Mixed Martial Arts Forum banner

ESPN MMA Live - Rashad and Kenny's opinion of GSP-Silva

5K views 65 replies 35 participants last post by  HitOrGetHit 
#1 ·
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5926903

Rashad Evans says, after training with GSP, he thinks all GSP has to do is show up in shape and he would beat Anderson Silva.

Kenny Florian agrees and says he could beat Anderson today.

Rashad says that fighting at your natural weight and not cutting weight can be an advantage against someone who does.

Are these guys delusional? Or are their opinions more relevant than armchair MMA fans?
 
#5 ·
I still think it would be a huge fight that I'd get up for, just because of the two involved. But I'm in total agreeance as far as the stylistic matchup, Shogun/Machida/Rampage fighting AS is much more intriguing to me.
 
#3 ·
As training partners of GSP, Rashad in particular, they are biased but I wouldn't say delusional. In fact I agree with them. If GSP can put anyone, div 1 wrestlers included, at welterweight on their back then he sure as hell can put Anderson on his back. GSP's grappling is good enough to avoid a sub and he has solid top control. Anderson is not a brute wrestler type who can stuff takedowns and get up when he's down - like a Koscheck.

My money would be on GSP - the more versatile fighter with the erfect game to beat Anderson.

We all saw that clip of GSP and Rashad in practice on one of the previous countdown shows, and GSP was holding his own with the wrestling - that's how freakishly good he is. He can and would put Anderson down over and over again. The only time he's faced a wrestler with a shot like GSP is Sonnen and look what happened there.

GSP all the way, he is the best fighter of all time.
 
#9 ·
We all saw that clip of GSP and Rashad in practice on one of the previous countdown shows, and GSP was holding his own with the wrestling - that's how freakishly good he is. He can and would put Anderson down over and over again. The only time he's faced a wrestler with a shot like GSP is Sonnen and look what happened there.

GSP all the way, he is the best fighter of all time.
Remember though, Silva had injured ribs, which makes it hard to stuff takedowns. I don't doubt GSP could take Silva down and keep him there, but I hate how people keep referencing the Sonnen fight as an example of Silva's takedown defence, despite the fact that Silva's bad ribs during the fight has been well publicized.
 
#16 ·
No he really wouldn't(apart from being a champ at MW) there is nothing that GSP has done to suggest he could beat LHW's and HW'S.
He has!

He destroyed a BJ Penn who fought one of the best LHW's in the world to a close decision loss.

The way he tools 210lbs WW's like Fitch or Alves doesn't make you think he could do the same too guys who are even less skilled?

Take a look at the matchups only..

He would GnP Forrest and Franklin to a UD.. he would outstrike Bones Jones, because Bones Jones is not a very good striker, even through it looks like it.

He would outstrike Rashad Evans and keep it standing of course with his incredible Wrestling.

LiL Nog is no match either.

He would lose against Shogun (probably), Machida (definitely) cause very bad matchup for him stylistically..maybe even the worst ;)

And he would outsrike Rampage Jackson!

It's easy actually ;) just open your mind a little guy^^
 
#18 · (Edited)
They are both his training partners MMA Live is so bad except for Pat.

It is a benefit to not have to cut a lot but Silva is a weight cutting master and clearly has great cardio. GSP would still have to cut like 10 pounds also. He wasn't even tired at the end of the Sonnen fight what is GSP going to do that will wear him out more than that fight with busted ribs.

My favorite Kenny prediction is that his BJJ was going to be better than Penn's. He lasted about 10 seconds on the ground with him before getting subbed.

He has!

He destroyed a BJ Penn who fought one of the best LHW's in the world to a close decision loss.

The way he tools 210lbs WW's like Fitch or Alves doesn't make you think he could do the same too guys who are even less skilled?

Take a look at the matchups only..

He would GnP Forrest and Franklin to a UD.. he would outstrike Bones Jones, because Bones Jones is not a very good striker, even through it looks like it.

He would outstrike Rashad Evans and keep it standing of course with his incredible Wrestling.

LiL Nog is no match either.

He would lose against Shogun (probably), Machida (definitely) cause very bad matchup for him stylistically..maybe even the worst ;)

And he would outsrike Rampage Jackson!

It's easy actually ;) just open your mind a little guy^^
Matt Serra dropped him if Rampage touched him once with a punch his head would implode and GSP isn't taking Rampage down. The best at LHW are way too strong for him they would all tool him. Bones would have like 3 feet of reach on him it wouldn't matter how much better GSP is at striking he wouldn't be able to get inside without getting ragdolled to the ground and easily finished.
 
#17 · (Edited)
lol that was so arrogant, biased and unprofessional, please no1 can determine who would win between the #1 and #2 P4P fighters in the world right now

this illusion of a great wrestler with sub defense can beat AS is simply that...an illusion, i dont know how many times i have to point out that sonnen tried to escape the triangle the correct way, if GSP got caught in that tirangle he would have done the same escape and would have still probably tapped

ppl are forgetting the huge difference in size and when two elite of the elite fighters are facing each other...yes...size matters, it will be very hard for GSP to keep AS down simply because AS has such a long body, not only that but GSP will also have a very tough time passing guard, AS can EASILY trap him in a body triangle and keep him there the whole round, GSP is too small for MW...he has the perfect build for WW, this fight is unfair to him

if GSP was a natural MW he would have a huge chance of winning and probably would win...though AS always has that KO chance

but still...GSP is a WW...and he would have a very tough time keeping some1 of AS size down and passing guard not to mention on the stand up

this isnt about power...hell GSP might even be stronger than AS at 185, the problem is simply the actual body size, the way AS is built is a nightmare for a short powerfull wrestler, sonnen was able to do what he did because he was not only one of the best wrestlers in MMA but he was also HUGE

these are 2 fighters who always know how to win, its like a different skill that they possess...no matter what kind of difficulty they encounter they find a way to win

to simply say with such confidence who would win is not only arrogant but stupid, if you take your personal opinions aside this fight is impossible to call

im a AS nuthugger but i think GSP could beat IF he actually can pass ASs guard and keep him down despite his size (something i really doubt) also for him to get close to set up a TD will be a very tough task with the difference in reach, add to the fact that GSP has never faced a fighter that moves the way AS does

there are so many questions in this fight that you simply cant make such a bold prediction

kenny, rashad, get off of GSPs nuts and actually analyse the fight:thumbsup:

who do i think will win? i have no clue...all i know is GSP is in a disadvantage and if he pulls it off he is the greates fighter that has ever lived:thumb02:

PS: Rashad isnt really known for the best picks in fights:thumbsup:

PSS: they didnt even do a proper breakdown, they probably went with the mentality ''sonnen almost won, GSP is sonnen + sub defense...omg GSP wins! we dont even need to see this fight''...their opinions count just as much as any other forum member here if thats how they are going to judge the fight...actually has even less value than a non biased view
 
#23 ·
I don't think GSP could take a healthy Silva. It's a shame though because by the time GSP and Silva fight(if they even do) Silva will be past his prime. Thing about GSP is he still getting better, whereas Silva is remaining constant. I think when GSP hits his prime he will be better than Silva at his prime, but right now if they fought I got Silva winning it.
 
#24 ·
Like some others have said, I don't think GSP would be able to keep LHW's and HW's down. Maybe he could take SOME down, but no way he'd be able to KEEP them down. I'm a big fan of GSP too. If he ever did fight Silva, I'd definitely be rooting for my fellow Canadian. However, I think Silva is just too big for him. He would almost certainly be able to take Silva down, but Silva's long limbs would pose a problem. That being said, I do think GSP has a good chance against most Middleweights. Only ones I could see giving him trouble are Sonnen, Okami, and maybe Marquardt.
 
#29 · (Edited)
You said GSP had trouble taking down Koscheck, and used that as an example of how he'd have trouble taking down Silva.
NO I DIDN'T YOU STUPID idiot i was talking about GSP going up against LHW's and HW's

GSP pulled his ground and still got every takedown except for one. You said Alves stuffed multiple take-downs, he didn't, and we saw against Howard and Koscheck that Alves is a good wrestler.
DERP i said he stuffed a couple DERRRRRRR

GSP started off as a Karate fighter which is why Koscheck was admittedly surprised in the first fight, it was one of the first time GSP used his wrestling the majority of the fight. If you think Kos is afraid of GSP's wrestling and it affect his wrestling how much would GSP's wrestling affect Silva's? A lot, we saw that against Chael when Chael outstruck Silva every exchange but two.
watch his early fights he primarily uses his wrestling to win and i know GSP used to strike a lot thats why he was one of my favourite fighters until serra took his balls.

You can troll as hard as you want but a lot of us here actually know what we're talking about.
[/QUOTE]


sorry dude but i always know what i am talking about. too bad thats not the case with you.
 
#47 ·
NO I DIDN'T YOU STUPID idiot i was talking about GSP going up against LHW's and HW's



DERP i said he stuffed a couple DERRRRRRR



watch his early fights he primarily uses his wrestling to win and i know GSP used to strike a lot thats why he was one of my favourite fighters until serra took his balls.

[/B]

I agree with some of your posts but you need to slow down on the name calling or you will get yourself banned.

I think styles make fights and there are some LHW fighters GSP could beat but I dont think he gets any easy wins at LHW.

His striking is tight and crisp but he wont be able to grind out fighters the same way he dose at WW and he could get KO'd because every round you dont put a fighter away you give them the opportunity to put you away and there are a lot of guys who might not be KO artists at LHW but have the power to drop you.

His wrestling wont be as effective IMO wile he beats fighters like Sonnen most fighters will be able to stand with GSP.
 
#35 ·
GSP is absolutely abscessed with his legacy. This is a monkey on his back, it's like Pacman versus Mayweather.

You don't hear people talking about the size difference between Pacman and Mayweather, and he knows it will be no excuse. It's a fight he can't dodge right now and he knows it.

There's too much hype right now. GSP knows that losing this fight would be worse than avoiding it.
 
#38 ·
Repped! You know it's uncanny. As I've always said I dislike Rashad as a fighter, but he's not bad as a commentator, reporter, or news caster.

Agree with most topics except for the GSP and Anderson outcome. I just don't see it. Anderson wins by KO.
 
#45 ·
People exaggerate the weight too much. When it comes to taking guys down, it comes to skill, really. And that's what GSP would do to Silva, take him down over and over. Its like saying Cain cant take Brock down because he's too big. GSP could beat most guys at MW. Just look at Jake Shields, hes not a big MW and still beat alot of guys there. I would put all my money on GSP anyday.
 
#48 ·
there is a big difference between taking some1 down and holding them down, not only that but passing guard and actually getting a dominant position

AS can easily trap GSP in his guard, getting some1 down doesnt = automatic win...there are so many variables in MMA

really to say that a clash between the 2 best fighters in the world right now is easily won by GSP because he can ''take AS down'' is so delusional
 
#46 ·
Most people on here don't like the way fights are judged currently, but most people on here seem to agree that in any fight, the fighter who is liable to get taken down is at a disadvantage? And I dont mean that in the context of a disadvantage if the fight goes to points.

It's like Shogun vs Rashad, the only reason anyone can think of that Rashad will win the fight, is that he might take Shogun down... how is that going to solidify a win? Does he have superior Jiu Jitsu or regularly finish people on the ground? NO!!!

So, GSP will beat Silva, because he might take him down... right. I honestly struggle to understand these theories, Silva is MUCH bigger, has longer limbs, has better Jiu Jitsu, and if Sonnen can't pound him out, GSP can't.

Is GSP going to KO Anderson with a quick left and 1-2's? I don't think so, let's try and be realistic. And yes, when Sonnen was outstriking Silva, Silva was not taking it seriously at all. I've posted my thoughts on GSP vs Silva in another thread, these guys should not be in the ring together, at least professionally.

If this fight happens, I am 90% sure it will be a brutal demonstration for why there are weight classes. Anderson's ideal weight is 205, and he doesn't look undersized sparring with HW's. GSP could beat a fair few MW's, but Silva is light years ahead of his division and can deal with the biggest fighters in the business.
 
#54 ·
I dont understand peoples saying that GSP will have some difficulties to TD Silva. Henderson and Sonnen did..sure this guys are some very good wrestlers, but GSP has the best TD percentage and he is very good controling peoples on the ground.


Also in my opinion, GSP will not have the same problem as Sonnen, wich is passing the guard. Remember that Fitch has never get his guard passed and Georges did it multiples times during the fight. So I see GSP working in the half guard or in side controle and neutralize triangle end vicous elbow this way.
 
#55 ·
Hardy kept recovering guard on gsp his passes are good but his BJJ isn't all that good really. Andy has a lot better BJJ than Fitch and Dan Hardy. The only area GSP has an advantage skill wise and physically is wrestling.

Another thing people aren't mentioning is that Sonnen and Hendo took a **** load of damage to close the distance and they have way better chins. You have to exchange with Andy if you want to be able to get him to commit to entering the pocket instead of picking you apart with jabs and leg kicks from the outside. If you try and shoot from the outside like Maia and Okami did you aren't getting him down very often he is too quick.
 
#56 ·
So I see GSP working in the half guard or in side controle and neutralize triangle end vicous elbow this way.
Anderson has some great escapes and rolls into position from being under side control etc. because of his flexibility and long legs, and GSP will be his shortest or one of the shortest opponents to date, making these escapes a lot easier. GSP will be smothered even when he's on top.
 
#57 ·
I love GSP but I think this one would be pretty similar to Shogun vs. Machida 2. If Silva gets taken down he will get right back up, when that happens GSP will panic and get demolished. He's just too small to keep a guy as big as Anderson down, he couldn't TKO BJ Penn on the ground, how is he going to fight a big MW.
 
#58 · (Edited)
I watched this when it aired on Thursday night, and I wowed after I heard this. It's obvious bias. I'm sure no fighter would put another fighter down in their camp, but to say GSP would win right now is asinine.


Both fighters are strong where the other is weak at. Anderson has superior striking, and GSP's grappling is superior. GSP's evolving striking will allow him to at least compete with Anderson on the feet, which he will have to do if he wants to take Silva down efficiently. With that being said, If he gets caught in the clinch from trying to grapple or wrap up Silva, this is where GSP can get in a world of trouble. Silva might not be able to grapple with GSP, but Silva's ability to punish people in the clinch will be able to somewhat counter that.

GSP will have to grind out a 5 round fight because I can almost guarantee he will not finish Andy in any fashion, and if you give Andy 25 mins to find a way to beat a guy, he can do it if anyone can. That is the one thing about this potential fight that no one seems to be pointing out. How long can GSP control a guy who is so dangerous on his feet and who seems to finish people at will, and not to mention the size difference, and arguably the best MMA fighter in the world, not just weight class.
 
#59 ·
Wow this is a really heated topic!

The way I see it, this is GSP's fight to lose. Anderson has a harder time with strong wrestlers, and that is St.Pierre's strongest point. I'm also certain he would come up with a gameplan to deal with the striking of Silva and get it to the ground. However that won't be easy considering the length of Silva's limbs. Being able to control where the fight takes place is a huge advantage. That's why I say it is GSP's fight to lose. It's up to him to get Silva down and control the fight. That is not to discredit Silva, but stylistically I believe GSP should have the advantage.

I cannot predict if there would be a finish or a decision, because both guys are so good it's too hard to predict exactly what will happen. It's very possible for GSP to get a decision or a tko. But it's also very possible for Silva to get a ko/tko or submission.
 
#60 · (Edited)
Each fight and round starts out standing, and in order to truly control a fight, one has to be able to control the standup game first and foremost which will be difficult against Silva. Guys whose strong suit is grappling will respect a superior striker, and it will throw them off balance. I think Anderson's striking is that much better than GSP's to make him think twice. If GSP's standup isn't threatening towards Silva, that will make his TDs less threatening as well. GSP has yet to be truly tested on his feet unlike on the ground.
 
#62 ·
Rashad is definately going to be bias, but at the same time, he must see a lot of GSP up against Marq and himself. He would know the strength and striking of GSP and be able to do some relative comparison.

I'm not sure who would win between he and Silva, but man it would be the biggest fight in UFC history, the Mayweather V Pac equivelent. I will be pumped for months if this one is signed.
 
#66 ·
I think that Florian and Rashad are a bit biased due to the fact that Rashad trains out of Jackson's camp and Florian also trains with GSP from time to time.

With that being said, I think that GSP has a great shot at winning this fight. Silva is unlike anyone GSP has faced, and GSP is unlike anyone Silva has faced.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top