420atalon

This has been brought up a lot lately and even though I am leaning towards Silva more now then I used to it is not because of size. I have even seen it said that GSP is a mediocre size WW. Compared to who? Rumble Johnson???

Here are a couple clips some people should watch regarding GSP's size.

GSP training with Evans, very slight size difference.



GSP wrestling 6'4 245 lb NHL fighter George Laraque



Yes Silva would have a height and slight reach advantage but he is not going to have any more of a substantial size advantage over GSP then he has had over many of his previous MW opponents.

GSP has great takedowns and wrestling, Sonnen may be a little stronger but GSP does a much better job setting up takedowns. GSP also has some of the best jabs and striking of any fighter Silva has fought.

As mentioned I am still leaning towards Silva now that he has become a destructive force again. His striking is a step above everyone elses in the UFC and he has great finishing ability. That all said I still hope to see this fight in the near future. Hopefully after GSP dismantles Condit.

Just throwing some fuel on the fire and beating the already dead horse .

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Hammerlock2.0

Silva walks around at around 202 according to the Bonnar fight and GSP walks around at around 190-195 in between fights according to interviews. That's 7-12 pounds. You decide.

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Ape City

GSP to Silva is pretty much the same difference as Silva to Jones. All things being equal, size is an advantage.

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420atalon

Not all things are equal though. That is why GSP has a chance against Silva and also why Silva would beat Bones

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Ape City

Totally agree.

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dlxrevolution

GSP is a very intellegent person/fighter who I respect. But GSP/AS size difference advantage/disadvantage is simply just a bunch nonsence. Kenny Florian, a natural 145'er, competed at Welterweight as well as MW and has fared just fine. Jon Fitch, someone who GSP has been successful against, went 10-2 at Light Heavyweight before dropping down to 170. Vitor Belfort, a natural 185'er, was Heavyweight tournament winner, AND Light heavyweight champion before competing at middleweight. When all of those factors come into play, there is absolutely no excuse for why GSP, who is a proven natural welterweight, can't fight Anderson Silva at 185, or even a 180-178 catch weight. The size difference isn't too great, and would most likely offer a minuscule advantage that wouldn't have any effect on the outcome of the fight being if they were the same size.

No_Mercy

This is actually the only time where an opponent will be quicker than The Spider.

If GSP was bigger he would lose his speed. It's going to be very tactical. GSP would be moving around constantly threatening the takedown. I see at least a couple of rounds where GSP gets it and is able to hold em even if he's not advancing. The ref won't let em up...he'll let GSP "work."

But...somewhere in the latter rounds GSP may get caught with a shot. I also see a very quick blowout. GSP takes down his opponents a certain way and Anderson is crazy enough to use his knee to try to counter knowing if he misses he'll get taken down. He did this against Carlos Newton knocking him out and Travis Lutter. He also did it against Maia while he was circling to his right.

They can easily meet at 180. I think 178 is a lil too much of a cut for Anderson. GSP already walks around 195 from what I've heard. This fight has to happen if GSP beats Condit. The masses demand it!

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Marcus Aurelius: Tell me again, Maximus, why are we here?
Maximus: For the glory of the Empire, sire.

Baked, not fried... the healthy choice.

jonnyg4508

Many people know where I stand on this.

Anderson would have an advantage. So does 1 fighter in most all "superfights" between weight classes. So do many fighters over their whole division. Bones is a lot bigger than all the 205ers he fights. Cruz dwarfs most...most BWs. For most any "superfight" to happen one guy is usually going to have the size advantage.

However, Anderson is 6 years his elder. Does that not count for anything these days? Especially an older man not on TRT?

GSP also is the wrestler in this equation. Size many times is helpful a lot more in wrestling scenarios. Anderson is not trying to take GSP down and use his weight. He isn't trying to clinch and lean on GSP.

GSP supposedly used to take Rashad Evans down in practice. One of the better wrestlers in all of MMA, a man who competes at 205. So what is the problem here?

Carlos Condit is not Anderson...obviously. But Condit is 6'2, same as Anderson. Condit has a 76 inch reach...1.5 inches less than Anderson. So again, what is the problem here?

Anderson is willing to meet GSP pretty much in the middle. Showing that he can go below his 185 class and that he isn't some gigantic man. Not that Penn would have wanted him too, but GSP didn't meet Penn in the middle for either fight. GSP fought Serra and Sherk, 2 midgets at 155 let alone 170. If Jones/Anderson was made I doubt Jones would meet in the middle. Doubt he would meet anywhere. So again, what is the problem.

The only people who make a big deal out of the size are people who are terrified to watch GSP get KTFO. At least it would be better than getting dropped and finsihed by T-Rex, lightweight, Matt Serra.

TheLyotoLegion

Kenny Florian was hardly a "natural 145'er" he was a huge Featherweight.

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HadouKEN

I agree, on top of that aren't Silva and GSP ranked number one and two pound for pound? People are highly advocating Silva vs Bones (#1 vs #3) but why not have the number one and number two pound for pound fighters face each other and the winner of that face the number three ranked pound for pound? (that being Jones)

It seems like since a lot of people love GSP they don't want him to fight Silva because they are afraid he will lose and they want him to keep his spot at number two.