Is GSP ready for Anderson Silva?

[Vitor Belfort]

GSP has pretty much dominated his competition in his weight class. He has taken on the best 170lbs had to offer. He dominated the last two # 1 challenger in fitch and alves and dominated 3 former welterweight champion in penn-hughes and serra. There's really no one else left at 170 lbs.

So is he ready to step up and fight another beast in anderson silva? Silva would be favor to win this fight but it would be nice to see how GSP can do at 185 lbs.

[québecwarrior]

He need to take the right time to put the weight, and try a good 185lbs to see how he handles the weight.

[Vitor Belfort]

He need to take the right time to put the weight, and try a good 185lbs to see how he handles the weight.

yea true..there's nothing else left at 170 lbs for now. I think he should challenge some 185 lbs fighter much like anderson silva did when he fought james irvin.

[québecwarrior]

yep. Give him Alan Belcher or Nate Quarry type of guys.

[Vitor Belfort]

yep. Give him Alan Belcher or Nate Quarry type of guys.


Nate quarry is a winnable fight for him just watch out for his punch cuz he has knockout power.

[radab]

Dude, he's probably as ready as he'll ever be


Imagine an epic unbeaten lightweight stepping up to face GSP

[Wilhelm]

Belcher and Quarry are both good strikers, but neither of them are as long and accurate as Silva. Swick would be a better warm up than those guys, and he'd only be half decent.

I just don't see GSP being able to deal with Silva on the feet.

[C Curran]

GSP would be giving up alot of size and reach would have to favour silva

[196osh]

I dont think he ever will be, but he could beat a lot of guys at 185, he is emense.

[Vanboxingfan]

I don't know how to answer this. I guess he's ready but I don't hink he'd win. He probably shouldn't start his quest for a 185 title at the top, he should take one or two fights below that level and see how it goes. So on that basis, even though I said yes on the poll, I'm revising my vote to no.

[JMonster]

i don't know. the heighth difference is going to be be real tough

[boxingcar]

srsly at this point..who cares if he's ready of not...he cleaned his division...He needs to go up now.

[québecwarrior]

GSP would be giving up alot of size and reach would have to favour silva
He would be giving up size, but not so much reach.
If im not mistaken, GSP is 76'' and Silva 77.5''

[Beebs]

They are each others best challenge; but too much pressure is being put on GSP. GSP is a welter, that is his job, to fight at welter, if he is to move up he needs time to become a MW, which will require a complete body transformation.

[Sweet Pea]

This fight is the same for me as always. I just can't see GSP avoiding the big blow on the feet for a full 5 rounds, as amazingly good as he is.

[Beebs]

This fight is the same for me as always. I just can't see GSP avoiding the big blow on the feet for a full 5 rounds, as amazingly good as he is.

Why would he need to?

Anderson Silva has good takedown defense; GSP has the best takedowns in the history of the sport and its not relatively close.

[québecwarrior]

Alves has power, and he caught GSP a couple of time and GSP didnt react bad at all to it. A.silva is more precise and maybe more powerfull, but his striking would be affected by the fear of being taking down by GSP.
Alves and BJ Penn were supposed to counter GSP's takedown with knees. Not one of them was able to even try one in 45 minutes of fight.

[Beebs]

Alves has power, and he caught GSP a couple of time and GSP didnt react bad at all to it. A.silva is more precise and maybe more powerfull, but his striking would be affected by the fear of being taking down by GSP.
Alves and BJ Penn were supposed to counter GSP's takedown with knees. Not one of them was able to even try one in 45 minutes of fight.

Yea countering GSP's takedowns (which are mostly from the waist up) with knees are like countering the titantic sinking with thimbles.

[rekcutnevets]

From the way GSP sounded in his post fight interview after facing Alves, he sounds as though adding some lean body weight is his main concern. Confidence is very important for a fighter, so I would suggest he do just that. Add a little weight, then get his feet wet at 185. Akiyama may be a good test. I believe that to be as good a low risk with a need to train intently fight as I can think of. If GSP defeats Akiyama, then plan according to the performance.

[Vitor Belfort]

I don't know how to answer this. I guess he's ready but I don't hink he'd win. He probably shouldn't start his quest for a 185 title at the top, he should take one or two fights below that level and see how it goes. So on that basis, even though I said yes on the poll, I'm revising my vote to no.

yea i do think he has the talent but i think the size difference would be too much for him.

[Vitor Belfort]

This fight is the same for me as always. I just can't see GSP avoiding the big blow on the feet for a full 5 rounds, as amazingly good as he is.
yea anderson silva is pretty good with his striking. If gsp takes this fight to the ground, silva is black belt in bjj so he can hang with him. Plus it's hard to keep anderson on the ground. Sooner or later this fight will be up on their feet where i think anderson would destroy gsp.

[elixirvtec]

it would be a greart move for GSP. Hell Penn moved up in weigh for better challenges. i think anderson would win. There is no better striker in the UFC today than anderson.

[ufoalf]

It's hard to tell. GSP has the best takedowns in the game but Silva is pretty big and might be able to keep GSP at bay far enough to stay away from takedowns.

IMO thats what it comes down to, if GSP can consistently get inside and take Silva down than he has a good chance to win a decision. If not he will be KOed at some point.

[chimba]

The problem here is not the standup, GSP will avoid that at all cost. Its Silvas guard, it is a painful punishing guard and GSP as strong as he is is not going to be able to control Silva who competes with the likes of Irvin and not look small. Everytime the ref stands this up and it will get stood up, its basically a KO in the waiting.

The size difference would be bigger than that of Penn/GSP.

If GSP fights at MW Id match him up with someone like a Maia whos basically Swicks size

[BewareofDawg]

He should fight Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson or Wandy first (Wandy is at 185 right?)

[coog]

It is possible. maybe a catch weight at 178? GSP maybe the better athlete His kick punch combinations were great then the takedowns awesome I think that he is the best pound for pound fighter out there