on that because your reply is way more about stirring the pot than Rome’s well written post.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
by Day Man on Apr 13, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
sure
he can’t possibly compare boxing’s ONLY draws to the casual fan, to GSP and Silva. Silva has NEVER been the draw that a brock lesnar/gsp/bj penn/chuck lidell have been. Boxing NEEDS that fight and they still whiffed. the UFC will still chug along without Silva v St. Pierre
everyones favorite whipping boy
I think thats a fair argument to make. I don’t think it invalidates Rome’s sentiments but its certainly something to add to the discussion.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Why is everyone so ready to have the whole industry, the whole sport kneel to the whims of one super-talented jack-ass?
Anderson Silva is a fighter; he isn’t paid to be bored with his competition, he’s paid to win. I hate when people try to compare him to Michael Jordan. Here’s a little aside for the non-basketball fans out there.. MJ never took a night off, regardless if he was facing a team that had no chance of making the playoffs or division rivals.
but he did win
and he is super-talented, doesn’t matter if he’s a jackass. I rather watch his skills go against someone else who stands a chance and could give him troubles.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
I think fans correctly draw a clear line between being a jackass out of the ring (or off the court, or on the field) and being a jackass during the course of play.
Michael Jordan for all of his less than appealing personal traits, always respected the game of basketball, and gave his best on the court. Silva disrespected not just his opponent, but the sport itself with his antics.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Apr 13, 2010 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
quite honestly, and I’m not trying to sound harsh, I couldn’t care less. Give him people who he can’t clown around with and he’ll fight to the best of his abilities.
I really do sense that the MMA community is sometimes too sensitive when it comes down to “it’s bad for the sport” talk, AS is an athlete, he’s his own man, they’re not going to change the way he is inside the ring or outside of it. if he’s bad for the sport than cut him loose, if they’re going to keep him under their roster than give him good opponents, otherwise it’s just a waste of talent.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
by Orcus on Apr 13, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I won’t say that it was bad for the sport but I will say it was stupid and pointless. Silva is the man but if he was the deity that some of you think he is he would’ve destroyed Cote, Leites, and Maia. It’s not his opponents. He’s a head case. Silva dusted Chris Leben in ridiculously beautiful fashion. I’m guessing Leben is that guy that can push Silva to his potential, huh?
Silva is a counter striker
who feeds off opponents agression. Leben, Henderson, Franklin, Irvin, Marquardt and Griffin were all agressive and he destroyed them quick and easy. Maia, leites and Cote all did very little in terms of offense. He is who he is and thats someone who counters opponents mistakes more than going like Jose Aldo and throwing from the first ding.
by Johnnynumber5 on Apr 13, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Silva will be extra careful with bjj guys, clown strikers and the sun will rise tomorrow.
I just gave you 3 constants in ever changing world. You’re welcome. BE
"When i get in there, in his face ,pressin the action,I'm RUFF NECKIN'EM,I'm throwin him around,I'm punchin him,hes punchin me, I'm eatin his shots and I'm Blastin him back in the face he's not goin to be able to handle it ." - Chris Leben on how his fight with Anderson Silva is gonna go.
by Rayce. on Apr 13, 2010 7:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Silva is the Usain Bolt of MMA
he knows he’s the best and no one can F—k with him. Put him in there with someone who has talent or is a legitimate challenge. You can’t really get all fussy because the guy has personality.
Whats more insulting?
Taunting your opponent during the fight like Silva did and at least giving the fans a show and display of your talent or taunting your opponent before the fight like GSP did when he said Hardy wasn’t a true martial artist and giving the fans 5 boring and uninspired rounds? I’ll watch Silva every time over the new machine like GSP.
No one talks about how GSP clowned Hardy and talked mad shite about him but Anderson Silva shows his arse and all of a sudden he’s the talk of the town like Ben Rapelesburger.
by Johnnynumber5 on Apr 13, 2010 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions
You called what GSP said about Hardy, mad shit? Um..no. I watch MMA to watch fighters compete. I could give two shits about the talking. I love watching Silva when he brings it but what he did Saturday was garbage and no it’s not an issue of the opponent. Silva had plenty of chances to counter Maia. He just didn’t do it for whatever reason.
So now we we should be thankful to Silva for choosing to display his talent in two of the five rounds last Sat? Unless you include running in circles as a talent …
.............talent..............................
by dancingChicken on Apr 13, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
Who threw the most strikes in that gif? I count one Silva strike to Maia’s face and one sick knee from Silva to that ugly BSN logo.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
I am shocked, SHOCKED, that the commenter with the brazillian avatar is taking Silva's side.
David Price is better than your top young pitcher.
as opposed to Maia's?
who’s not Brazilian? be shocked then…
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
When he’s fighting up to his abilities, Anderson Silva is, bar none, my favorite fighter to watch. That said, I don’t see how you can argue that his behavior isn’t bad for the sport.
He is certainly his own man, but he is also the exorbitantly paid representative of the world’s largest MMA promotion. When he behaves like a petulant child and refuses to work for the finish against an over-matched opponent, he undermines the promotion, and by extension, the sport itself.
That makes him different from (and worse than) other high-profile sports heels who behave like idiots in interviews, but still give their full commitment to their respective sports.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Apr 13, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I just don’t take it the same way, we’ll have to agree to disagree. There is just a lot of stuff people say is bad for the sport, I don’t think I ever agreed with any one point regarding those statements. But at the end of the day, it’s like I said, if his antics are bad, than cut him loose, but if the UFC is going to keep him around, then there is no reason why he shouldn’t get bigger fights, because if they keep giving him these types of fights, expect more of it, and more damage to the sport :p
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
I actually think we agree on the main point — that Silva should be given the biggest, most challenging fights possible. But we disagree on his behavior and responsibility to the sport.
What’s strange to me, is that there was a time when Silva seemed to go out of his way to be respectful of his opponents, both before and after fights, which is something that made me even more of a fan.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Apr 14, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
that was all Joe Rogan's hype though
he’s always been that way (regarding his attitude, not the antics per se), a year ar so ago people thought he was the most humble person on the fight game and when I said otherwise I’d get hate comments back. He’s really been that way always, Ed Soares just sugar coats what he says so before he appeared to be more humble, Joe Rogan would also hype this pretence.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
You mean like when he shot a free throw with his eyes closed?
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Michael Jordan for all of his less than appealing personal traits, always respected the game of basketball
I was responding to the above. Jordan shooting the ball with his eyes closed “disrespected” his sport the same way Anderson “disrespected” his sport.; which is to say in my mind not at all
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
All I know is..
..if Pac-Man or Mayweather decided to dance around the ring and completely not engage their opponents, we’d be here announcing the death of boxing.
Mayweather is one of the best defensive boxers ever. Hes not big on engaging his opponent either because he knows he can win without doing so. A lot of people find this style to be offputting but Floyd keeps taking home the W and collecting his money.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
I’m not bashing counter-punchers like Silva and Mayweather (pun sorta intended). But Mayweather wouldn’t be able to get away with clowning his opponent like Silva did Maia Saturday night. And then acting like he forgot how to swing at his face in rounds 4 and 5.
I don’t really have anything to add regarding rounds four and five as really only Anderson can tell you his reasoning for refusing to engage, however, it is the responsibility of the fighter losing the fight to take risks. When the fighter leading the fight doesn’t engage it might not be entertaining but it is smart (in terms of guaranteeing a win not necessarily from a long term money making perspective) but its certainly not disrespectful to the sport.
I also think the gap between Anderson and (Cote, Leites, Maia) is much larger than the gap between Floyd and his opponents which is why Floyd can’t get away with doing as much clowning.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
but what do you guys want to do? Should AS fight the way you want him to or the way he wants to? If it’s a sport, he has his way of fighting, he decides that, not us. We are free to enjoy/hate his performances, the UFC is free to keep/cut him from their roster, and Anderson is free to choose how to perform. it’s really that simple.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
Silva should fight the way he was fighting when he broke Demian’s nose, absolutely. Me being upset with him isn’t the fact that he’s a counter-puncher, it’s that he had opportunities to finish the fight and just let it drag on for no reason.
And a reason I’m pushing for Vitor Belfort is because he’s a striker, and the way to get the best performances out of a master counter-striker is to put in a relentless striker. That’s why I don’t think the GSP fight would be interesting.
I think it would be entertaining, but that’s just me…
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
Haha.. I agree to disagree then, my friend. No worries, you’re still a much better conversationalist than some others on BE.
Its the old “irresistable force meets the immovable object”.
The funny thing is that I disagree with both of you, I think its an EXTREMELY interesting fight but not necessarily and entertaining fight to watch.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
I think
given his history, it will resemble more of the Hendo fight than the Leites fight if Andy wins, and if he loses, it will resemble any fight that involves GSP :p
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
I’d be extremely stoked if this match was booked and GSP committed to exchanging at least as much as Hendo did. I just worry about the worst case scenario: Anderson picking GSP apart, avoiding the takedowns and getting the decision or GSP taking Silva down and controlling for a boring victory.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
I just don’t see this going to decision if Andy takes it, GSP is going to be coming forth for takedowns and get picked apart on the feet. But if GSP is successful in implementing his game, than I see a decision to the fight. I give more chances for Andy in this fight though.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
What makes you guys think GSP is going to be picked apart so easily when they do exchange? I’m not saying he’s the better striker or anything (perhaps he has better kicks), but the only time he`s been out struck in his career is against Serra. Even in that fight, he was winning the stand up until he got hit behind the ear and was dropped. GSP is a very good MMA striker. ESPECIALLY if he can wear Andy down some on the ground and with the take downs. And after watching him tire himself out from dancing around Maia, i’m not all that impressed with his gas tank.
I don’t think GSP could win a decision in an ultimate kick boxing fight or anything, but he’s not about to get Forrest Griffen’d. He won’t be helpless while the fight is standing.
Hello. I take stuff too seriously.
by The Flying Gentleman on Apr 13, 2010 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I said those were the worst case scenarios not that I thought Anderson would easily pick apart GSP standing or that GSP would easily take down Anderson and control him.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Yeah, sorry, those were just my more general thoughts on the fight.
And that GSP will instantly get knocked out is a sentiment i’ve seen around so i just wanted to get a contrary POV out there.
Hello. I take stuff too seriously.
by The Flying Gentleman on Apr 13, 2010 6:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I personally thought Demian Maia/Anderson Silva was interesting too, but I was pretty confident Silva wasn’t going to test himself on the ground, which ensured it wouldn’t be entertaining.
So which fighter do you find irresistable Day Man?
I'm the best ever. You're the most average in a minute.
And NEW UFC Welterweight Runnerup of the World.....Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy!
by slapjaw ackrite on Apr 13, 2010 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I know this is going to sound like an excuse, but it was said (before Soares said it himself), that he could not find his distance in the latter rounds. Before anyone say I’m being bias here, think about what I just wrote because it makes him look bad, not good. But in any case, you are free to believe that or not, truth be told I remember something similar when watching the fight, he was complaining with his corner about the distance.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
Dikembe Mutombo
Jordan was talking to him and he said that he was going to shoot the free throws with his eyes closed and make it,
Mutumbo said that he wouldn’t make it,
Jordan closed his eyes,shot the ball and made the basket and said welcome to the nba
If Michael Jordan came in against the Clippers and decided to play in his warm-ups and t-shirt, because they weren’t ‘worth it’ to change, that’d be close to what Anderson Silva was doing.
The comparison doesn’t hold water because the sports are different.
The real comparison would be if the NBA had not shot clock and the Bulls went up 30 points early in the game and the Clippers refused to try and score and Jordan just stood there instead of playing pressure defense.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
he’s paid to win
Anderson Silva has won every UFC fight he has ever had.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
I love ass-kickery..
..but not at the expense of the sport.
Anderson Silva defenders seem to be okay with him hijacking the sport, just for the here-and-now. What kind of precedent does this send everyone else? They can essentially no-show whenever they want, because they feel like they’re talented enough to do so?
Except
… Silva DOESN’T no show.
He shows up, wins the fight, and then realizing that it is pointless to keep hurting his opponent meaninglessly he backs down and clowns around.
I think it’s quite clear he has clear disregard for anyone standing in front of him. I’m not one of those traditionalist that think cheering after you win or touchdown dances are the work of the devil, but the guy was just wasting everyone’s time.
If you outclass the guy, finish the job, no excuses. In that case, he did no-show.
We aren't asking the sport to kneel to Anderson's whims
We are asking the sport to kneel to the fan’s spoken desire. Why is that so hard for everybody to understand? Why should we “punish” Anderson at the expense of the fan?
But actually, you are when you condone his childish behavior in the latter rounds. Why is it considered ‘punishment’ by certain fans to have Anderson defend his title against contenders? I don’t understand the outrage of having Belfort go after the title, aside from him not having fought other contenders yet.
Is it compelling, sure
But it is not as compelling as the numbers 1 and 2 pound for pound fighting. No, not at all.
The problem I see with Silva vs GSP is that GSP doesn’t like to stand and trade anymore. I don’t know if it’s Serra’s fault or not, but it’s obvious from his last fight. GSP clearly outclasses Dan ‘ardy in the stand-up and he still JakeShielded him. What do you expect GSP to do with a guy who’s striking is from another planet like Silva’s?
Belfort/Silva is much more compelling, in my opinion. At least they’re both willing to stand in the pocket and trade blows.
I’m basing this on past performances. GSP out-struck ‘ardy and still preferred to lay-n-pray. I can’t even say he was ground-n-pounding, because he wasn’t. Yes, he was actively going for submissions, but it didn’t work out for him with that gameplan.
So everyone wants to see GSP take Silva down and submit him, I take it? I’m not trying to be agitating, I’m honestly asking how proponents of GSP/Silva see GSP winning the fight..
"GSP out-struck ‘ardy and still preferred to lay-n-pray."
See your whole argument is based on this fallacy about what lay ‘n pray is. It’s not what GSP did. GSP was actively improving his position and looking for submissions in order to finish the fight.
Lay ‘n pray is defined as a fighter who takes their opponent down and literally lays on top of them without looking to improve position or actively search for a finish and prays they don’t escape until the end of the round.
My apologies.. I knew that would get me in some trouble. You’re right, GSP did go for 2 killer subs, it was ‘ardy being stubborn that didn’t finish the fight.
But I just don’t see a much smaller-framed GSP seriously threaten Silva. Believe me, I’d love it if he did, but I don’t see it happen.
So you’re advocating against the fight because GSP won’t “stand and bang”?
There are legitimate reasons not to make this fight, that is NOT one of them.
Everyone blames Joe Silva and Dana for the Saturday night fight because of Demian Maia, and how he wouldn’t engage in a brawl standing with Anderson Silva. And everyone’s counter ideal match is GSP, so I’m under the assumption that everyone thinks GSP will roll the dice and stand with Silva?
If you want a world-class wrestler in there with The Spider, make him defend his MW title against Chael.
That is a totally inaccurate summation of the opinions coming out of UFC 112. The criticism of booking Damien Maia had nothing to do with his willingness to engage and more to do with the idea that he was just an overmatched opponent.
And there isn’t an MMA fan on the face of the planet that believe GSP’s gameplan would be to stand and trade with Anderson.
Jake Shields has finished 8 of his last 9 fights, 6 of them in the first round. Not finishing Miller, who has notoriously good sub defense (and who GSP couldn’t finish back when he was finishing everyone), does not make Jake Shields a synonym for lay n’ pray. Please don’t use it as such.
by HarmlessNinja on Apr 14, 2010 7:54 AM EDT up reply actions
that is to say
silva and GSP are not hands down no brainer MMA’s biggest stars
everyones favorite whipping boy
That is vey true...
Silva may not be in the UFC’s top 5 biggest stars to casual fans… He has never drawn big numbers without the aide of someone like Penn.
I can’t remember who, but somebody reported there was a Fedor chant during the main event at UFC 112 also. I don’t recall hearing it, but I’ll try to dig up the link.
Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo
by ANance on Apr 13, 2010 3:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
No matter how dominate both guys are...
Promoting the fight immediately after a 5 round decision that some people thought was boring, and a 5 round decision that will go down in history as one of the most embarrassing isn’t exactly the best business move in the world.
Give them both a fight they can actually devastate and leave no questions or doubts, and then make the match. For instance, winner of Wandy/Sexyama vs Silva, and winner of Koscheck/Daley vs GSP.
Yes, you can say there is a chance that one of those challengers would pull it off, but I’m pretty sure you’d get two convincing victories against somewhat name/easily built opponents to set up the super fight. It doesn’t make a huge amount of sense to go with the super fight when Silva’s draw is at it’s lowest unless you’re talking about putting it on Free TV, which isn’t going to happen.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com
I’m guessing pretty much everyone who says they would no longer pay to see Silva fight would sprain their wrists ordering Silva-GSP. The whole lowest draw thing is blown way out of proportion.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
He also drew the biggest buyrate of his career after the Leites disaster. And this show (112) looks to have not done that well on PPV, I don’t even think it was widely seen.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that Forrest should be mentioned as a significant reason for the increased draw for his PPV following Thales
He is for sure. It took a fan favorite people believed in to get people to buy his fight.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions
And BJ Penn
Anyone else think it’s weird that Penn has been on the same card as Silva his last 2 fights and with Chuck Liddell before that? Does Silva have some kind of clause in his new deal that he gets to be on the same card with an established PPV draw to up his pay?
They were probably trying to keep him happy.
Anderson-Forrest was the main draw on that card. You can tell by looking at the trending data surrounding the card.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
He drew it against one of the most popular fighters in the UFC...
You could say the same about GSP, but I think the difference between the Leites and Maia fights are that Leites caught the majority of the flack for that fight, where as Silva is a two time offender, and Maia is catching virtually zero of the blame. It’s going to raise questions on if he’s actually going to fight GSP, or run again, specially from the non-hardcore fan that doesn’t really think about, nor care about Silva’s idea of real competition.
As far as the buy rate goes? I don’t know that it matters since I’ve heard not one, but two syndicated sports radio shows talk about the Silva flight, including the Jim Rome show today. This story sadly has legs outside of the hardcore tape delay watching fans.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com
Real fans know that when Silva is up against a strong opponent or a fellow striker who isn’t afraid of him he shows up big.
I don’t really get why Maia is taking no blame when for the first 2 rounds his strategy was to huddle up on his back every time he got hit hard and hope that Silva went down and would take it into a ground match. Despite Silva making it obvious he was going to play by his rules.
Maybe because it was on tape delay?
And everyone knew the results already?
How did it do compared to other tape delayed cards? Thats the question. The last one I remember was Henderson vs Franklin.
by Johnnynumber5 on Apr 13, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it would
think about it, everyone loves GSP and right now, everyone hates Silva. People will tune in in hopes of seeing GSP kicking the crap out of him, I think this would sell a lot, capable of breaking 100 sales? I think it can come close…
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
That's really what you'd be hoping for...
My assertion is though it’s less Silva hate, and more Silva disgust specially with the last two rounds of the fight when Maia was basically going in full bore with very little defense of any kind almost begging to be knocked out by a counter-striker of Silva’s caliber. His little bout of running around and doing nothing hurts him a lot more as a draw than any taunting possibly could.
If he had taunted the hell out of Maia, acted pretty much like a prick in the middle of the ring, goaded Maia like crazy, and then when Maia finally went all out just absolutely devastated him with a counter or a knee, you’d have a ton of Silva hate and possible Silva has the biggest draw of his career. He’d be a bigger “heel” fighter than BROCKLESNARRRR could ever hope to be, but he didn’t.
I think GSP being on the card basically guarantees 650k+, but I don’t think you’re going to beat the numbers for UFC 116, let alone 100 without a fight to wipe the bad taste out of everyones mouth.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com
naw, it’s both disgust and hate, and that should add to the buys, I think they could come close to UFC 100, maybe adding another big name as co-main event.
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
If they put this on 116...
It’d without a doubt beat 100, but I don’t see it happening.
Lesnar v Carwin
GSP v ASilva
Wandy v Akiyama
<Insert Random Fight here, possibly even a Bones fight>
Sozyizkikikikiiy v Bonnar rematch
All on July 4th weekend? You could be looking at 2 million buys, if not going for the PPV buy record.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com
plus
AS would not be the main event (since everyone is acting like he can’t anymore).
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
Correct...
Lesnar/GSP would be the primary draws. I’d also say the Anderson Silva has never really been a great draw on his own, he has always been in the second tier of draws in my opinion.
He’s not with Penn/Griffin/Couture/Liddell and some of the others. He was a draw, but when he was murderizing guys his language barrier hurt him, and then once he got that fixed to some extent he apparently has stopped murdering guys. Even his impressive win against Griffin wasn’t exactly comparable carnage wise to his previous beatings.
Here is an oddball question though.
Should you make this card, and should you decide you want Jones on the card, who do you put him against?
My random thought? Randy. You’d be adding another draw, Randy is a legitimate threat without being that incredibly dangerous and wrestler vs wrestler usually gets quite a bit of striking going. Could definitely be one of those fights where you rub the stardom of a one guy off on another.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com
I don’t think Randy can make 185. Give him Paul Harris though, should be good.
AS was never a big draw, and I can’t understand why people are now all of a sudden unimpressed with his performance against Griffin, that was a one sided beat down/humiliation, ain’t no hate for that!
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
Huh?
I think you’re confused, both Randy and Bones are fighting at 205 right now.
And I wouldn’t say unimpressed, just less satisfying then say, the Franklin fight, or even the Hendo fight.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com
DominANT
jeez, I’m going to start banning the next person who uses dominate as an adjective.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Apr 13, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 4 recs
I think that should be a rule.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 13, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m getting a little annoyed that proper grammer is dominanting this conversation.
THREE MUSKATEERS BAR P4P BEST HALLOWEEN CANDY
by BloodbathAndBeyond on Apr 13, 2010 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Disagree with some premises
I feel one of your main points is based on an incorrect assumption. When I hear fans chanting GSP during Silva’s fights, I don’t hear them calling for him as an opponent. I hear them calling for him in Montreal because it’s freakin Montreal. In Abu Dhabi it’s because the guy is sitting right there. They’re not saying ‘hey there’s a guy that could give him a better fight’, they’re simply saying ‘we like this guy better’.
I think you give the crowd FAR too much credit.
Yeah it’s a big fight, but it’s not so big as to be imperative right this second.
makes a lot more sense for them to be calling the fight instead of just acknowledging him in the crowd.. out of nowhere… in the fifth round…
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
by Orcus on Apr 13, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wish this post had a poll- which fight would you rather see, a) Fedor vs Brock, or b) GSP vs Silva. To me Brock vs Fedor is much more compelling at this point for a number of reasons.
by ufc4 on Apr 13, 2010 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
totally agree fedor/lesnar is much more interesting.
by Gerrymanderer on Apr 13, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Which fight the hardcore fans want to see is pretty much irrelevent. They will always skew Fedor. If getting their preference mattered Affliction would still be in business.
They’re a good indicator for some things, but not for PPV success of any important measure.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
If I had to take a guess it would be that any superfight Brock is in is going to be the one casual fans want to see.
it's not realistic right now
my vote would be Silva/GSP
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
Well, Fedor is #1.
Which is why the real fight Dana should (and could) put on it’s Anderson v Fedor.
I’d give my left nut.
If we're going to dream
Brock vs Fedor and Silva vs GSP on the same card.
If Silva wins he gets the winner of Fedor vs Brock on the next card (come on Fedor).
And what if GSP vs Silva Is boring? Who do we blame then?
by MickDawg on Apr 13, 2010 3:12 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Excellent.
Bolts from the Blue // "He looks like a catfish" - Nick Hardwick on Brandon Siler
Bloody Elbow // " looks like your comment violated rule #4. and it’s a heck of a rule, rule #4" - Kid Nate
by Richard Wade on Apr 13, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm sure people will blame Silva
even though GSP would also be fighting
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
It depends
Is it boring because GSP is on top of him the whole fight, but can’t finish it? Or is it boring because Silva can’t light him up standing but chooses to run away?
GSP vs Silva, but NOT for ww belt
Yes, everyone wants to see GSP and Silva fight, that fight should happen from the spectator pov and from the fighter pov of building a legacy. If Silva goes all the way to 170 and wins the belt though, who the hell is even going to remotely challenge him at WW? We’ll be in an even WORSE situation now where Silva is bored of fighters at two divisions. If this fight happens, make it catchweight so both fighters concede some weight cut/gain, make it non title for the reason above, and make it 3 rounds so each fighter knows they have to make things happen fast and not feel each other out for 2 rounds.
Yeah, I see potential for all sorts of headaches if Silva wins the WW belt Him and Soares are bad enough with the MW belt. Just imagine what they’d pull if they held two belts! All of a sudden, half the UFC isn’t worthy of fighting Silva.
I don't want to lick any butt. - GSP
To be fair, half the UFC ISN’T worthy of fighting Silva. In fact, It’s probably more like 90%. That includes heavyweights ;)
by HarmlessNinja on Apr 14, 2010 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions
This is the best argument against the fight, and I’ve thought about it. You can do it non-title, there are lots of options, including a fight at 175 or something. There can be room for flexibility to solve this issue, but I acknowledge this is a legitimate concern.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Catchweight bout at five rounds would be ideal. I know Dana doesn’t want to do five roudn non title fights, but you can have it billed as THE Superfight of the decade or something. That way if Silva wins, he won’t have two belts, and if GSP loses, it won’t hurt him at WW necessarily.
I don't want to lick any butt. - GSP
There’s even internal talk at UFC about creating a one-time pound for pound championship to get it to 5 rounds. There are clever ways around this problem.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Any chance of holding the fight in an area without an athletic commission to allow for a five round non-title fight?
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Some comissions already allow for it. Dana has just chosen not to do it (yet).
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I hope Texas does, this would be the perfect fight to put in Cowboy Stadium. Guarantee this will sell out.
by The Bronzeville Bully on Apr 13, 2010 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s interesting and the UFC can certainly rationalize a 5 round non title fight anyway they want. The only reason I like a 3 over 5 rounder is that it puts pressure on both fighters to finish, whereas a 5 rounder gives them some breathing room to take it slower at the start. And really, if both GSP and Silva stepped in and fought to win from the get go, this fight would NEVER last 5 rounds.
Pretty similar to that superfight championship Shamrock got.
by The Bronzeville Bully on Apr 13, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought about the catch weight aspect but there is no way that you can put on this fight and not give it the potential to go five rounds.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Agree with you, they’d need to find a way to make that work. There are options.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
UFC Tag Titles?
"Even the Swedes are getting mad."-Randy Hahn
"It's very cozy in the sin bin."-Randy Hahn
Don't fully agree.
I agree with the fact that many people want to see this fight. I would atherosclerosis watch GSP vs Silva then Fedor vs Lesnar. It would be a great fight.
To state that this is more offensive than Prettyboy Pacman is ridiculous.
This to me sounds like an attempt at getting some attention. Good or bad.
by Gattsuberserk on Apr 13, 2010 3:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I'm all for GSP/ Anderson, but I don't understand why it needs to be at 170?
185 makes much more sense.
I guess the main point here is that Anderson has fought that low before and GSP has not fought that high. Since Anderson already agreed to it, there seems to be no reason to re-negotiate the point when it was the most difficult sticking point in making this fight happen.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
it was the most difficult sticking point in making this fight happen.
It has been? I seem to remember GSP saying that if his walking weight gets above 200 pounds he’ll have to make a permanent move to MW. Moreoever, I refuse to believe that Anderson can cut to 170 without any ill effects, while on the other hand GSP could fight at 185 and have no issues whatsoever. Having the fight at 185 entails that both fighters would be in prime condition.
by WestbergIDFC on Apr 13, 2010 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
while gsp fighting at 185 wouldn’t necessarily have immediate physical effects like weight cutting would, he would be giving up a significant amount of size and reach, which would have a large effect on his strategy. a grinding, ground n’ pound, wrestling strategy might work well for him at 170, but would it work for him at 185 when he’s the smaller guy? a lot of people have argued that anderson cutting down to 170 would even out the playing field a little as it would probably result in a loss of power, speed, etc.
by kanginator10 on Apr 13, 2010 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
GSP doesn’t want to move up to take the fight and I don’t blame him. His body and fighting style are perfect for 170 but there is worry that it would take him a long time to build up the muscle necessary to be as effective at 185.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
GSP doesn’t need this fight to do great PPV numbers, so he won’t risk moving up to 185.
Anderson hasn’t been at 170 for a few years already, and even fights at 205. It’s clear that Silva will make concessions to double, possibly triple his average PPV payout.
At this point, I believe he’ll take on any fight at any weight with any fighter who would get him above his average PPV buyrate.
by MickDawg on Apr 13, 2010 3:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I don’t understand where this comes from? Like I said above, GSP has said numerous times that once he hits a certain walk-around weight, he’ll move up to MW, not just for one fight, but permanently. All of a sudden he’s unwilling?
by WestbergIDFC on Apr 13, 2010 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed
meet in the middle with no belt on the line.
by Johnnynumber5 on Apr 13, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Honestly the more I think of it the more I realize that Anderson Silva is the P4P best.
I don’t think GSp has a chance in hell anymore against him.
With AS improving his distancing each and ever fight he has no doubt gone into a Machida like transition.
GSP is totally fucked. Not to mention he’s scared. GSP is after all a sane person. Very few people on this planet would not feel threatened by Silva. Fedor and the Lesnar Carwin super monster group. Can you really blame these guys for being scared? I can’t I shit my pants everytime I see him fight.
We see how gunshy GSP was against Hardy did we not. It was a trap fight for GSp but lets be realistic GSP cannot strike with AS.
You have to at least be able to threaten with strikes or be able to strike for a while for the set ups for the takedowns to work. AS is just as fast as GSP if not quicker.
If you guys want a complete breakdown maybe Ill start a thread later but I don’t want to get to in depth. It will take a while.
GSP wants nothing to do with it. Dana wants nothing to do with it. GSP is only what 28? He is the future and the now. Sure he will always be downgraded forever but its better to have his following defend him than to have the proof of the humiliation.
We should leave this fight alone. Its too catastrophic .
Ladies and gentleman, the “I’m a mark for Anderson Silva” argument.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Hey man I like GSP. Shit I love watching him fight even the Hardy fight was interesting to me a little dull but GSP is a top level fighter I would be stupid to disregard his skill .
I do a little less of caring about the person I really only care about the fighter which is why I may have some conflicting views from you guys.
With AS improving his distancing
You mean like how he couldn’t find it for half the fight against Maia?
You mean 2 rounds. AS from rounds 1 and 2 is the AS we would see against GSP. Do you really think otherwise?
I don’t have any idea, the Anderson Silva we saw in the first 2 rounds has been missing for about 70% of his last 4 fights.
Actually the AS from the first two rounds was pretty much how he fought the entire Leites fight. Throwing from unorthadox angles, keeping his hands down, trying to goad the opponent into an exchange. Same with the Forrest fight; Forrest happened to fall for it.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Yea its all a matter of you engaging. GSP is not going to engage either. hes not stupid. It would be a boring fight def.
actually i disagree
GSP has to close the distance, he knows better than to stand at striking range with Silva. He’d try to close the distance, in which case he’d take a nap.
by LeeroyJenkin$ on Apr 13, 2010 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Just like Maia did when he closed the distance right? but obviously Maia is a way better striker than GSP.
by The Darkness on Apr 13, 2010 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
AS seems to only come out for 2 rounds. He plays with you in the first and finishes you in the second. Anything after that means you bitched out and he doesnt care anymore. The only reason the fights last that long is when people dont want to engage when hes ready to finish. Lol. As diva as it sounds it true.
I will finish you now if you like. No? Alright fuck you Im not doing shit else I will just embarass you and out point you.
What I don’t get is if he felt so disrespected why toy around with the guy? Knock his ass out and prove a point to him.
I dunno hes like above that. Lol he rewards you with Koes. Hhaa he is a sick fuck to say the least. He is a sick fucking bastard thats for sure.
If Maia really wanted it he could have came after Silva and been brutally knocked out like everyone else. Spider seems to only enjoy the counter striker role and only coming forward when trying to finish an opponent is rocked.
Hes got such a god complex that hes like you are not worthy of my highlight KO reel. You will suffer dancing and toying around for punishment. Haha!
The problem with that thinking is he’s only punishing his own bank account by doing that stupid shit.
Hey I never said he was smart. He seems to be a martial artists at some times and an idiot businessman at others.
He is def doing some you are not worthy shit regardless of what he wants money wise. He probably assumes his skill means everything which to me is true. I dont care what he is doing clowning around I have never seen another fighter capable of clowining around like that against serious threats.
AS literally plays with his food.
That AS is always around and ready for at least 2 rounds. Probably more for people he is actually threatened by. Cote, Leites and Maia never went in. They stood on the outside waiting for him. Anderson forces you to play his game. These guys did not and that is why it was so boring.
The only way to beat him is to go after him. yet that is where he is best at. That is why hes a bastard.
He still was never taken down by a guy who was able to take down Olympic Level Wrestler Chael Sonnen.
Maia has some very interesting takedowns via failed takedown half guard lockdown switch which was amazing.
Sure GSP is better than Maia but Maia is no slouch. The problem Maia had was being within takedown range.
With AS Machidaness long limbs and ability to hit you with legs knees and fists while moving backwards is a huge fuckin problem
And we all thought you getting taken to the woodshed for assinine stream of consciousness nonsense last week would’ve taught you a lesson. Guess not. I’m sure we’ll all be waiting on pins and needles for your new breakdown thread on this fight.
If you wade through it, there is some good stuff in there.
“AS literally plays with his food.”
“The only way to beat him is to go after him. yet that is where he is best at. That is why hes a bastard.”
by HarmlessNinja on Apr 14, 2010 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions
The only way to prove p4p is to have them fight....
Silva vs. GSP should happen.
I would love to see either of these guys fight Fedor. Fedor weighs 230, Silva walks at over 200 and GSP is around 195. That weight difference is smaller than even Lesnar/Cain would be and much smaller than Randy/Lesnar.
If we look at those three, who wins? I think Fedor is the favorite in each fight.
They finally get a big fight that everyone wants to see, the fighters agree to all of the material issues in principle, and then it falls apart over some minor issue.
That’s not an accurate characterization of why Pac v. Floyd fell apart. The drug testing issue was central to that fight not happening. And, drug testing in boxing is virtually nonexistent, so I don’t really blame Floyd for refusing to literally put his brain on the line when the guy with 7 tats says “I don’t like needles”.
"Yes Gina, I am a Wise Cracker"
by lcollins1 on Apr 13, 2010 3:22 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
In the context of a fight negotiation, my impression is if you go talk to any lawyer or promoter and ask them for the material terms, it will be issues of weight and MONEY. Drug testing is usually a commission matter.
As such, I was summarizing the general response of MMA fans, not trying to characterize Floyd negatively. I don’t even want to get back into that.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
It is usually a commission matter, but the commission’s have done arguably the worst job of any professional sport; and that’s in a sport with the most severe potential consequences.
I think you’re right, I don’t think it’s a material term from the promoter’s perspective. But it shouldn’t be an issue resolved by the promoters. It should be regulated by the state agency(commission), and they don’t do it. So if a fighter wants protection in 2010, it’s incumbent upon him to make it a material term.
"Yes Gina, I am a Wise Cracker"
Lesnar/Fedor
will still be a bigger fight in terms of viewers. I think we are over analysing the call for AS/GSP to a point where it is bigger than a fight warranted for years between the sport’s biggest draw vs its best fighter.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
100% true...
The best fighters aren’t the same as the biggest fighters… None of the casual fans I know have ever mentioned the idea of GSP vs Silva…. Fedor vs Lesnar and even Silva vs Lesnar I have heard though.
Honestly,
the ball is now in GSP’s court. Anderson has said he’s willing to drop down. Dana White has said all this stuff and how he’s not interested in that fight anymore.
But I guarantee you if its GSP who comes out in the media and starts making noise about how he wants Anderson Silva, it will happen. I say they do it at 177 pound catchweight. Five rounds- they can make it happen.
So I could see it happening, but I think it’ll take for GSP to open his mouth.
I don't understand at all why you wouldn't want to see this fight
I can understand if you don’t want either champ to put up a belt, that’s fine. I can understand if you would tolerate GSP/Kos2 and Anderson/Belfort, that’s fine. But flat out not wanting to see this fight? Whhhhaaaaaaa?
by Neil Manich on Apr 13, 2010 3:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It is definitely
The biggest fight the UFC can put together from its stable of fans. You can make the argument of Brock/Fedor, but that is not a viable option like this is.
Nevermind Brock/Fedor...
Brock/Mir 3 would out sell GSP/Silva even if they booked it today…
Regardless… Manny vs Floyd has potential to be the biggest boxing match ever…
GSP vs Silva probably does not. It might not even be the biggest fight of the year. That is all I am saying.
No
Noway Brock/Mir 3 would out sell Anderson GSP. This is just something we are going to have to disagree on because there is no way for either of us to substantiate our claims. But there is no way Brock/Mir 3 does better.
Every Lesnar card does over 1 million buys.
ans while GSP can draw some big numbers I don’t think he will be beat a Lesnar show if they go head to head.
Brock vs Damn near anyone out sells anything. Lol.
by p123 on Apr 13, 2010 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I want proof Silva can make 170.
So to me, the solution is first booking Anderson vs. Fitch. This does a few things. First, Anderson has to make the weight. Second, it punishes people Dana is pissed at. Fitch won’t fight Koscheck? Great. Take on Anderson effing Silva for your title shot. He can easily get crushed or clowned. Anderson won’t fight in the cage? Great. Get worked by a beastly grinder a division lower. No matter who loses, Dana gets his personal satisfaction. Lastly, it matches Anderson, a non-draw, against another non-draw. Put it overseas with a weak co-main.
To summarize: We learn Anderson can make 170. Anderson or Fitch gets embarrassed, either of which makes Dana smile. Anderson fights a PPV with no draw and gets almost nothing from his bonus. Anybody dislike this?
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Apr 13, 2010 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Who does GSP fight in the meantime
And do you want Anderson to vacate his belt at Middleweight? What happens there?
I still would like to see Silva vs Vitor. I think thats high up on my lfights I want to see Silva do.
I really want Silva vs like Lesnar or something. Carwin or Cain . I really want to see Silva pushed to the max. Unlikely seeing how HW is the new golden division and if Silva however unlikely does win he would tarnish that.
HW on the up > >>> AS punishment.
Who would GSP fight while waiting for the winner of this fight?
"Even the Swedes are getting mad."-Randy Hahn
"It's very cozy in the sin bin."-Randy Hahn
This is for you and hlebtasic:
Who does GSP fight? The winner of Kos-Daley is a no brainer to me. Paulo Thiago will have certainly earned it after he bombs Kampmann. There are still fights for him at WW.
As for Anderson’s MW belt, whatever I guess… BJ went about a year not defending LW and was ok. This will take about 10 months to work out when you think about it, probably a total of 13 months max before Anderson returns to MW.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I think I like GSP too much to watch him fight Silva. Its just not right I don;t want to see the best welterweight in the world possibly humiliated.
GSP is a fan favorite. You guys really want to see that? WTF I thought you guys liked him.
Listen Best case scenario GSP wins thru top control which would be pretty boring. GSP is not finishing Silva. I think GSP has zero chance to finish Silva. Maybe less than zero.
Worst Case Scenario GSP brutalized by KO early after receiving a serious humiliating beating or GSP getting beat up bad and humiliated and then outpointed while AS dances making a fool out of GSP.
Where the fuck is the upside for GSP? Its not worth it. If you guys really like GSP which you do seeing as GSP has the biggest nuthugger group out there , you will ease back on wanting to see this fight.
I love GSP
As a fight fan though, I want to see a GSP vs. Silva fight.
"Even the Swedes are getting mad."-Randy Hahn
"It's very cozy in the sin bin."-Randy Hahn
Hilariously, fighters and trainers who actually know what they’re talking about think this is a very close fight, especially at 170.
by Michael Rome on Apr 13, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I would also say that I am pretty confident in that I know what the fuck Im talking about. Now I am not a fighter nor trainer however I am a passionate fan who can watch fights and understand complex things like advantages and disadvantages. This is rocket science. I can’t get you into too much detail of how to manipulate fighter A on top of you to do one thing or the other and then employ the sweep at the perfect time but, I can be aware that it is happening and make note of it.
DING DING DING!
Listen guys, Anderson Silva would clown GSP. That much is clear. GSP couldn’t finish an over-matched Dan ’ardy, so what makes you think Anderson Silva would face karmic-justice by facing a smaller fighter in GSP?
Listen guys, GSP would clown Anderson Silva. That much is clear. Anderson Silva couldn’t finish an over-matched Damian Maia, so what makes you think Anderson Silva would have any hope facing an infinitely better fighter in GSP?
by The Darkness on Apr 13, 2010 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The upside for GSP is if he somehow manages to win he cements himself as the P4P best and maybe best ever.
It would take
Fedor vs Lesnar plus a GSP or Penn title fight to outdraw UFC 100. The aura of the 100th event, plus Brock + Mir + GSP is almost unrepeatable.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
I think Fedor vs Lesnar would have a real good chance to eclipse it. It’s the one fight that would garner the most mainstream coverage. I think it would get a momentum of it’s own and turn into the mma equivalent of Ali vs Frazier or Ali vs Foreman.
I dont think Fedor/Lesnar alone can eclipse 1.7 Mil. It needs a strong co – main event. The need to watch the 100th event among fight fans casual and hardcore had alot to do with it. Bisping/henderson exposure on TUF helped too.. GSP/Alves was decent attraction too.
I am. I think. I will. - Ayn Rand
One more CBS show with Fedor... Especially if it is promoted the way the Shields / Henderson
He will have some major momentum and Lesnar is worth 1 million buys on his own.
I was with you all the way until the last sentence.
Vitor could surely make Silva swallow his pretty white teeth.
by nitro on Apr 13, 2010 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Vitor certainly has the tools to accomplish this. Vitor’s heart and progression to wilt under pressure however don’t make this a likely scenario. Although I would be super pumped if they make that fight. Vitor is the only one with the skills to take out Silva with the hands. Hes def quick enough and has enough power. Just that damn heart.
I think he’d totally be motivated, especially since Maia was disrespected and him and Maia are friends.
I absolutley think Vitor would be motivated. How don’t you get up for the P4P champ? Anyone who fights Silva will be at their best.
I never mentioned Vitor’s motivationg though, just his heart.
If Vitor encounters trouble he will go into survival mode like any sane person would.
If AS does the bring it now muthafucka routine I see Vitor shying away and surviving for the next 3 rds.
Yes this fight not happening has obviously hurt the UFC, there’s a reason it’s on the verge of collapse, why it’s losing money by the gobs, not entering new markets, not getting more and more mainstrem coverage, and why UFC 115 ticket sales are so poor.
THE SKY IS FALLING!
CATS AND DOGS, LIVING TOGETHER.
MASS HYSERIA!!!
by SidHartman on Apr 13, 2010 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
UFC Politics
During the fight Joe Rogan said if Silva won he would fight GSP at 170, they even had GSP cage side . . . I think he was going to go in for a stare down and everyone was set to announce the next UFC superfight. Dana got so pissed with Silva he left the building and said “FUCK IT”, which is a damn shame. I’d love to see the fight and see GSP get worked over by Silva.
This is one of those situations where the UFC isn’t just punishing Silva but also the fans who have been clamoring for the fight.
Anderson was willing to chase GSP down at 170 to get the fight in the first place since Georges was to afraid to fight him at MW or at a catchweight. The fans deserve and demand this damn fight.
Maybe I was the only one but after UFC 112 Anderson Silva became one of my favorite fighters. I guess I like confident showman but I wasn’t a huge fan before and afterwards I was pumped. I’d rather see Silva clown a guy than watch GSP hump his leg (kidding!) for 5 rounds.
agreed
i found silva entertaining.
shields vs GSP for the Leghumping Championship.
by LeeroyJenkin$ on Apr 13, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Thats true
But I was really entertained by the whole thing and it actually saved the show for me. Seeing Silva do his Machida, Rampage, Roy Jones and Capoiera impressions while clowning Maia was more entertaining to me than watching GSP take Hardy down and hold him on the ground. Thats me. I was entertained by Silva and not my GSPs most recent fight. As I said, Anderson is now one of my favorite fighters. You’ve got to be a bad dude to taunt your opponent like that, dropping your hands and urging him to punch you. I was like . . . Silva has gone off the deep end and I LOVE IT.
by Johnnynumber5 on Apr 13, 2010 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I must have missed something
Did Silva pull the padding from his gloves?
Did Silva tape his hands up with plaster?
Did Silva get caught greasing his body or using a banned substance?
No? Well, if he didn’t break the rules and his crime was acting like an asshole against an outclassed opponent then it doesn’t make sense to me to punish him by putting him against inferior talent when the proper punishment is putting him up against fighters that may be able to challenge him. This is a win-win for everyone. Anderson can’t afford to screw around and we the fans get to see great fights. And if that includes GSP, why not? If GSP is the best fighter in the world, as many claim, why not test it with a fight against another one of the greats. And even better for GSP, it will be at his natural weight. There is no excuse, doing otherwise would only cutting off our noses to spite our faces.
Hooray, we disagree for once!
first off, gotta point out that he did grease against Leites but got wiped down immediately when his corner called BOOLSHEET. Second, I wrote a fanpost about how Anderson did actually break the rules. And the title is fuckin’ creative shit. Check it out, and feel free to call me an idiot for whatever reason you feel appropriate!
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/4/10/1415041/anderson-silva-broke-the-rules
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I really like that article but
(d) Is guilty of a failure to give his or her best efforts, a failure to compete honestly or a failure to give an honest exhibition of his or her skills in a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat;
(e) Is guilty of an act or conduct that is detrimental to a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat, including, but not limited to, any foul or unsportsmanlike conduct in connection with a contest or exhibition of unarmed combat; o
d is intended to prevent fighters from throwing fights for monetary or personal reasons, and doesn’t really pertain to fighters coasting to a victory (there was a discussion and breakdown of this on another blog). Now e? Not sure. I think that applies more to acts that could threaten the safety of another fighter or a refusal to compete at all. Insulting and showboating? I have never seen those punished by the NSAC before, so I don’t see how they would start now . If no one bothered to punish Rampage for beating a downed Wanderlie how could they go after Anderson?
As for the greasing incident? Fuck, I forgot about that. I put it in to rile up the GSP fans.
Also, this part from the comments section:
13:46-24A.15 Fouls
(a) The following are fouls and will result in penalties if committed:
…
16. Stomping of a grounded fighter;
17. The use of abusive language in fighting area;
You are correct about the fight throwing thing being the intended purpose of the rule, but prevents this rule from being enforced outside of that. ( e ) is a very broad provision, basically saying “Don’t fuck shit up or we can punish you.”
I’ve stated over and over that I don’t expect any of this to be enforced, whether they should or not. Not making that call. Just bringing it up for people who say that Anderson just did his job or that his performance was acceptable because he didn’t break any rules. He did break rules. Several of them. And that more than justifies the collective outrage.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
I'm not going to defend Anderson
He acted like an asshole. But I think the best solution to this problem is putting him against better competition (or better yet, have the ref do what they rules call for and threaten then deduct points if he keeps the behavior up), not banishing him to the prelims or blocking great fights from happening. I wonder where the outrage from the mma community was when Rampage was pounding a defenseless and unconscious Wanderlie Silva after their fight ended? That was much more detrimental to the sport than Silva’s masterful display of jerkiness.
The spiteful person in me wants Anderson to be on prelims so he has to look good to get airtime.
It would ruin his sponsorship opportunities and make him pay for being a tool. But then I remember this is a sport and he’s one of the best in it.
You’re spot on. Refs need to act on the rules more, and so do commissions. Palhares’ suspension seems like as good a place as any to start punishing conduct unbecoming of the sport. Mirgs warning Anderson was the right direction, but ultimately a failure to act. Rampage not earning himself suspensions for his “energy drink incident” or those extra shots to Wanderlei is unforgivable, but not a justification for overlooking future infractions.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
Not interested in GSP vs. Silva. I think it wouldn’t be an interesting fight, I think it would be a snoozer.
Now Anderson vs. Machida, Jackson, Belfort, Evans, Lesnar, Mir, Velazquez, or even Big Country?
I’m in. I’ll give the UFC 55 bucks right now.
by Amsterdaam on Apr 13, 2010 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
UFC was close to making this fight but Anderson blew it.
Blame Anderson.
by snakecharmer1340 on Apr 13, 2010 4:42 PM EDT reply actions
I Think this fight will happen. Let Dana blow off some steam and he’ll come to his senses. It’s not like he wanted to do this fight, I heard internally he was talked out of it because it might mess up GSP’s aura
by The Bronzeville Bully on Apr 13, 2010 4:47 PM EDT reply actions
Yup
I’d bet thats the one thing keeping this fight from being made. Silva is older (34 I believe) has previously stated he didn’t want to fight much longer (don’t know if this stance has changed) while GSP is still young, speaks two languages, has mainstream appeal . . . basically GSP can be the face of the UFC for the next 10 years and Silva can’t.
I’d bet anything that this fight was going to happen but Dana was looking for a reason not to make it happen. We’ll get Mir vs Silva now instead of seeing GSP get in there with the Spider.
by Johnnynumber5 on Apr 13, 2010 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Dana did all the right things
He picked up on AS’s comments and had GSP waiting at cageside to stare-down AS after his dominant victory of an overmatched opponent.
Put yourself in Dana’s shoes. He’s just taken millions of dollars from Abu Dhabi investors, and puts on a big spectacle in AD so they can see what their money has bought. Instead, his number 1 employee (as far as his own hype stands) fucks him in front all this new money in the company. Goddamn right he’s pissed off! If AS was an employee in any other large corporation, he would be summarily fired and never work in the respective industry again.
I can’t help but think these articles blaming Dana for this situation are quite disingeneous and are basically blog trolling. The BE staff know that this topic, and any involving Dana are big hits and big commented articles.
by brad23 on Apr 13, 2010 5:43 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
If AS was an employee in any other large corporation, he would be summarily fired and never work in the respective industry again.
No, no he wouldn’t. When you’re the best in the world in a field that brings in a ton of money you get a lot of leeway.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Rome is right
I disagreed with his assertion last week when he referred to fans who thought GSP should go up in weight (for perhaps a super-fight) “Pseudo informed”
I’m happy to see you saw the light after AS performance the other day. GSP & AS are both extraordinary individuals and it would be a shame to not see them fight in their primes.
From Jon Jones Twitter
jonnybones
Fighting A.S. is all I’m hearing lately.. wild 2 evn think about with only 2years of training behind me. Only God knows wht the future holds
by milliondollardreams on Apr 13, 2010 6:35 PM EDT reply actions
Jonny, Jonny, hes our man! If he can’t do it..its because its completely fucking unreasonable to expect someone who has only been training for two years to beat Anderson Silva.
Hmmmm, thats not as catchy as the original.
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Seriously. Jones is going to be amazing and is already great, but get real folks.
Hello. I take stuff too seriously.
by The Flying Gentleman on Apr 13, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Your right Jones is just too inexperienced . The experience was a major factor in Vera and Hamill. Oh wait?
Jones has the skills to beat AS. Brutally I might add. No one else on this planet can say that. Regardless of age or if he is ready or not he has the tools to brutally beat AS. I would seriously seriously like to debate why he can’t . Please humor me.
than book it Joe Silva!
I’m done with endless debates about predicting fights that hasn’t happened, let’s do it and find out!
(btw, Anderson would murder Jones :p)
Don’t let anger get in the way of comprehension
Your right Jones is just too inexperienced
Yes he very much is too inexperienced.
The experience was a major factor in Vera and Hamill. Oh wait?
Since when is beating up Matt Hamill and Brandon Vera evidence that a fighter can beat Anderson Silva?
Jones has the skills to beat AS. Brutally I might add.
Jones has shown an impressive ability to get fights to the ground against guys who have no ability to establish and keep distance. He has also shown that his long limbs give him a huge advantage in landing strikes when in the guard, however, he has yet to face anyone who is a threat to catch one of those long arms in a submission while he is attempting to land strikes. I am also hoping you aren’t including his striking in your analysis of his tools because he has shown nothing in his striking game that would do anything except open him up for brutal counter strikes to a fighter with fast and accurate counters.
No one else on this planet can say that.
Other than Lyoto, Shogun, Fedor, Lesnar, Carwin, Belfort, etc
Regardless of age or if he is ready or not he has the tools to brutally beat AS.
You mean if he was a better more experienced fighter his physical tools could possibly beat Anderson Silva? Yes, I suppose that is true.
I would seriously seriously like to debate why he can’t
He has a ton of holes in his striking which is a function of his inexperience and has never been exploited by an accurate and dangerous striker, would be making a jump in competition only measurable in lightyears, has never faced anyone with fast striking, has never faced anyone who is a threat to sub him once the fight hits the ground and Jones is an inexperienced submission grappler with long limbs which is a pretty good receipe for a submission loss, has never had his chin tested, has never had his gastank tested, has never faced the pressure of fighting for a title and is fighting one of if not the best fighter on the planet.
Please humor me.
Done
How did I end up on this bandwagon and why does everything say property of Chael Sonnen?
Enough already
Why can’t champions just be champions? Why all this lets float around with the belt crap? By the way it was’nt all the fans around the world who thought this up. What douche bag wanna be writers did is keep mentioning it like it was fact until after awhile people mistook it for the truth. The old Richard Gere with the gerbil tatic. This sites writers for instance have multiple times put words in peoples mouths. What happens after this mega fight …..you got it you just sold your car for gas money.
Stay the course
The heat from AS last fight and Sonnens verbal abilities will make their fight a must watch and I know people still want to see what Belfort can do. As for GSP theres always Koscheck 2, Semtex, Thiago, Alves 2, and maybe in the future Howard. Theres plenty that always has and still will happen to make both weight divisions interesting. But when I see people write things like they need this fight to save the sport I wish they could see that the sky is’nt falling and that you can’t believe everything you read.
by darkside3744 on Apr 13, 2010 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
This isn't nearly the megafight people think it is
Fact is, Anderson isn’t a draw. He wasn’t a draw when he was trying, and REALLY isn’t a draw after a string of god awful performances. The fans don’t want to see him fight.
I would imagine there would be a slight uptick in PPV buys from the internet hardcore, but UFC would have to stack that card with another strong fight to even scratch 700k.
Fact is, DW & Co. are in this to make money. AS vs. GSP doesn’t make sense financially.
Let’s break it down:
We book AS vs. GSP. Let’s assume this takes place at 170lbs. This fight alone will NOT be a mega draw. AS when not backed up by someone else tends to pull in around 400k. Even fighting Henderson that’s the PPV numbers he pulled, and that was before he started all these terrible shows. GSP vs. Penn pulled in big numbers (1.3M) but that’s because you had two very popular North American champions, that were also very popular in different regions and fanbases. GSP vs. AS won’t get anywhere near those numbers, I won’t even know what 1M buys smells like unless Brock Lesnar is on the card too.
But the fact that we’re doing all this for not much payoff aside, let’s go over the next moves…
GSP wins….Some people who are irked at AS got to see AS get his ass kicked. He goes back to 185 and keeps beating people, his tarnished image even MORE tarnished because he just got beaten by a smaller guy. His already low fan value gets even lower. He continues to get “uninteresting” fights and put on shitfest performances.
AS wins….well, this is interesting. We now have one champion defending two separate belts. Now keep in mind, BE put on a bunch of articles complaining about UFC’s PPV cards being bad, and the belts not going up enough and causing a general downturn in UFC events. But now we’ve got a guy tying up two divisions. Once he has the belts, then what? Do you consider Koscheck vs. Silva a good fight? Does SILVA consider that “worthy” of him? How often is either belt going to get defended? Do we just go an immediate rematch and have GSP vs. Anderson Silva for the next 2 years?
Now do either of those outcomes sound awesome? Not to me. It seems like the people clamoring for this matchup have put absolutely zero thought into it. Expected from a message board troll, disappointing from a site writer.
I am sure this has already been said but
THERE IS A 25 POUND DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE GUYS. GSP is not even one of the biggest WWs out there. Silva is a very large MW. GSP is just now getting up to 195 and Silva, when not training, walks around at 220-225.
This makes no sense. Silva should move up to LHW. That makes sense. Unless Silva is going to cut off a limb and move down, this is a horrid idea.
I never supported the GSP /AS fight because it implied hat GSP would have to pretend something that he is not…a middleweight. Having the fight at 70 or 75 is a fine concept but there there are so many better fights for AS at LHW or HW. We all want to see AS in an all out muay thai batttle and we defiently wont get that in a GSP fight. We probbaly would if he fought Mir for example. BTW Mr.Rome, AS v. Belfort CAN NOT be boring no matter what universe they fight it.
At this particular time I agree with Dana. I wouldn’t do the GSP/Silva fight right now either. It would be real hard to maximize the profits on that PPV because of the negative opinion people have of Anderson Silva right now. Of course sometimes a negative opinion of a fighter can help sell a fight but not when that negative opinion is based on buying a PPV to watch that fighter run around in circles and not fight for half the fight.
So in my opinion Dana can’t entertain the idea of making that fight right now out of fear Anderson wins the first couple rounds and decides to get back on his bike to coast to another victory. Dana needs to have confidence Anderson Silva is going to go out there to at least try and give the fans what they paid for. Anderson needs to rehabilitate his image some in the eyes of the PPV buyers. Then ask Dana if he would be interested in putting on mega-fight between GSP and Anderson Silva.
Just BE.
Chael vs. Spider
First I want to see the Belfort/Silva fight. I believe that fight ends in the first round and its up for grabs. Then I am dying to see the Chael Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva fight. Chael knows how to speak really well. He is going to mess with Anderson like there’s no tomorrow. He will sell the fight as good as the best of them. Call me crazy but I wouldn’t be shocked if Chael pulls off the “FRANKIE EDGAR” on Silva. I believe Anderson has shown that he is a major head case. I believe that Chael can get into his head and grind out a victory. Chaels skills keep getting better and better. He has a great competitive drive. I believe he’s convinced he can beat Silva. The mental edge is huge in that fight. What do you guys think?
Chael has the mental fortitude and that X factor that gives him a chance against any opponent. But the fact is he is notoriously susceptible to submissions. Anderson’s guard and body triangle are more dangerous than he’s had a chance to show (he hasn’t had to, much). I give Sonnen a better chance than most people but I doubt Anderson loses that fight.
by HarmlessNinja on Apr 14, 2010 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Determing Mental Toughness.
On you’re assuming Silva will actually be paying attention to the diatribes from an American opponent. I really doubt anyone will run up to Silva and say guess what Chael said!!!
How can you really guage who has a mental edge in a fight, especially concerning two different personalities like Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen.
You believe Anderson is a major head case. You believe. He’s a little odd but then again most fighters are in my opinion. Anderson Silva rarely explains himself in detail like Frank Mir and Chael Sonnen. We know so much about guys like Mir, GSP, Sonnen, Couture because they’re willing to reveal, engage and share some of their thought processes. But that does not make them necessarily tougher than some other fighters. I can not say Demian Maia is mentally tougher than Chael Sonnen and I cannot determine if GSP is mentally tougher than Hardy, Fitch, Koscheck or Paul Daley.
End note: When asked about Anderson Silva, Matt Hughes recently offered that he attributes Anderson Silva’s success to his mental toughness. Now keep in mind, Hughes is not a huge fan of Silva’s antics in the ring.
"There's nothing cool about taking punishment" - Floyd Mayweather Jr.
by VeeisAnimated on Apr 14, 2010 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions
Sad to see this place becoming the next Sherdog, because the articles get worse by the day and the UFC hate and ignorance flows like water. There is nothing more offensive than what Andy did on UFC 112 to reward his bitchass behaviour would be the biggest misake the UFC has ever done. Not to mention that the only people who clamour for this fight are hardcores and not casuals who could care less about Andy and who he fight now.
Thankfully Dana doesn’t listen to armchair wannabe owners or bloggers who have some sort of obssession with bashing everything he and his company do. Honestly what the hell happened to the balance and objectivity that originally drew me to this site. Now it’s basically become “things wrong with the UFC.com”, it’s pathetic and embarrasing and somebody needs to wake up and realise that his place is becoming a joke.
The premise of this article is flawed
Just because the fans want something, does not mean that Dana and the UFC should do it.
For example, I’m sure fans would want a drastic drop in the price of PPVs. Does that mean it should happen?
If Silva were matched up with GSP at 170, I’m 99% sure that Silva would be favored.
So, you want to match up your most charismatic star who is a good solider to boot as an underdog against a guy who’s one of your least marketable and shown time and again that he’s willing to go against UFC management’s wishes?
What are the pros? A huge mega fight? It’s just one fight. If GSP wins, it will cement his legacy, not that his legacy is in any danger.
Cons? Plenty. If Silva wins, you have a mercurial champion in two weight classes. The UFC would be subject to Silva’s whims. You diminish GSP’s marketability. In short, a disaster.
And as someone posted above, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is the only interesting fight left in boxing. There are plenty of interesting fights left in the UFC. No one is going to stop watching the UFC if this fight isn’t made.
Would I want to see this fight? Of course. I love watching Silva fight when he actually fights. But Dana and the UFC don’t have to make it and would actually be pretty unwise for them to do so. Instead, feed Mir to him. Randy Couture would be another great draw. Both of those fights would be great draws and have little downside for the UFC.
by Pantherhare on Apr 14, 2010 12:55 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Uh, Not Even Close
Those 2 fights are nothing alike for a couple reasons:
1) Silva-GSP can still happen. Neither camp is ducking the fight so putting it on while Silva is unpopular is RETARDED. The Pac-Money fight was tried and ducked by the fighters themselves. It will never happen because they don’t want to fight.
2) There many other superfights for MMA fans to salivate over. Personally I’d rather see BJ-Aldo and Silva-Machida before GSP-Silva. Pac-Money is the only fight left in boxing anyone cares about.
3) Both fighters need to be popular when it happens for it to truly matter. Having Silva-GSP because Silva needs better competition is a complete waste. Pac-money were both at their peaks when their fight fell through. It gets less interesting every day.
I’m guessing that Silva-GSP will happen once Silva gets a tougher fight where he really showcases his talent. People want to see the Best vs. The Best. Not The Best vs. The Bored.
Odds are, the Mayweather/Mosley fight will probably be the biggest PPV of the year buy wise. That’s for a fight that supposedly no one cares about, should you listen to a lot of the people here. If they’re that far off on the premise, then how close are they going to be on the conclusion?
Silva/GSP would do a great number and make a lot of money. It would be a fight everyone would talk about. It would probably be a great fight. What real MMA fan would want to see Koscheck/GSP 2 before this, especially if Silva really can drop back down to his old class of welterweight? Anyone who wants to deprive themselves of a megafight to see boring and repetitive defenses is pretty suspect.
Not Yet
Mr. Rome, I like most of what you write but I’m going to have to disagree with you here.
It’s been said above, the cons of this fight outweigh the benefits. To compare the situation to boxing, where there are very few credible match-ups for Mayweather and Pacquiao, is off base.
Do I want to see Silva-GSP? Yes. Is now the time for it? No.
Putting on this fight means no new title fights at MW or WW for six months at least, when both weight classes already have multiple challengers waiting in the wings (Sonnen, Belfort, eventually Marquardt; Koscheck/Daley, Fitch/Alves; Paulo Thaigo), some of whom have been promised title shots already. This is assuming there’s no controversy and calls for an “immediate” rematch (Machida-Shogun II will be 6-1/2 months after the first).
If they do it at 170, a GSP win would most likely be a rather pedestrian points victory and deal another blow to Silva’s fragile drawing power. A Silva win is even worse, because Silva’s victory would likely come by stoppage, damaging the UFC’s young, high-drawing star and forcing Silva to bounce between TWO weight classes for his already-sporadic and lackluster title defenses. If Silva beats GSP, do any other WW match-ups appeal at all? Not to me, and probably not to him either.
The UFC already has a problem spreading out the title defenses to boost PPV buys, having only four champs instead of five (one of whom is getting older and thus more prone to injury) only makes it more difficult.
I would much rather see Anderson defend MW and continue to take interesting fights at LHW or even HW, where there are guys like Thiago Silva, Rampage, Rashad, Shogun, Mir, and eventually maybe Jon Jones. GSP stays at 170 until his body forces him to move up to middleweight; he takes a fight or two there and then challenges Anderson for the title in Anderson’s retirement fight (this is 2-3 years down the road). I feel this gives GSP a better chance and if he wins, it’s a passing of torch. If he loses, Anderson goes down as the undisputed P4P best.
Yes, I know this assumes they keep winning, but if they don’t then they’re not P4P best anyway ;)
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