UFC
KELLER BLOG: Five reasons Dana White is right to avoid GSP vs. Anderson Silva
Aug 28, 2009 - 2:42:53 PM KELLER BLOG: Five reasons Dana White is right to avoid GSP vs. Anderson Silva

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Here are five reasons Dana White did the right thing by deciding against pursuing a Georges St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva fight at any weight class...

(1) Forrest Griffin got destroyed by Silva, and it really could have done more harm than good in the sense that Griffin's drawing power going forward is greatly damaged. If GSP lost to Silva merely because of the weight difference at the time of the fight, and if GSP lost badly, it really could hurt his drawing power with the mainstream MMA fans who hold that against him.

(2) Anderson Silva isn't committed long-term to UFC. The last thing White would want is for Silva to beat GSP handily, be declared the best Pound for Pound fighter, and then end up losing to Roy Jones Jr. or signing full time with Strikeforce for a big money deal.

(3) There are many good fights for Silva that don't include potentially damaging one of UFC's other established headliners, and a huge draw in Canada. Looking at the calendar and how many fights Silva has time for in his career, there are many PPV main event caliber fights for him that involve other fighters who can't draw on their own otherwise and are better size match-ups. UFC is a business, if they can have a GSP fight on top in February and a Silva fight on top in March, and both feature quality opponents in intriguing match-ups that draw, why waste two fights to create one GSP vs. Silva fight instead.

(4) If GSP were to win, what is gained? It makes Griffin look weak, it makes anyone Griffin beat or held his own against look weak, it damages Anderson Silva's drawing power, and it establishes GSP Is the best yet his welterweight challenger list won't be any deeper as a result. So then does GSP move up in weight and fight undersized and end up losing at some point? He's better off dominating the welterweight division as the "Most Dominant Champion in UFC" potentially.

(5) Dana can always change his mind, but if the stars aren't aligned where it makes sense to do it soon, it's best to get UFC fans talking about other "dream fights" for both fighters instead of lamenting that GSP vs. Silva has been "put off another few months." If Dana's firm about it not happening ever, UFC fans can shift their attention elsewhere. But if circumstances are such in a year or so that it seems like the obvious "Biggest Fight Ever" again, and if Silva and GSP are at a point in terms of their careers and potential other opponents where the fight makes sense, Dana can explain how things have changed and it's time for the fight after all.