FREDDIE ROACH AND DANA WHITE DISCUSS A GSP VS SILVA SUPER FIGHT

FREDDIE ROACH/ PHOTO

IS THE SUPER FIGHT CLOSER TO HAPPENING?
On the horn:
Angelo Vila
SR WRITER
"George told me he's not comfortable going up in weight, he likes the weight he's fighting at right now,” Roach stated.
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       For the last four years, hypothetical match up discussions of the UFC, and maybe all of MMA, have centered on whether we would see a super fight between welterweight champion Georges “Rush” St. Pierre (22-2) and middleweight, arguably pound for pound king, Anderson “The Spider” Silva (32-4). I, like many, have always been skeptical on whether this fight would happen, should happen, or even could happen. There are two questions that must be answered in order for a fight to make money. Why are these two men fighting, and why should I pay to watch? The answers are simple, these two men are considered the greatest MMA fighters of all time AND you will find out who the best fighter is in the world.

GEORGE ST. PIERRE.

       However, there are some serious obstacles that have put this super fight on the back burner for the past three years. The emergence of Chael Sonnen as a legitimate title contender in 2010 brought new life to the middleweight division, while the Nick Diaz vs Carlos Condit saga has taken Pierre's attention away from a Silva bout. "The Spider" has always been one of the larger middleweights in UFC history. The middleweight division has a high turnover rate of fighters leaving to either move down to welterweight or go back to light heavyweight. UFC President Dana White recently stated that the fight would most likely be contested at a 180 lbs catchweight.
“At one point it sounded like Anderson wanted to drop to 170 and take Georges' belt,” White said.
       Not only has Anderson remained a middleweight mainstay, he has also moved up to 205 lbs and defeated former champ Forrest Griffin and James Irvin, both by first round knock out. While Silva's saga with Sonnen has concluded, there appears to be several opponents that can occupy Silva's time like Brian Stann, Michael Bisping, Alan Belcher, and Chris Weidman. St-Pierre, on the other hand, has been reluctant to leave the 170 lbs division. This is most likely because challengers have been plenty and story lines to back up those  still exist. The fight with Condit is still on the horizon and Nick Diaz (although currently retired) may still be lurking. And let's not forget about Martin Kampmann and Johny Hendricks. The talk of the super fight is mostly about weight. World renowned boxing trainer Freddie Roach also chimed in with his thoughts on a Silva versus St. Pierre super fight and the weight difference.
“He's just too big . . . The size difference . . . George told me he's not comfortable going up in weight, he likes the weight he's fighting at right now,” Roach stated at the end of the interview. “I don't think that fight's going to happen because I think (Silva) is too big for (GSP).”
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       If it does happen, it could be the biggest event in UFC history with years of hype to back it up. But unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will happen. St. Pierre and Silva (along with Matt Hughes) are the longest reigning champions in UFC history. St. Pierre's game is speed, and moving up in weight could compromise that speed. While Silva relies on pinpoint striking and frightening power. St. Pierre dominates opponents with superior take downs and ground and pound, while Silva has delivered some of the most spectacular knockouts in championship fight history. Therefore, it appears one of these fighters will be thoroughly dominated in that potential contest. A loss wouldn't do either fighter well for the future drawing power of that champion, especially if the fight is going to be contested at a catchweight without a championship on the line. As a promoter, a super fight essentially sacrifices one of your champions for the sake of a payday. I do not think that a payday it worth risking the drawing power of one of the big named champions. However, it could propel the winner of the fight to even bigger heights. White has been seemingly much more interested in this fight lately. With the UFC's President pushing this fight, we may finally get the answer to the most intriguing question in UFC history.

ANDERSON SILVA

“If that fight happens, it will most likely happen at Dallas, Texas [Cowboys] Stadium,” White also alluded to the possible venue of the super fight.
       Dallas, be ready, you may be the lucky city that gets to host history.

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Angelo V.

EDITOR: J. WAUGH