Dana White: Georges St-Pierre vs. Anderson Silva Could Happen in 2011

[Troy]

FORT HOOD, Texas – UFC president Dana White on Friday told a small group of troops at the Fort Hood military post in Killeen, Texas, that a long-discussed superfight could come to fruition this year.

Speaking at a question-and-answer session that was closed to the public and attended only by enlisted military personnel, White said a fight between welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and middleweight champion Anderson Silva might take place in 2011.

Both fighters' dominance in their respective divisions would lead to the matchup, though White cautioned that both need to win their upcoming title defenses.

"If (Silva) wins that fight (against Vitor Belfort at UFC 126), then Georges St-Pierre needs to beat Jake Shields in Toronto (at UFC 129)," White said. "If that happens, then we're probably going to do that fight (between St-Pierre and Silva). If they both win, that fight makes all the sense in the world."

White also said in that scenario, he believes St-Pierre would move up from welterweight – and possibly even make that his new home. White did not elaborate on what would happen with St-Pierre's 170-pound title if that scenario indeed played out.

"Georges St-Pierre said he would move to 185 (to fight Silva) and stay at that weight and not go back to 170," White said. "Should (they) win (their next) fights, that fight will probably happen this year."

I really do hope this fight happens. These two have been at the top of their divisions for so long now and this fight has been rumoured for so long to try to prove who is the better fighter. We got to see GSP vs Penn and now we just need to see GSP vs Silva.

Even if one of them loses their next fight then I still want this fight to happen, it will still be huge even if one of them has just lost a fight.

I didn't realise that GSP had said that he would move to 185 to fight Silva and then stay there. I assumed that he would fight Silva and then drop back down. I don't doubt that he could succeed at that level though because he is an elite athlete.

 

[Deezy]

Can't overlook Vitor or Shields since they both are very capable of playing spoiler to this. I don't think it will be like Wandy/Chuck where Chuck had to beat Keith Jardine to fight Wandy, but he lost, and he got the fight anyway. If they got MMA legalized in New York, I wouldn't doubt this will be the fight that would headline it.

I know alot of people are using Sonnens wrestling style as a blueprint for victory over Anderson, but the problem with using the Sonnen fight as an example is that Anderson was hurt going into the fight and rib injury is no joke. Can't really put you hips into your punch and it left him open to takedowns.

GSP is on another level though, I don't think Anderson would be able to defend GSP's takedowns and he never gets hit in his fights much. I don't think he has taken a powershot since Matt Serra shocked the world. So GSP's elusiveness would be key if they ever fought.

 

[Troy]

I think that Vitor is a better chance of causing an upset than Shields. Shields was disappointing in his UFC debut and he will need to be so much better if he is to even get close to defeating GSP. Belfort I rate very highly and think that he will be a tough challenge for Silva. It would be a great way to debut in New York if they can legalise MMA there.

True Silva went in injured and then Sonnen was also on performance enhancing drugs so it does take away some of Sonnens performance but it was still impressive.

I wouldn't have a clue as to who would win if GSP and Silva fought. Both are elite fighters and have so few weaknesses that can be expolited. It would be fascinating to watch them.

 

[Dod Draper]

Belfort is definitely Silva's toughest standup challenge to date; KO power in both hands and lightning fast boxing. He could very well KO Silva if Silva isn't prepared properly.

Shields will get tooled by GSP. Shields isn't going to be able to outwrestle him and grind out a decision, he's going to have to finish GSP or stuff the takedowns and outstrike him. Both scenarios are highly unlikely.

 

[Deezy]

Shields outwrestled Dan Henderson. What else does there need to be said? Shields is a wizard on the ground, so to say he doesn't pose a threat to GSP is a tad outrageous imo.

 

[Dod Draper]

Shields outwrestled Dan Henderson. What else does there need to be said? Shields is a wizard on the ground, so to say he doesn't pose a threat to GSP is a tad outrageous imo.

Perhaps. I still believe GSP has the advantage in that department. Can't see Shields outwrestling GSP in a 5 round matchup; he gassed against Kampmann and isn't immune from doing so again. I understand the return to 170 may have been hard, but it'll only be his second fight since dropping back down to 170 when he goes up against GSP, he may still struggle with it.