Who should Anderson Silva fight next?
It seems everyone wants s piece of Anderson Silva.
Former UFC champion Randy Couture has expressed interest in fighting Silva in the 205 pound division
“I’m definitely interested at fighting at 205. I think Anderson would be a great fight … I think he’s a fantastic fighter, and if that’s someone they want me to compete against I’d be all over that”, Couture said to SBNation.com.
Commenting on the recent wins over Demian Maia and Patrick Cote Couture said “I’m not sure what his perspective has been the last couple of times, though. I think since the Cote fight he’s taken on a different style and hasn’t been as explosive, not trying to finish fights early on. I don’t know if it’s concerning, but it’s interesting where he’s coming from with that. He certainly still has that capability. Maia, Cote, he could have finished those guys if he wanted to take the risk, so I’m not sure what’s going on where he doesn’t want to step up and take that risk.”
But Couture may have to wait in line, with Georges St Pierre also expressing an interest in a match up that would set in MMA world on fire. It’s the fight message boards on the internet have been dreaming about for years – possibly the biggest fight in UFC history.
And according to UFC president Dana White, everyone keeps asking for it so he just might have to give it to them. Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, says the Brazilian champion is all about big fights, and that means bringing in whoever is going to present the biggest challenge.
The question then becomes what weight class will they face off at? Silva fights in Middleweight at 185 while St-Pierre fights in Welterweight at 170.
“First of all, I think to protect both champions, I think it’s smarter to do it at a catchweight possibly, but who knows? Anderson… I don’t think he could. Maybe he could, I’m not sure, make it down to 170. I think it’s much easier and more likely that Georges goes up to 185,” Soares told MMAWeekly Radio recently.
Silva has fluctuated a lot in weight throughout his career, fighting anywhere from 167 up to 205 pounds, knocking out both James Irvin and Forrest Griffin at that weight.
“Could Anderson do it? He probably could,” Soares commented about Silva. “It would be interesting. It would be a great promotion. If either one could make each other’s weight class, it would be a great promotion to be the first guy holding two belts at the same time.”
When it comes to Silva’s career, it’s all about the big fight, and Soares isn’t in the business of turning down opportunities for his fighters.
“Tell GSP to make weight, we’ll be waiting,” Soares said simply.
So once Silva has fought GSP at 185, he can then gain another 20 pounds to fight Couture at 205! In reality, we doubt the Silva-Couture fight will happen, but if GSP or Silva can somehow agree on a weight to face off at, the internet would melt from the buzz generated.
Of course, all 3 fighters are tied up until the end of the year right now so any discussion is currently academic. Silva is due to fight Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 in late August, GSP is due to defend his belt in UFC 123 against Josh Koscheck on December 11 and Couture has to first finish his fight with James Toney, the boxer turned MMA fighter which is being hyped for UFC 118 on August 28.
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