Why GSP vs. Silva Should be Booked
A Super fight looks to be on the horizon. Some may argue that Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar could be considered one of these types of fights, but Anderson Silva vs. Georges St.Pierre is the real deal. Two long-term champions with few things left to accomplish in their own weight divisions.
Some fans are hoping that each fighter stays put in their weight class and continues to defend their title against the next lineup of #1 contenders. Yet, GSP is 9-0 since 2007, while Silva is an astounding 17-0 since 2006. That is a combined 26 fights against top contenders like Jon Fitch, Vitor Belfort, B.J. Penn. Chael Sonnen, Josh Koscheck, and Dan Henderson. It seems perfectly clear to me that GSP and Silva are in desperate need of a new challenge. Obviously, GSP is returning from a huge knee operation and he is likely not jumping at the opportunity to fight the best pound-4-pound fighter in the sport right away, but judging by GSP’s drive and motivation to be the best, he has to at least be interested in the opportunity to call himself the best mixed martial artist in the world.
Personally, I think GSP has his hands full with up and coming contenders of the welterweight division. There is new blood at the top of the division, including a possible huge PPV fight with Nick Diaz. Silva is not as lucky though. Chris Weidman is not a big draw at this point. Bisping could bring in some numbers, but he stands little chance of actually beating Silva. Anderson is thus left with few options besides going up a weight class or potentially calling GSP out at UFC 154.
It seems as if the stars have aligned for GSP and Silva to meet. Yet, the same may be said in a few months if Silva were to challenge Jon Jones. The ball is in GSP’s court right now. Does he risk moving up in weight to face arguably the best fighter on the planet. GSP employs a wrestling-heavy style ever since being knocked out by Matt Serra. How will he feel moving up in weight where his wrestling might not be as dominant to face the best striker in MMA?
GSP, first has to get past Condit this weekend, and then he has one of the biggest decisions of his career to make. Is he willing to risk his legacy by appeasing UFC fans and UFC officials? I think it is too much to risk. Silva and GSP could instead defend their titles once more and hopefully dissolve the logjams currently occupying the welterweight and middleweight divisions, but what would that really prove at this point.
Hopefully, the UFC plans ahead and creates interim titles for each division and make the interim champions actually defend their belts rather than waiting on the sidelines (Condit, Barao). The stagnation and lack of title fights on PPVs is just not good business. Some may argue what’s the point of having champions then if they have to vacate their titles to compete outside of their division? The same counter argument could be made though, is what good is a title if the champion is not there to defend it. Anderson Silva is basically turning his back on his MW title and every challenger in the division. Every top contender fight in the MW division, regardless of the outcome is basically meaningless until Silva or the UFC steps up and creates a long term plan as to how they dictate title shots and title defenses.
So, I say book the Super fight if GSP is willing to roll the dice, but don’t leave their weight divisions and top contenders sitting around scratching their heads. Create a Grand Prix tournament or crown an interim title and make them defend it. Something needs to change because as of now the UFC’s numbers are plummeting and it is due to them not creating new PPV stars. Without championship fights and #1 contenders fights, fans are starting to view each fight card as a blur rather than it meaning something.
