Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre: Breaking Down the Dream Fight

Considered by many to be two of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre have dominated their respective divisions with an iron fist. Fans have been asking for this fight and will probably ask for it until it takes place.

Whether the UFC is interested in putting up a fight between its two most dominant fighters at catch-weight is the question. Rumors are circling saying that they could possibly fight at UFC 100, but nothing is sure.

One thing is for sure: Fans around the world speculate on the outcome and what would happen if these two great champions collided in the octagon one day. Here is a full analysis on both fighters and my prediction on the outcome of an eventual fight between these two men.

Georges St-Pierre

Age: 27 years old

Reach: 76 inches

Style: Kyokushin Karate, Wrestling, Muay Thai, BJJ, Boxing

Years active: Six

MMA record: 19-2-0

Georges St-Pierre made his UFC debut at UFC 46 by defeating Karo "The Heat" Parisyan and has dominated the welterweight division since that day. He is a two-time welterweight champion and one of the best in the UFC. A victory over Anderson Silva would probably make Georges one of, if not the, best fighters to step in the UFC.

Greatest Wins

•On Nov. 29, 2003, GSP defeated UFC veteran Pete Spratt in the Canadian organization TKO. He finished him off in the first round and was then invited to compete in the UFC.

•At UFC 54, St-Pierre dominated top welterweight contender Frank Trigg, choking him out in the very first round. The beating was so brutal Trigg left the octagon crying, and Georges showed the whole world what he was capable of.

•March 4, 2006 marked the return of one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world as he fought GSP at UFC 58. Georges was still impressive, winning a split decision over B.J. Penn.

•Georges went on to become the UFC welterweight champion for the first time when he defeated the champion, Matt Hugues, at UFC 65.

•At UFC 83, Georges avenged his loss to Matt Serra in front of his home crowd of Montreal to become the welterweight champion for the second time.

•At UFC 87, Georges St-Pierre defended the title against Jon Fitch, a man many considered to be the best challenge for GSP. St-Pierre made a great fighter look average, destroying Fitch for five rounds to keep his title.

Greatest Losses

•After two fights in the UFC, Georges fought former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hugues for the vacated title. St-Pierre was doing really well until he was taken down and submitted with only one second left in the first round.

•When Georges finally became the welterweight champion at UFC 65, he went and dropped it to Matt "The Terror" Serra in the upset of the decade at UFC 69.

Strengths

•Georges is one of the only men in the UFC who can push the pace against an opponent for five straight rounds and not get tired. He has shown many times he has great cardio.

•GSP is a very well-rounded fighter who can finish a fight on the feet or on the ground. He seems comfortable wherever the fight goes.

•GSP has shown that he has probably the best wrestling skills in all the UFC. He has taken each of his opponents to the ground whenever he wanted. He is successful on 80 percent of his takedowns.

•To accompany all that, Georges gets better and better at every fight. He is always better then his last fight...it's scary.

Weaknesses

Georges has very little, if any weaknesses—he truly is the complete fighter. Only one weakness comes to mind, and it's his glass jaw. An average punch on a fighter becomes a devastating punch on GSP. He's very good to avoid getting hit, but when he gets caught, it's usually over.

His Strategy If He Is To Fight Anderson Silva

GSP's best strategy against Anderson Silva would have to be to take him down and keep him there while avoiding Silva's submission attempts. Georges has much better wrestling skills, and that's what would take him to the promised land. Plus, he could push the pace on Silva using his superior cardio ability. I don't see Georges finishing off Silva but he can win a decision.

Anderson Silva

Age: 33 years old

Reach: 77.5 inches

Style: Muay Thai, BJJ

Years active: Eight

MMA record: 23-4-0

Anderson Silva took the UFC by storm. He became the UFC middleweight champion and has kept the gold so far. Many fans consider him the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He has racked up an eight-fight winning streak in the UFC, tying the record of Royce Gracie and Jon Fitch. Another victory and he sets a new UFC record.

Greatest Wins

•At PRIDE 25, Anderson Silva defeated former UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton by TKO in the very first round.

•On Oct. 14, 2006, Anderson Silva dominated the UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and TKO'ed him in the first round. Many said he got lucky...let's see what they think today.

•At UFC 73, Silva defeated Nate Marquardt, a man who hadn't lost in more than two years and who was a former Pancrase champion. Silva made short work of Nate with a TKO victory in round one.

•At UFC 82, Anderson Silva defended the title against his toughest challenge yet in former PRIDE middleweight and light-heavyweight champion Dan Henderson. Silva lost the first round, only to make adjustments and finish the fight in the second.

Greatest Losses

•Silva has a 9-1 record before his fight against Daiju Takase at PRIDE 26. A heavy favorite, Anderson went on to lose in the first round by triangle choke.

•At PRIDE Shockwave 2004, Anderson Silva fought Ryo Chonan. Silva was dominating the fight and was well on his way to a victory when he was submitted by a flying heel hook that forced him to tap out.

Strengths

•Silva never underestimates his opponents. Whether he's fighting Chris Leben or Demian Maia, he studies his opponents and respects their skills.

•Silva is long and lean—he looks like he's made of plastic. He has reach advantage over most of the fighters in his division and also has really long legs that are devastating.

•Anderson Silva is considered to be the best pure striker in the UFC. His punches are devastating, and he rarely misses his target. When he hits, he connects.

•Silva also has really good Jiu-jitsu skills. He trains his BJJ with the Nogueira brothers, two of the best practitioners of the style. His striking is so feared that most people take him down thinking they will be safe...huge mistake.

•He arguably has the best clinch in the UFC. His knees and elbows are deadly. 

Weaknesses

•A lot like GSP, Anderson doesn't seem to have weaknesses. The only place he is lacking is in his wrestling skills. Silva likes to bang and doesn't take his opponents to the ground—it's the other side around. It's not really a huge weakness because Anderson Silva is still deadly from his back, but against a good wrestler, he could have a run for his money.

His Strategy If He Is To Fight Georges St-Pierre

Without a doubt, Silva wants to bang with GSP. Keep the fight on his feet and exploit the glass chin of St-Pierre. St-Pierre can't stand with Silva, and if it does go to the ground, either get back up or lock in a submission. Silva can't stay inactive against St-Pierre on the ground.

Prediction

If these two fighters were to meet in the octagon, I think GSP would be aggressive and go for the takedown. He would either end up in Silva's clinch, which is a very bad idea, or he would take Silva down. If he does take Anderson down, he would have to ground and pound without getting submitted.

What I'm trying to say here is, I don't think GSP can finish Silva in a fight, so he would have to cancel Silva's skills and take the fight to a decision.

Honestly, I just doubt Georges can fight against Silva without getting hit. Silva has great accuracy and connects, plus he has KO power—something GSP doesn't have. GSP's only hope would be to lay on Silva for three rounds and G&P the middleweight champion to a decision.

Projected Outcome: Anderson Silva wins by TKO in round two or three.