The Doggy Bag: Fox of a Deal

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Everybody is talking about Georges St. Pierre fighting Anderson Silva. It is obviously a huge matchup, but it seems to me that GSP has no interest, so why do people keep obsessing about this fight? That is why I am partial to Silva moving up to 205 pounds to face Jon Jones. Jones is not desperate for contenders, at least not yet, but that fight seems huge to me and one that both guys might actually accept without arguing about catchweights, belts and so on. If Anderson moved up to 205 and started challenging there, it would not ruin the UFC’s stable of champions if he vacated the middleweight title, because he would be taking on bigger stars and former champions at 205. Am I crazy here or what? -- Bernard, from Melbourne

Mike Whitman, news editor: You are not crazy, but what Silva does from here on out is greatly dependent on how long the man wishes to continue fighting. Now that he has avenged his loss to Yushin Okami and beaten everyone worth beating at 185 pounds, “The Spider” could go one of two ways.

If he is content with his legacy as it is, a fight with Georges St. Pierre makes a lot of sense. Whether it is at a catchweight or at 185, this fight would serve as a perfect swan song to the Brazilian’s storied career. Additionally, it is not only a winnable fight for Silva, but there is a good chance he will make St. Pierre look mortal.

GSP uses speed and superior athleticism to put his foes on their heels, mixing up sharp combinations with lightning-quick takedown attempts. Though St. Pierre usually -- with notable exceptions -- batters his foes with blunt force, he first outfoxes them to gain that opportunity. I simply cannot see St. Pierre outfoxing Silva. Nothing that GSP will throw at him standing could possibly surprise Silva, even his patented lead-hand Superman punch.

The greater challenge for Silva will unquestionably be Jones. Silva’s game hinges on controlling distance at virtually all times, something I think he would be able to do effectively against St. Pierre. Jones, on the other hand, is a different animal altogether. Listed at 6-foot-4, Jones’ massive reach and lanky frame could easily create problems for the smaller, though similarly built Silva. Jones is the perfect challenge for the man some are calling the greatest of all-time.

The problem is that a super fight between Jones and Silva makes little sense presently for the UFC. The light heavyweight division is chockfull of eager challengers waiting to take a stab a “Bones.” Circumnavigating that hierarchy and hopping straight to the big payoff would deprive the UFC of the big bucks that Jones will bring in while building his own mystique in the next year or two.

Likewise, Silva will need to look impressive against some 205-pounders not named James Irvin and Forrest Griffin. I imagine he will, but it might take more time than Silva is willing to spend at this point in his career. Provided he does not take a rematch with Chael Sonnen, Silva should go down one of the two aforementioned paths. I agree that the more rewarding and enticing road would be a run at light heavyweight; it just might not be realistic.

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