Why GSP vs Anderson Silva makes sense (Breakdown of the current MW division)

[Cooliox]

Sure, this is only going to be half the anticipation that it was years ago... but I think there is still enough relevancy for this fight to work.

GSP is the reigning MW champion who vacated due to injury... Robert Whittaker, the current champ, has not been in an actual MW championship match yet. He won an interim match, then fought in a non-title match - though this was not his fault that his opponent missed weight.

And now, with Whittaker out till next year, and with Anderson Silva being cleared to return before end of the year... I think this is an opportune moment to make GSP VS Anderson Silva for the Interim MW Championship.

This can actually happen now because there are no clear MW contenders in the division.

GSP has a legitimate claim, and Anderson Silva is the division's GOAT, and is coming off a win against highly ranked Brunson (who is still ranked #6 today).

The only person who is going to really get blackballed in all this, is Chris Weidman, but the Chris himself is 1-3 in his last 4, so there's no concrete claim there for a title shot (also why the UFC went with Kelvin).

Current Top MW Rankings:
1. Romero (Missed weight twice in a row)
2. Rockhold (coming off a loss, and has hinted at moving up now that teammate DC is at HW)
3. Chris Weidman (1-3 in his last 4 fights, though he has a good claim as mentioned above)
4. Kelvin Gastelum (booked to be on TUF with Whittaker)
5. Jacare Souza (Coming off a loss)
6. Derek Brunson (lost to Anderson Silva)

I think based on current circumstances, it might just be an opportune time for GSP vs Anderson Silva.

 

[Dozer .]

GSP would rather risk his life cutting to LW than to fight a MW again.

 

[Yari]

true

 

[Rod Farva]

I would watch.

You’re right, not even close to the same hype it was 5-8 years ago.

I think GSP wins. Years ago, I said GSP wins at 170 but Anderson wins at 185. Now, I think GSP wins no matter what weight they fight in.

 

[Sansnom]

GSP via whatever he wants

 

[Calipwnia]

The most talked about / ducked fight in UFC history.

GSP fights nobody that has 2 working eyes at MW

 

[20falarVerdades]

The most talked about / ducked fight in UFC history.

GSP fights nobody that has 2 working eyes at MW

Huge fan of GSP but it is true that he cherry picked Bisping

 

[BisexualMMA]

The most talked about / ducked fight in UFC history.

GSP fights nobody that has 2 working eyes at MW

Silva's dick doesn't work. Maybe GSP will consider fighting him.

 

[Cooliox]

GSP would rather risk his life cutting to LW than to fight a MW again.

<{gspressed}>

 

[Dozer .]

<{gspressed}>

 

[Cooliox]

Huge fan of GSP but it is true that he cherry picked Bisping

He cherry picked a fight against a former successful LHW fighter?

How does that make any sense. This guy, Bisping, went to a split with a prime Rashad Evans

He KOd Rockhold on 2 weeks notice to become MW Champion, defeated MW GOAT Anderson Silva, and defeated first 2-division champion Hendo... consecutively, en route to being the Fighter of The Year.

How is fighting him a cherry-picked fight? The champ today got git-handed the MW belt and still can't stay healthy... the top contender can't make weight.

Hendo probably didn't deserve the shot at his age, but at least Bisping defended it... and it was a close fight - dude took a LOT of punishment. He took a lot of punishment from the Anderson Silva fight as well. Bisping is tough as balls, took a lot of punishment against GSP too, especially in Ground and Pound after the knockdown... and still refused to quit, and had to get choked unconscious to get beaten.

It sucks that Michael Bisping doesn't get more respect around here. He proved loud and clear that if the USADA era came 10 years earlier, this man could have been one of the GOATs

 

[Chad W]

I would say yes but GSP seems entirely uninterested in ever fighting at 185 again in interviews due to his issues with ulcerative colitis. maybe Spider is the opportunity that would motivate him to make a return to the division but I doubt it.

I would say the best use of anderson would be either to put over some of the young talent at 185 or to bring a "jolt" to the extremely shallow LHW division. I think the no doubt matchup if GSP wants no part at MW is to put together Anderson Silva vs Israel Adesanya. could be one of the most anticipated fights of the year

 

[Hypetrainofthemonth]

Huge fan of GSP but it is true that he cherry picked Bisping

I see what you did lol.

 

[Hypetrainofthemonth]

He cherry picked a fight against a former successful LHW fighter?

How does that make any sense. This guy, Bisping, went to a split with a prime Rashad Evans

He KOd Rockhold on 2 weeks notice to become MW Champion, defeated MW GOAT Anderson Silva, and defeated first 2-division champion Hendo... consecutively, en route to being the Fighter of The Year.

How is fighting him a cherry-picked fight? The champ today got git-handed the MW belt and still can't stay healthy... the top contender can't make weight.

Hendo probably didn't deserve the shot at his age, but at least Bisping defended it... and it was a close fight - dude took a LOT of punishment. He took a lot of punishment from the Anderson Silva fight as well. Bisping is tough as balls, took a lot of punishment against GSP too, especially in Ground and Pound after the knockdown... and still refused to quit, and had to get choked unconscious to get beaten.

It sucks that Michael Bisping doesn't get more respect around here. He proved loud and clear that if the USADA era came 10 years earlier, this man could have been one of the GOATs

You should see their predictions for the fight. And then see how it quickly became a cherry pick when they chose wrong.

 

[20falarVerdades]

He cherry picked a fight against a former successful LHW fighter?

How does that make any sense. This guy, Bisping, went to a split with a prime Rashad Evans

He KOd Rockhold on 2 weeks notice to become MW Champion, defeated MW GOAT Anderson Silva, and defeated first 2-division champion Hendo... consecutively, en route to being the Fighter of The Year.

How is fighting him a cherry-picked fight? The champ today got git-handed the MW belt and still can't stay healthy... the top contender can't make weight.

Hendo probably didn't deserve the shot at his age, but at least Bisping defended it... and it was a close fight - dude took a LOT of punishment. He took a lot of punishment from the Anderson Silva fight as well. Bisping is tough as balls, took a lot of punishment against GSP too, especially in Ground and Pound after the knockdown... and still refused to quit, and had to get choked unconscious to get beaten.

It sucks that Michael Bisping doesn't get more respect around here. He proved loud and clear that if the USADA era came 10 years earlier, this man could have been one of the GOATs

Because Bisping would have been be the underdog against the whole top 5 MW.

Whittaker
Yoel
Jacare
Mousasi at the time
Gastelum
And even Weidman

He had a great career but no one can deny that he was the weakest MW champ. All of the above names would have been a much tougher fight for the Canadian

 

[Flokk]

Woodley v GSP makes even more sense. But we'll never see either of these fights. Too much risk for GSP, and that's assuming he isn't sweating USADA.

Tapping to strikes from Serra and getting roughed up by 70% Hendricks changed GSP. Greg Jackson helped too. It's a pity but it happens, just look at Ngannou.

Makes you respect warriors even more so there's that silver lining.

 

[SoSoSmart]

Sure, this is only going to be half the anticipation that it was years ago... but I think there is still enough relevancy for this fight to work.

GSP is the reigning MW champion who vacated due to injury... Robert Whittaker, the current champ, has not been in an actual MW championship match yet. He won an interim match, then fought in a non-title match - though this was not his fault that his opponent missed weight.

And now, with Whittaker out till next year, and with Anderson Silva being cleared to return before end of the year... I think this is an opportune moment to make GSP VS Anderson Silva for the Interim MW Championship.

This can actually happen now because there are no clear MW contenders in the division.

GSP has a legitimate claim, and Anderson Silva is the division's GOAT, and is coming off a win against highly ranked Brunson (who is still ranked #6 today).

The only person who is going to really get blackballed in all this, is Chris Weidman, but the Chris himself is 1-3 in his last 4, so there's no concrete claim there for a title shot (also why the UFC went with Kelvin).

Current Top MW Rankings:
1. Romero (Missed weight twice in a row)
2. Rockhold (coming off a loss, and has hinted at moving up now that teammate DC is at HW)
3. Chris Weidman (1-3 in his last 4 fights, though he has a good claim as mentioned above)
4. Kelvin Gastelum (booked to be on TUF with Whittaker)
5. Jacare Souza (Coming off a loss)
6. Derek Brunson (lost to Anderson Silva)

I think based on current circumstances, it might just be an opportune time for GSP vs Anderson Silva.

Reigning MW champion who vacated due to injury?
<puh-lease75>

 

[SoSoSmart]

GSP via whatever he wants

He'd def out strike Anderson. Completely agree.

 

[Cooliox]

Reigning MW champion who vacated due to injury?
<puh-lease75>

Reigning MW champion who then vacated due to injury

Goddamnit Grammar Nazi, you caught me here. I'm offf to concentrate on grammar at camp

 

[SoSoSmart]

Reigning MW champion who then vacated due to injury

Goddamnit Grammar Nazi, you caught me here. I'm offf to concentrate on grammar at camp

Naw man, I was thinking more along the lines that the MW Championship was more of a novelty prize. I do agree that if they get matched up today GSP takes it. But matrix Silva (imo) buries GSP in both their primes. Dude wtf... "offf" Im full Nazi now bro. You cant just be doing that shit.