UFC 135 Results: Why Josh Koscheck Would Be a Threat to Anderson Silva

Josh Koscheck's nine-month layoff did not hurt him that much as he cruised to victory over Matt Hughes at UFC 135. It was a sterling performance for one of the best welterweight fighters in the world, but when it was over we were still left with more questions than answers because Koscheck is talking about a move up to middleweight.

It would be a smart move for Koscheck because he knows that he is low on the welterweight championship contender totem pole after Georges St-Pierre went to town on his right eye last December.

But a move up in weight class would serve Koscheck, Silva and UFC well.

While Koscheck has not said definitively that he would move up in weight, the fact that he is entertaining the notion speaks volumes about how confident he is in his ability to add more bulk to his body without sacrificing his skills.

And he has the skills to give UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva a good fight, which is something Silva is not used to.

The fighters that have given Silva problems are those that have strong wrestling credentials. Koscheck was an NCAA champion before beginning his mixed martial arts career. He does not use his wrestling as much as he used to, because his power and striking skills have improved so much that he wants to stand, but it is still in his back pocket if and when he needs to use it.

Koscheck would have to take at least one fight at middleweight before he is given a title shot, but with no contenders left in the middleweight division and Koscheck eager to get back in the spotlight, there is no reason for him not to take the leap.

Koscheck has the skills necessary to take down Silva, he has the drive and motivation to become a champion, and there is nothing left for him to do in the welterweight division.

He is at least three fights away from becoming a contender in the welterweight division, so why shouldn't he take the risk and move up in weight to get a fight with the greatest mixed martial artist that any of us have ever seen?

I believe Koscheck has what it takes to at least hang with Silva, and all it takes in this sport is one punch to shock the world.