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Rashad is confident GSP defeats Anderson Silva.

7K views 66 replies 29 participants last post by  Judoka82 
#1 ·
Rashad Evans 'definitely' believes Georges St-Pierre beats Anderson Silva in potential super fight​

From their days training together at Jackson's MMA in Albuquerque, New Mexico, former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre have forged a bond. They're friends and often if not always speak fondly of one another. They've both also developed a keen sense of the other's abilities and limitations as fighters, which gives them insight into what they can and can't do.

Sure, there's bias there, but for all of their rose-colored glasses, there's an equal amount of conviction. That's why Evans, who has dealt with knee injuries during the ups and downs of his own mixed martial arts career, had high praise for his friend and former training partner after his big win over Carlos Condit on Saturday at UFC 154.

Evans wasn't merely relieved to see St-Pierre physically able to move around, but specifically noted how smart he believed the French-Canadian's game plan was in addition to being highly effective.

"I thought it was outstanding," Evans said of St-Pierre's comeback performance on Monday's The MMA Hour. "Right out the gate, he did something to Carlos which really changed it up from the beginning. He put him on a black line, that outside edge of the cage. And he kept him on that black line, pretty much kept him on his heels the entire time. It's really hard to mount an offensive attack when you're on your heels and you're backing up. That was something Georges did right out the gate. The only time he did get in trouble, Carlos was pushing forward and he got caught with that left high kick."

Now that St-Pierre is back to what appears to be full form, a proposed super fight with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva looms on the horizon and Evans knows it. While St-Pierre has been non-committal about it and has never publicly stated he likes the idea, Evans doesn't seem to think that's an issue.

The Blackzillian light heavyweight told Ariel Helwani on Monday's show that St-Pierre's best skills match up neatly with Silva's most glaring weaknesses. Asked if St-Pierre has a shot against 'The Spider', Evans was unequivocal.

"Oh yeah, I definitely think he has a shot against Anderson," he said. "One thing about Anderson is this right here: Anderson's a great fighter, but one thing with Anderson is that he has such a problem with defending the takedown. And then on the ground even sometimes he allows people to advance position way too much."

"You see Chael Sonnen, the second time he fought him," Evans continued. "He took him down and before the round's over he had him in mount. You get a guy like Georges St-Pierre in a position like that, Anderson may not make it to another round."

in fairness, Evans - who admitted Silva is one of his favorite fighters to watch compete when he's just being a fan and not a UFC light heavyweight - didn't think it'd be a walk in the park for St-Pierre. Sure, GSP is widely regarded as the better wrestler between the two and arguably the best MMA wrestler in the sport. But what about closing the distance? Silva may not have the wrestling of St-Pierre, but he's also believed by many to manage the real estate between himself and his opposition in fights better than most others. Could St-Pierre really work through that to bring his wrestling to life?

"You know [Silva]'s going to get taken down," Evans argued, "but what it comes down to is does Georges have enough razzle dazzle in order to get in to take a shot? And I say 'yes'".

Evans doesn't suggest beating Silva will be easy for St-Pierre and suggested he'd be more than willing to help the welterweight champion prepare for such a challenge if he's called upon to help. Silva is a stiff test for anyone, the UFC welterweight champion included.

But while Evans acknowledges beating Silva is no given for St-Pierre or any other UFC fighter, he didn't hesitate to go on the record about his prediction for the fight should it happen. Challenges and all, Evans firmly believes St-Pierre has what it takes to become arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter alive.

"I think Georges beats Anderson, yeah," he said. "I really do."
Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/11/20/3671196/rashad-evans-definitely-believes-georges-st-pierre-beats-anderson Video is in the link.

:confused02:
 
#2 ·
I don't quite agree. GSP is a great MMA wrestler but his takedowns are based more on timing than brute strength & power. Against everyone he's faced so far it works great since GSP has better speed & timing than all of his opponents to date.

Against Anderson Silva, well, you got a problem. Anderson has better timing than everyone else, and it's a pretty big gap, plus he's just as fast if not faster than everyone. If you're Chael Sonnen and you just run through people and drag them to the ground it's not as big a deal, but that's not the kind of wrestler GSP is. He's not relentless like Chael, he times things, gets his opponent to commit or hesitate and that's when he takes them down. Not going to be easy against Anderson, and there's a decent chance he'll get faked out or countered by Anderson and eat a knee.

Is it impossible for GSP to take Anderson down? No. But it's going to be harder and more risky than most people think.
 
#12 ·
It's not just timing though. GSP is a freak athlete, he can generate more speed from a standing start than almost anyone in MMA. And he has incredible technique as well.

GSP can and would take Silva down. The question is how quickly he can do it, each round, and how long he can survive before Silva catches him and puts him out.
 
#4 ·
So does gsp though. So does jones. So did fedor.

Everyone finds a way to win... Right until they meet the guy who doesnt let them find it. Its not like anderson has never lost, or even has fewer losses than gsp.

I agree with rashad. Its not easy or a given by any means, but gsp has what it takes.
 
#20 ·
As much as I believe that GSP is the legit #2 pound for pound guy, I wouldn't give him more than 20% chance to win in this match up. GSP doesn't bully and tackle his way to a takedown the way Sonnen does, for him it's more about his opponent over extending or making a mistake (usually because of excessive aggression). I don't see Silva doing that.

Not saying that GSP wouldn't eventually get a takedown or two, if he survives the damage he'll likely take to get one, but once it does hit the ground he doesn't have the power to finish Silva. Actually I don't believe he has the power to finish Silva anywhere, on the feet, on the ground, through cuts nadda.

But we all know Silva has the power to finish GSP ANYWHERE. So when you take into account all these variables there is no way that Silva loses this.

Silva -
Mental game (confidence and psychology) - Silva
Finishing ability - Silva
Heart - Silva
Stand up technique - Silva
Size and Reach - Silva
Power - Silva
Speed - Equal (maybe)
Chin - Silva
Least amount of damage taken on average - Silva
BJJ offense - Silva (slight)
Timing - Silva (slight; Silva striking timing overcomes GSP's takedown timing)
Accuracy - Silva
Killer Instinct - Silva

GSP
Wrestling - GSP
BJJ defense - GSP (slight)
Gameplan/Strategy - GSP
Grappling - GSP (especially top control)
Age - GSP


The most important factors in this fight I think are -

1) Silva's ability to finish anywhere (at any time) and GSP inability to do the same.

2) 5 round fight which favors Silva much more so than it does GSP

3) Silva's chin and constitution (doesn't cut) and GSP lack of power. This ties in with #1.

The fact that the fight starts on the feet every round is major. The fact that even on the ground Silva causes damage (much more so than Condit) than most opponents GSP has faced, and GSP lumps up easy. The fact that Silva has a major power advantage and better ability to absorb damage. The fact that Silva is the larger guy. The fact that it could take Silva a few seconds to end the fight in any round, while it will take GSP 15 minutes minimum out of the the 25 to win.

All that points to me that Silva will dominate this fight. There is a reason GSP is so reluctant to take this fight and that is because he understands this and knows his chances of winning are slim.
 
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#22 ·
...Silva & GSP is gonna be one wicked chess match. I see GSP putting Silva on his back with ease and multiple times. The question is how and can Georges finish Anderson from the top position? Silva won't get submitted. GSP's ground n' pound is some of the best out there but Anderson's ground defense is stellar. Both have proven, great chins. I doubt very much that someone will get finished in this fight. St. Pierre is so intelligent with incredible timing/level changing and Anderson has the best timing. I think this fight will be very, very, close. GSP could outpoint Anderson scoring takedown after takedown and landing some shots. Fight Silva like Sonnen did. GSP is far more all-around skilled than Sonnen is. I love both fighters so whoever wins, I'm happy with it. This certainly is a pick em' fight with tons of unpredictability...
 
#23 ·
The way I view this matchup is similar to how I viewed the Sonnen fight. But Sonnen and GSP have different advantages.

GSP is not going to finish Silva, same way Sonnen was never going to finish him. So he needs 5 rounds of wrestling and top control.

Now obviously GSP has much more BJJ than Sonnen, so a late triangle is probably out of the question. But Sonnen has a better chin. He was able to walk in chin down and get TDs. I don't think GSP can or will even attempt that.

Also, we saw Anderson's great tie up ability. I think he will be able to tie up GSP from bottom pretty well and get it standing. GSP has 5 rounds to not get KO'd.

I don't know what peoples opinion are. But GSP used to be the best MMA wrestler. Then Chael did well and everyone said he was. Now people are back to GSP. Either way they are both some of the best wrestlers in MMA. But Chael was a 205er. Chael's TDs were relentless.

What happens if the 2nd round of the last Sonnen fight happens? Anderson stuffed Chael, so why can't he stuff GSP? People like to cheer and gloat about the first round. But Anderson GAVE him that TD. Anderson just got wrestled in the fight before...we really think Anderson was going to come out with a Wandy Silva looping punch while Chael drops levels? He gave him that TD in the first round.

GSP will bring more sub D. But less of a chin and less walking forward. Which was key in any of Chael's success vs. Silva.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Any one who believed Chael was ever the better MMA wrestler was out of their god damn minds. We're talking about a guy here who got tossed onto his head easily by Damian Maia. A guy who was barely able to out wrestle Michael Bisping (and yes, Mike has strong TDD and defensive wrestling, but he isn't outstanding in the area).

GSP's timing for the take down is god like. @Soakked, I agree with all of the points in your earlier post except from the timing conclusion. Silvas striking timing and GSP'S take down timing are equally impressive. The only reason as to why Silvas timing seems to be more impressive is because his strikes finish fights in an instant, where as GSP is just taking you down, but that doesn't make the actual timing any less impressive. The take down he scored on Condit in round 2 when he threw the leg kick was unreal.

There is no way that Sonnen would out wrestle the likes of Koscheck and Fitch the way GSP did, he wouldn't even come close. How ever I agree that because GSP's take downs are all about the timing of his opponents strikes and moves, rather than Chaels bull rushing approach, he's going to find it very difficult to time Silvas strikes and movement.

This is such an interesting stylistic match up and I really do think it does come down to one thing - timing. GSP's godlike timing in his take downs versus Andersons wizard like timing with his strikes. If Anderson connects, it's over, but if GSP scores the take down in a round, I don't see Andy getting back up to his feet until the next round.
 
#27 ·
You are right Maia wouldn't toss GSP around like that. But you have to ask why he was able to do that when Chael is a real good wrestler none the less?

My reason is because Chael isn't going for a TD or going forward. He was afraid to to death to be on the ground. So weakly clinched. He probably thought Maia was going to pull guard. That TD is more or less a matter of Chael not being ready for it and sucking so bad on the ground.

GSP would never get tossed like that because in a clinch he would be dropping down for a TD. He isn't as afraid. Who knows though, in that same scenario perahps GSP would get tossed. He hasn't fought a guy like Maia was back then...a guy looking for subs and one of the best at doing it from his back and all areas. BJ was a top guy. Shields was a top guy and more a position wrestler/BJJ. Condit was never going to pull guard or do anything too nuts. When you are in the clinch as a wrestler and are hesitant to use your bread and butter for fear of the ground...you tend to get owned.

1 time getting taken down like that vs. an odd fighter like Maia shouldn't automatically mean he isn't an elite wrestler.
 
#36 · (Edited)
I didn't say he wasn't an elite wrestler - he is - I said that there is no way he is the very best wrestler in the game.

Not just that take down alone, but I also referenced the Michael Bisping fight, where for the majority of the fight Bisping was actually pressing Chael up against the fence and controlling him there. You think GSP would allow that? GSP would take a guy like Michael Bisping down at will and hold him there.

Not only that, but the statistics also don't work in Chaels favour. Sonnen has a 59 percent take down success rate and a 71 percent defense rate. In comparison to GSP who completes 78 percent of his take downs and has an 88 percent take down defense percentage. Quite a significant difference there. Official UFC statistics:
http://uk.ufc.com/fighter/chael-Sonnen
http://uk.ufc.com/fighter/georges-St-Pierre

The best MMA wrestlers in the game are GSP and Jon Jones. Whilst Chael Sonnen is certainly an elite wrestler, he's not even close to being the very best, there's a big difference. He's probably top five though.
 
#28 ·
"Anderson's a great fighter, but one thing with Anderson is that he has such a problem with defending the takedown. And then on the ground even sometimes he allows people to advance position way too much."
:laugh:

No. What Silva does way too much of is win and win comfortably. The rest are pointless statistics from lesser fighters trying desperately to justify themselves as top tier.

It's like saying Silva has a problem with boxing defence because he stands there and let opponents punch him in the face. He gets taken down easy because he's confident they cant do anything to him there... and by all evidence... they cant.
 
#29 ·
What exactly is GSP going to do when he advanaces position anyway? GnP him out? No. Sub him? No. I mean that would actually be a good gameplan for SIlva if he does get taken down. Let GSP advanace and maybe even go for a sub and it gives Silva room to get up. Instead of sitting in guard all fight. I think Anderson will just engolf GSP with his elite guard defense.

Anderson would play around with GSP because he would even be less worried about a devistating shot or sub than more guys.
 
#30 ·
GSP is Rashads former training partner, and they probably still roll around sometimes. It's easy to go with your former trainer partner when he's a champion.

The thing with GSP, and I think Matt Hughes put it best, is that he's not that great of a pure wrestler, but what makes him so good is that he's able to set up his take-downs with good combinations. Whereas a pure wrestler like Chael Sonnen can come in and take someone down right off the bat. If GSP can't set up combinations against Anderson Silva, it's going to be more difficult to get a take-down against Silva than it was for Chael. While I still think he will be able to take Anderson down, he's got to go 5 rounds without being put out cold against the best finisher in the business...
 
#63 ·
...Excellent post. Even a few years back at Jackson's camp, GSP was taking down 205 guys pretty easily but they had fits trying to take him down. I think GSP's strength is a little underrated too. Georges is an athletic freak. St. Pierre's wrestling is near or at the top of the MMA game. I would love to see GSP fight Hendricks. Johny has sick power in both hands and his base is wicked solid. Everybody wants to see the Silva/GSP superfight. It would rake in the biggest numbers in UFC history...
 
#32 ·
as evans said, it comes down to whether or not GSP's able to get through the striking and get it down to the mat. Silva is more than able to catch GSP on the way in with basically anything he fancies.

GSP, in all his bouts, has proven, if not superior striking (pretty much anyone), at least close enough to equivalent (Condit, to whom I'd probably give a good chance in a kickboxing match against GSP)

but I believe Silva's striking and timing is on a much higher level, they probably have the same kind of gap in wrestling, but to GSP's advantage.

the thing is, the bout starts standing.

if GPS steps up his striking (and we're talking hollywood-ish step, like big, big time), he may get a few opportunities to take it to the mat.

I think Silva didn't really mind going on the mat with Sonnen and didn't really respect his game that much, he just wanted to make a good show with his 1st round then get it over with, which he did.

GSP definitely has what it takes to control silva on the ground, I believe that firmly. But what would become his TD offense/timing against someone as unexpectable as Silva, he can punch, kick, elbow, knee, whatever he fancies from virtually any position and situation, and land exactly where he wants. I'm not sure GSP could read his game well enough to accurately time takedowns.

The only plan for GSP is to go for Sonnen's plan, but GSP's smaller and probably less strong too, maybe even too conservative to really take the chance. So there's a good chance to see a frozen GSP here too.

if GSP can take AS down, he can take the fight home with an UD, we may even see silva breaking, GSP will play it safe for sure, this coming from a GSP huge fan.
if he can't, he'll get KO'd or TKO'd in the early rounds.

he should fight hendricks first, just to get some more octagon time (all hendricks has is a puncher's chance, but GSP will be ready for it all day)
 
#43 ·
I for one don't think GSP stands a chance in hell against Anderson. I was cheering for GSP as loud as anyone on Saturday but after the beating Anderson gave Chael I just don't see GSP doing anything at all to Anderson. He's not going to hurt Anderson standing and he's not going to hurt him on the ground. It's not even competitive in my mind, it's a one sided ass beating and I'd rather watch the much more competitive jones vs. silva fight.
 
#44 ·
Anderson will be the favorite in this fight, but Im not quite sure he's such a massive favorite as some people think is is.
65/35 Silva?. Depends on what weight they fight at. At 170lbs Id pick GSP to win.

Anderson best chance really is to time his strike when GSP shoots or he will be on his back, just like GSP only has one chance to win. Avoid the strikes and take him down grind it out. GSP has the best top control in the entire sport so Silva will most likely not get back up until the next round. I just dont see GSP getting caught in anything from the top even with Anderson's long limbs.

Or I might be dead wrong, we'll most likely find out in 2013!
 
#48 ·
Off on a tangent here, but I always thought Rashad - Anderson would be a good matchup at 185.

I'd pick Silva to win, but if he wants to **** around like he does with most of his opponents Rashad is one guy who could make him pay. At least he wouldn't have Greg Jackson giving him a terrible gameplan like the Machida fight.
 
#54 ·
I think Silva has much more of a chance to catch GSP shooting in, than he has to stop an engaged takedown.

you can see it in the condit match, GSP's takedown are almost like he starts them *before* his opponent even moves, and he knows what the opponent is going for.

which is why that I feel Anderson would be more likely to catch him with a strike, coming in. By trying to do precise feints that only a top striker like him can pull off. But if GSP plan for shooting is accurate at any given moment and if GSP doesn't fall for the feints and accurately predicts Silva's next strike, it's going down to the mat for sure, once there I don't see Silva doing much.

If he was so good at his jitz, the 1st sonnen fight would not have lasted 5 rounds.
 
#56 · (Edited)
I think it would be a great fight Between Anderson and GSP personally... I'd be rooting for Andy... But GSP is a Beast.

BTW...Someone should tell Rashad, Anderson Silva has about the same career TDD defense accuracy as he does. And would if not for always fighting roided out fighters...


I think Silva has set some record for fighting UFC guys on Drugs or TRT...
 
#57 ·
Sonnen is a different type of wrestling then GSP. GSP uses his striking to set up his quick singles. Chael Sonnen just shoots power doubles all day and even if you stop 1 or 2 he will take you down with the third. Power Doubles are actually pretty easy to stop when you know they are coming so the fact that he gets as many people down as he does is nothing short of amazing.
 
#60 · (Edited)
problem is GSP will get hit in the fight and it only takes one for Anderson. There's no way GSP can take him down for 5 straight rounds, keep him there and never git hit. If the fight happens GSP probably gets tko'ed in the second or third once Anderson gets pissed.

In my mind Anderson is underrated because he likes to let fights go longer than they need to just for the fans, if he wanted to he could have come out and demolished every opponent he's ever faced in the UFC (besides Chael 1 when he was hurt). GSP is good, but Anderson is legendary, he lets people impose their gameplans on him just to prove to them they have literally 0% chance. He lets people hit him in the face so it's a fight and not a one sided beatdown. GSP is a skilled athlete, but from a raw fighting perspective nobody can do what Anderson can, nobody lets their opponents hit them for fun. I've seen fights where Anderson walks directly through punches as if they are pillows. I've never seen him show visible damage, even after Chael pounded on him for 20 minutes he looked unscathed. GSP just has nothing for him, if he had a Hendricks bomb or Maia level submissions he'd maybe win but he doesn't. Anderson will just wriggle around and get off the ground when he decides, maybe the 4th just because he wants to give the fans their moneys worth. People giving GSP a chance underestimate Anderson, he is the best there's ever been by a large margin. When he decides to fight back his ground defense is unbeatable to a gnp wrestler, he just extends his arms and legs staight and rolls around until the guy on top can't hold him any more. At the end of the first round in chael vs. silva 2 he was screwing around going "you can't hit me, look, you can't do anything"
 
#61 ·
I like abit of GSP but i reckon we have to be careful not to use a single fight (e.g silva v sonnen) to base our predictions

Silva's extra length should help him if he ends up on his back and I think his footwork is miles better than anyone GSP has faced - which will make it harder for GSP to get close

Also GSP's chin is alot closer to Andersons knee (and his foot for that matter

I think Silva lost his shit abit against Chael which gave him a good opportunity for a takedown

I also believe that Anderson is still improving and becoming more well-rounded (probably thanks to chael)

Soooo many ways for Anderson to win. I hope its abit of a war atleast until Anderson finishes it
 
#66 ·
<<"One thing about Anderson is this right here: Anderson's a great fighter, but one thing with Anderson is that he has such a problem with defending the takedown. And then on the ground even sometimes he allows people to advance position way too much.">>

But the think with Andy is that he's so good off his back no one can hurt him, and most wind up gagging to a triangle or RN choke.
 
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