Ed Soares Says Michael Bisping and GSP Are Good Opportunities for Anderson Silva

Ed Soares, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva’s manager, has stated on more than one occasion that he doesn’t think Chael Sonnen is worthy of another title shot just yet. 

Despite giving “The Spider” the fight of his life at UFC 117, and defeating Brian Stann in dominant fashion at UFC 136, it is unknown whether or not “Uncle Chael” will be the next challenger for Sonnen’s title. 

Soares has stated that he does not find any rematches at middleweight intriguing, also apparently not a fan of a part II with Sonnen’s Team Quest teammate, Dan Henderson. 

So who does Soares want the pound-for-pound king to fight before he retires?

Current “The Ultimate Fighter” coach Michael Bisping or UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

Soares initially did not sound like he was a big fan of “The Count” when discussing future opponents for Silva in a radio interview.

"I'll be honest with you: I never even really thought of Bisping too much," Soares said on Sherdog Radio Network's Rewind show. "Not that I didn't respect him as a fighter–I do,” Soares said.

"It was just that it didn't cross my mind because there's so many things happening all the time. People talk about Chael and Brian Stann, and sometimes people are focused on the TUF show,” he added. 

Nevertheless, Soares though Bisping, who is riding a three-fight win streak, could square off in the Octagon with Silva one day.

He gave the odds of the Silva vs. St-Pierre super fight the same odds, remaining fairly vague with his assessment of the situation.

"But I think Bisping could be a good opportunity. GSP (Georges St-Pierre) could be a good opportunity. There's a lot of great opportunities."

Bisping has recently gone on the record stating that Sonnen should be behind him in the line for a title shot, despite the fact that The Count is yet to defeat a top 10 talent in the UFC. 

The Count’s next fight will be opposite Jason “Mayhem” Miller at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale on December 3. 

Mayhem of course coach’s opposite Bisping on this season’s TUF. 

Meanwhile, GSP, almost unanimously considered the number two pound-for-pound fighter in the world behind Silva, has won nine fights in a row with six successful title defenses (compared to Silva’s 15 wins and 9 defenses respectively, both UFC records).

Most recently, GSP heartbreakingly had to withdraw from his UFC 137 main event fight with Carlos Condit after suffering a knee injury just 11 days out from the event.