Who can beat Anderson Silva?

[Alexander]

Who do you think would have a better chance of defeating Anderson: GSP coming up to 185 or Anderson moving up to face Rampage? Styles make fights, blah blah. Rampage would probably smash GSP even if GSP had fought at 185 for awhile and then moved up to 205. That obviously doesn't necessarily mean that GSP would be an easier fight for Anderson. That said, I think Page would have a very good chance of beating Anderson. I'd give Page a 50% chance and GSP maybe 30%. What are your thoughts?

[jas123]

It's hard to say how GSP would be at 185. Would his wrestling be top notch or would his size hurt him? He'd be a lot shorter than Anderson. I think GSP would mentally cave against a fighter like Anderson. However, it seems like a shooting for a takedown is better than taking him down from the clinch with Anderson. Henderson had a harder time taking him down than I thought he would. GSP wouldn't get wild like Hendo either. I'd give him a 20% chance at best.

Page could probably bully Anderson a little and take him too the floor. As long as he could stay out of the plum, I think he could pound away at Anderson from the ground. I'd say there's a 60% chance of a victory howl.

How about Machida?

I guess you're saying that no one will beat him at 185 essentially. No one currently in the UFC has a great shot. If Hendo could avoid getting wild, a rematch would be itneresting.

[Mulletsoldier]

I'll reserve judgement until after GSP's next few fights.

[warriorway]

I'd have to give the edge to GSP, he's probably just as fast as anderson but more explosive. He's well rounded enough to catch a kick and take anderson down and control him on the ground enough and escape any submission attempts. I think there's would be the best matchup.

As far as Rampage, Silva's too fast he could probably just stay on the outside peppering him with combo's and circling away, he's a very patient fighter that way. But once he sees his opening he's on you like white on rice.

[Alexander]

It's hard to say how GSP would be at 185. Would his wrestling be top notch or would his size hurt him? He'd be a lot shorter than Anderson. I think GSP would mentally cave against a fighter like Anderson. However, it seems like a shooting for a takedown is better than taking him down from the clinch with Anderson. Henderson had a harder time taking him down than I thought he would. GSP wouldn't get wild like Hendo either. I'd give him a 20% chance at best.

Page could probably bully Anderson a little and take him too the floor. As long as he could stay out of the plum, I think he could pound away at Anderson from the ground. I'd say there's a 60% chance of a victory howl.

How about Machida?

I guess you're saying that no one will beat him at 185 essentially. No one currently in the UFC has a great shot. If Hendo could avoid getting wild, a rematch would be itneresting.

That's a good point about the takedowns. Even if GSP gets him down, I don't know how he would do in Anderson's punishing preying mantis like guard? Page on the other hand could probably use his brute strength to be a threat in Anderson's guard. I think your 20 and 60 might be a better bet. Page's chin would be a big advantage too. GSP's little Kermit the Frog(Norris should like that) head might get put to sleep.

We'll see how GSP looks against Serra, but I don't think that will show us much. GSP is gonna dominate Serra, real bad.

[Alexander]

I'll reserve judgement until after GSP's next few fights.

It's gonna be hard to determine much if he fights Serra and then Fitch. Those guys aren't even in Anderson's league. GSP will dominate both of them. I think Kos is probably GSP's biggest threat and he already took care of him rather easily. I'd be thrilled if GSP beat Serra and immediately moved up and faced either Okami/Franklin/Bisping, etc. Maybe one more fight after that and then time for Anderson/GSP. I don't know if they can keep Anderson occupied at 185 for that long though.

[Mulletsoldier]

It's gonna be hard to determine much if he fights Serra and then Fitch. Those guys aren't even in Anderson's league. GSP will dominate both of them. I think Kos is probably GSP's biggest threat and he already took care of him rather easily. I'd be thrilled if GSP beat Serra and immediately moved up and faced either Okami/Franklin/Bisping, etc. Maybe one more fight after that and then time for Anderson/GSP. I don't know if they can keep Anderson occupied at 185 for that long though.

I meant more psychologically. In terms of skill-sets, GSP could beat Anderson. All things being equal, I would give him a 50/50 chance. I only discount him because of his head, and that's why I want to see his attitude in these fights.

[warriorway]

Page doesn't know how to defend against knees either, he just tries to use brute strength to get out of a clinch, which works against most.
With a good thai clinch they're not just pulling on your neck like we see most people do. They'll use there elbows as a lever in the guy's shoulders and pull the top of the head down. You have maybe a millisecond to escape.

[Alexander]

Page doesn't know how to defend against knees either, he just tries to use brute strength to get out of a clinch, which works against most.
With a good thai clinch they're not just pulling on your neck like we see most people do. They'll use there elbows as a lever in the guy's shoulders and pull the top of the head down. You have maybe a millisecond to escape.

True, I wonder if Juanito has done anything to address that. Griffin will probably try to thai clinch him(at least he should), decent chance we'll get to see if Page has improved his defense.

[jas123]

Aside from BJ moving up, I think that you're right in that Kos is the only real threat to GSP. If he could tailor his wrestling to a more defensive style and then try to out-strike GSP, then maybe he'd have a chance, although not good.

I could see a big 185 dude like Franklin sprawling on GSP and eventually KOing him, but I'm not sure Rich has it anymore.

[Mulletsoldier]

Aside from BJ moving up, I think that you're right in that Kos is the only real threat to GSP. If he could tailor his wrestling to a more defensive style and then try to out-strike GSP, then maybe he'd have a chance, although not good.

I could see a big 185 dude like Franklin sprawling on GSP and eventually KOing him, but I'm not sure Rich has it anymore.

If GSP had never lost to Serra, and continued on to destroy Hughes x 3, Fitch, whoever, I'd bet on GSP in a fight against Silva. He was formerly relentless in his striking, has very good sub defense, and is far more explosive than anything Anderson has faced.

I mean, look how Hendo controlled that first round, and I think GSP is more competent on the ground than Hendo (though it was really the standup which did him in).

[Rodja]

Honestly, I think GSP, Kang, and maybe Lindland are the only ones with >25% chance.

[size]

Matt Lindland.
Sadly, UFC continues to not allow Matt Lindland back into the mix.

Does no one think Chonan can get a repeat?

I would like to see Machida drop down in weight and fight Silva. I think it would make for a very interesting stand up battle but it will not happen.

[pistonpump]

did GSP say he was going to move up? why all the talk of him moving up? at 185 i dont think anyone can beat Silva. If they do it would be pretty lucky.

[swole210]

I like GSP a lot,and hopefully he comes back around, I don't think there is anyone who can take Silva out right now! The man is just SO fluid, and versatile in his attacks. He throws the best and most precise combonations I have ever seen. I mean he uses it all! Punches, kicks, knees, elbows, everything in combonations! He's effing SICK!

[KurtisWicked]

Why are people still giving GSP a chance against Silva? At 170 GSP is a force and would be VERY hard to beat but at 185 I'm not sure, let alone against Silva. He could handle some of the lower level guys but no one top 5.

Back on topic, not many. Silva's striking is light years ahead of most of the fighters out there. He'd KO Liddell, Wand, Shogun, Jardine, Machida, and I think he'd take Rampage. He demolished Hendo in the second round.

[aquanutz]

Butterbean.



Don't think he'd make weight though....

[xtreme1]

GSP at 185 will get destroyed by Anderson Silva. The only way Silva will get tested is at 205. He has great speed and muay thai and bjj he would do fine at 205. I would like to see him go against W silva or even someone like Mike Bisping or rashad Evans. Remember Anderson has everything over most of the 205 class but power but he has enough of everything else to beat them all. if he goes down in weight the only one that may have the compleat package to give him a fight is GSP and it wont be enough.

[robdog]

At 185, Filho and Lindland have the best chances. Too bad he will never fight either one of them. Rampage would kill Anderson as would most top light heavies, lets not get delusional here.

[Mulletsoldier]

At 185, Filho and Lindland have the best chances. Too bad he will never fight either one of them. Rampage would kill Anderson as would most top light heavies, lets not get delusional here.

I don't think so. Recent history shows us that fighters can be very competitive in 'unnatural' weight classes (i.e., Hendo KO'ing Silva, Randy winning the HW belt). It's not delusional at all to assume he would.