("We have ways to make the infidels…er…fighters agree to our demands.")
It looks like a GSP vs. Anderson Silva match-up might be closer than anticipated.
Dana White brushed off the potential blockbuster bout this summer as being something that likely won’t happen for a while, but according to his partner, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, the fight may happen as early as next summer if both fighters continue to dominate in their respective divisions.
"I want to see that fight," Fertitta said during a Q&A session in London ahead of UFC 120. "That’s probably the one fight I really want to see the most."
For that to happen, Silva will have to get by former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in February and St-Pierre faces fellow TUF 12 coach and MMA superheel Josh Koscheck in December. White has also held steadfast to his assertion that Jake Shields will face the winner of that bout, so it may still be a while off if he gets his way.
According to Fertitta, though, as a fan, he’s more keen on making the superfight than another one-sided main event title match-up.
"’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," Fertitta explained. "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."
Lorenzo seems like a rational guy. Maybe we need to have a sit down with him to discuss our up-in-the-air credential situation.
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commentsI think the UFC was hesitant to have one of their champions lose, but at some point the best have to fight the best if they can reasonably makethe same weight. I hope after last weekend their isn't much call to have GSP fight Fitch. GSP will need some extra time to gain some weight, so 8 or 9 months will help him. Ideally they would do this at a catch-weight, but GSP has said that if he moves up, he wants to move up for good.
They should just have GSP vacate the title now and start gaining some weight. Then force Kos and Fitch to fight for the vacant title.
Also, at whoever brought up Sotiropolous having to take a step back with J-Lau, I am convinced they gave G-Sot a fight he would very likely win because they want to have him fight the winner of Edgar/Maynard in Australia next spring. That is a way they can easily sell out a fight headlined by Edgar or Maynard.
It means nothing if the two best p4p fighters in the world don't show up in the best condition possible for the fight.
Does anyone see GSP winning this fight? I doubt either of them will take but both will fuel the rumours to keep the marketing going
Whoever loses this fight is going to lose credibility in their division. Not only credibility, but also overall value to the organization (ticket sales etc.) Not as much for Pierre, but definitely Silva... he won't be able to take out guys in the future without everyone talking Pierre, the welter who came up in weight and beat his ass. Silvas already talked about his age, and contract, and doesnt have many fights left. He's established himself in every fans P4P, has proven to show skills that have never been seen, being the most dominant middleweight fighter on the planet. Is it worth it for him to risk getting beat by a welterweight before he retires? Would you?
I guess it's a question about what fans want, versus what the fighters want. I'm a huge fan, and would be the first one at the bar with 15 people and 10 pitchers... dont get me wrong.
I guess the question is, how much of this is the fighters decision? Can Fertitta tell Silva it's going down regardless? Why is it that Dana can grant Lesnar time off so he can go hunting etc? Couldn't he say fuck it, your fighting JDS in three months? Feel free to discuss
it's because Soto and Fitch fight in the two deepest divisions in the UFC and Vitor fights in the shallowest (other than HW).
Really lost all interest in this fight after Steroids Sonnen exposed how bad Silva's takedown defense and defense from the bottom really are. But I suppose it will be more competitive than watching GSP use Shields' head as a focus mitt.
He blows his load early as a premature ejaculator and wants to share his excitement with the world
I like both fighters equally but my allegiance will always go to my fellow countrymen.
I also believe that GSP will win this handily a la Sonnen Takedown, difference is GSP will finish it.
I prefer to watch both guys in their respective weight divisions.
and the FIRST comment is effing annoying.
must be deprived when he was a kid.
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