In The Clinch: Anderson Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre? Thanks, But No Thanks.

Back in August, after UFC 117, UFC President Dana White was asked about a potential match-up between the UFC’s Welterweight Champion, Georges St. Pierre, and it’s Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva, who had just defended his title for a UFC record 7 times. White responded to the question like he always does, “They’ve got a couple of guys they’ve got to beat before we make that fight, but I’m not opposed to making it.”

He’s not opposed to it, the fans have wanted it, and now UFC co-owner and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta wants to see it.

“I want to see that fight,” Fertitta said. “That’s probably the one fight I really want to see the most.”

“‘GSP’ has to get past Koscheck; Anderson Silva has to get past Vitor Belfort. If that happens, there’s a really good likelihood that we could see that fight – probably some time next summer…If these guys keep winning their fights, I think it will definitely happen.

[pullquote]Bottom line, as great as Georges St. Pierre is, Anderson Silva is greater. [/pullquote]One of the things we wanted to do was allow both of these guys to continue to get through their divisions – meaning there were a lot of contenders that deserved title shots. Because they’re in different weightclasses, we wanted to let that all play out before we put those two guys together. But I mean we’re getting to a point where they’ve pretty much cleaned out the division. Maybe it’s time to watch them and see what happens.”

While all true, I sincerely hope they do not allow this fight to happen.

Why, you ask? Why would anyone not want to see one of, if not the biggest Superfight in MMA history? Because it’s a Superfight in name only.

Anderson Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre wouldn’t be what we all want it to be. The gladiators would not get in the cage and have a back and forth battle, where one narrowly escapes defeat by pulling off a come from behind Hail Mary shot to have his hand raised in victory. Silva would dominate from the opening bell to the end of the first or beginning of the second round where he’d end it violently.

Silva is the larger fighter and has a greater reach advantage. Silva, 6’2″, reportedly walks around at about 220lbs, while St. Pierre, 5’10″, walks around at about 190lbs. This isn’t boxing, where champions are three pounds apart. These guys, at the time of weigh-ins, are 15 pounds apart in their respective divisions. Anyone who thinks this fight would be close, or that GSP would win, need to look at the facts.

I already know what you are going to say, “Anderson Silva’s weakness is wrestling and GSP is MMA’s best wrestler.” No he’s not. GSP is a great MMA wrestler, but he’s not the best. He incorporates aspects of wrestling into his game. But he’s not a wrestler. Big difference. GSP wouldn’t be able to take Silva down. And if by some chance he did, he wouldn’t be able to keep him there.

“But Travis Lutter, Dan Henderson, and Chael Sonnen all took Silva down, so GSP could.” Yeah, and how did all those fights end? Lutter, tapped out due to a Triangle Choke and elbows. Henderson, tapped out due to a Rear Naked Choke. And last but not least, Sonnen tapped to a Triangle Armbar and then tested positive for steroids. And another thing, those fighters are much larger and stronger than St. Pierre. GSP won’t have that luxury if and when he fights Silva. History has shown us that wrestlers really don’t have Anderson Silva’s number. Quite the opposite.

And in the striking department, are we even having a discussion? Silva is light-years more advanced, 15 victories coming by way of knockout. Watching him operate is like watching a Symphony of Destruction. He finds the smallest holes in his opponents’ defense and exploits them. The man destroyed a former Light Heavyweight Champion in Forrest Griffin when Griffin thought it was a good idea to stand with “The Spider.” Fighting Silva here would be suicide.

GSP is outmatched in every aspect. Believe me when I say there’s nothing “super” about this fight, and we will all be let down.

Bottom line, as great as Georges St. Pierre is, Anderson Silva is greater. This “Champion vs. Champion” dream match-up wouldn’t be close, and I’m tired of hearing about it. The hype for this Superfight will be greater than St. Pierre’s chances of winning.