GSP vs Silva - A size difference or a skill difference?

[FrodoFraggins]

It's both.

 

[markg171]

Size. And that picture isn't nearly accurate. It'll look worse than Condit/GSP squaring off at weigh-ins.

You do realize Condit's size didn't help him right? Condit's actually a decent fighter to try and see how a fight with Silva would go - they're both the same size and style, both dangerous finishers, Silva's got better striking but Condit's got a better bottom game

And for the people saying skill is the problem, Silva's only better at striking. Yes he's much better at it than GSP, but GSP is much better at grappling than Silva. Really it's just a classic grappler vs striker fight

 

[chamchamtrigger]

Size difference is just too great. Here are real comparisons:

 

[Bargey]

GSP has superior skills than Penn. Youmad?

1. No
2. Not really.

 

[magigong]

Do people saying skills really think that Silva would beat GSP at 170?

Not sure of that.

Do you think gsp can beat silva at 185? I bet you don't even think gsp can beat silva at 177

 

[Riffmeister11]

The level of stupidity on Sherdog has grown ten folds. Wow.

To all those people saying that there's a major difference in skill, you are dreaming. Anderson is a better striker. I don't think there's anyone in Mixed Martial Arts who has better striking than Anderson, but that's it. That's not much of a difference given that St. Pierre can neutralize that with his better grappling. Should Anderson be favored in this match? Of course.

Is there any chance of Anderson knocking GSP out early? Yes, as much chance as any fighter Anderson have fought/will fight. But the fact that St. Pierre has an immense grappling advantage and is a great fighter in his own right makes this fight fairly interesting. Classic, grappler-striker match, the best of both worlds IMO.

 

[jk1234]

Both

 

[Raff01**]

There is a big size difference, and also a skill difference.
Skill difference or rather a different asset of skills.
silva has amazing elusiveness, reflexes and striking.
GSP has amazing wrestling and transitions.
Biggest issue is the punching power and chin.
GSP simply isn't a puncher at all and is smaller. If GSP had the same size or the same punching power, I'd say this fight is impossible to call.
But given the facts, it would take GSP the whole 5 rounds with relentless takedowns and ground work to outpoint Silva while it would only take Silva 1 good punch or knee to win this fight.

 

[theycallitMurda]

Skill difference. Anderson is the better fighter no doubt about it.

GSP has wrestling which is Andersons weakness but every fight starts on the feet and in a 5 round fight, he's getting caught and knocked the fuck out. Andersons skill set is leaps and bounds above GSP's, which GSP only relies on his wrestling now a days to go the distance.

 

[JoseAldoKillaBe]

Skill difference is bigger than the size difference.
If Rich Franklin was still the MW champion, nobody would talk about size difference and everyone would give GSP a big chance of winning a fight against him.

 

[kalleanka]

Size difference! A GSP the same size as Anderson would be a stylistically a horrible matchup for Anderson. I think that in a catchweight bout at 177.5, GSP would have a good chance at beating him even though I still would consider Silva the favorite in such a fight.

 

[magigong]

Size difference! A GSP the same size as Anderson would be a stylistically a horrible matchup for Anderson. I think that in a catchweight bout at 177.5, GSP would have a good chance at beating him even though I still would consider Silva the favorite in such a fight.

I have to agree. Even though I feel silva would win. Gsp is not a favorable matchup for silva, disciplined fighter with great takedowns and good sub defense. Silva doesn't use size and strength to beat his opponents, so the 10 lbs wouldn't make much difference.

 

[KneetoLiver]

It would be size difference. GSP at generally the same weight, height I would favor over Anderson.

 

[dissolved]

The level of stupidity on Sherdog has grown ten folds. Wow.

To all those people saying that there's a major difference in skill, you are dreaming. Anderson is a better striker. I don't think there's anyone in Mixed Martial Arts who has better striking than Anderson, but that's it. That's not much of a difference given that St. Pierre can neutralize that with his better grappling. Should Anderson be favored in this match? Of course.

Is there any chance of Anderson knocking GSP out early? Yes, as much chance as any fighter Anderson have fought/will fight. But the fact that St. Pierre has an immense grappling advantage and is a great fighter in his own right makes this fight fairly interesting. Classic, grappler-striker match, the best of both worlds IMO.

This.

Add to that, that though Anderson is the best striker in the sport, GSP is a very good striker with some of the best striking defense in the sport. That alone separates him from %90 of the fighters Silva has faced. Add in George's superior grappling and it's a lot closer than people give credit.