Former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre hasn’t always been keen on talk of ‘superfights,’ but his tone has certainly softened over the past year. St-Pierre even told Ariel Helwani back in July 2013 that he was interested in the prospect, but that he was keeping his plans tightlipped. Now, with all that’s transpired with him personally and professionally since last summer, St-Pierre again is stating a renewed interest in one day fighting former middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Speaking with ESPN Brazil and translated by Bloody Elbow’s Fernando Arbex, St-Pierre says he’d be willing to take the fight given a number of conditions.
“There were conversations before but they were talking about me going up at 185,” says St-Pierre. “I weigh 190 pounds, the guy weighs 230 pounds when he is off season. I’m 190 pounds off season. Right now I’m 195 at maximum. My friends saw him and he is now 230, 235. I know people who know him. He is very big. It’s not a fair fight for me. Before, Anderson Silva was in my size when he used to fight in Japan but he is very big now.
“They were talking also that he was going to come in my division when I was the champion and I would have no choice. But me going up and after I fight go back down…I can’t play with my weight. I can’t come back and fight for the title or in a superfight. It has to respect my conditions, all I ask is a fair fight. Right now I need to take some time off. But if they have an offer with something good, maybe.”
Back in May 2013, St-Pierre outright dismissed any discussion of a superfight with Silva after correctly predicting his UFC 162 loss to current champion Chris Weidman. Leading up to the pair’s rematch at UFC 168 in December, Silva, himself, called the very concept of superfights ‘perfect bulls**t,’ more or less trumping them up to cash-grabs. Soon after, UFC president Dana White called the window for any superfight to be ‘dead’ and ‘destroyed,’ saying that the era had passed.
Talk of the fight ever realistically happening seemed completely dead in the water until Ed Soares, Silva’s longtime manager, reintroduced the idea as a comeback fight for Silva earlier this year. “If we were able to pull something like that off, it would be a win-win for everybody – the fans, the UFC,” Soares told USA Today back in January. “I think that would be awesome.” With Silva now shooting for a return in mid 2015, could this be a viable option for he and St-Pierre?
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Done for the year. Anderson Silva says he will not make a return to fighting in 2014 and that his ‘phase as the champion is over.’
Ready for five. Dan Henderson won’t alter his style and play it safe just to avoid dropping a fourth-straight loss.
Bang speaks. Duane Ludwig opens up about his split from Team Alpha Male. ‘I’ve been working for other people since I was 15 years old, and now it’s time for me to do something on my own.’
Bellator > UFC. Emanuel Newton says the UFC’s practices aren’t friendly towards fighters. ‘I just see Bellator definitely surpassing UFC. It’s already happening.’
TRT Vitor. Joe Rogan is disappointed we won’t get to see Chris Weidman fight the Vitor Belfort using TRT. ‘There’s going to be a part of me that is sad, that TRT Vitor has to come down to an end.’
MEDIA STEW
TUF Nations Full Fight: Kajan Johnson vs. Chad Laprise.
Pre-fight interview with Dan Henderson.
Erik Perez talks growing up and training in cartel country.
Din Thomas teaches the Von Flue choke.
Patricky can’t be happy with this voice over work.
We’re heavy on Hendo today but why not? (UFC Brazil has corned the market on Shogun with videos that can’t be viewed in the U.S.)
Long watches.
Patrick Cote discusses this week’s controversial episode of TUF Nations.
Darce Side Radio: Pat Curran and Glory MW Wayne Barrett.
TWEETS
Congrats.
Great day, I did new deals with @EllenbergerMMA and @JohnyHendricks today. Congrats boys pic.twitter.com/AyLyhj1x8Q
— Dana White (@danawhite) March 21, 2014
I’m honored to be headlining a @ufc event! Thanks for the opportunity @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @seanshelby I won’t disappoint!
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) March 20, 2014
Welcome to the @UFC! @ChasSkelly signing his #ufc contract! UFC debut info coming soon! #DreamsDoComeTrue pic.twitter.com/hIPb8hkQYK
— Team TakeDown (@TeamTakeDown) March 20, 2014
Officially blue belt big thanks to coach Greg Nelson for taking my bjj to the level it is now!… http://t.co/43pbivrySJ
— Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) March 21, 2014
Throwback Thursday was strong.
Here is another goodie from way back. pic.twitter.com/8chzyzdrgp
— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) March 21, 2014
#tbt me and @JohnyHendricks johnyhendricksufc scrapping in the Big 12 Finals. Heal up Champ! http://t.co/cguxcvlTIT
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) March 21, 2014
“@ufc: #TBT #ThatHairTho #SoulGlo @cainmma @ryanbader @ASU pic.twitter.com/LD8Ik5dbay” I HATE YOU GUYS !
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) March 20, 2014
#throwbackthursday @holdsworth135 @ARAM_TTD @ttdfan @slickrickttd MARC LAIMON. #goodtimes pic.twitter.com/l1WiKM4yjd
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) March 20, 2014
Back in Temecula for @danhendo last training camp vs Shogun Rua in 2011. Looking forward to another… http://t.co/FESS8nxbVp
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) March 20, 2014
Get well soon.
Well, I’m still alive 😄 and surgery went great! Thanks to everyone for their well wishes Can’t wait to get back in the gym 💪😎👊
— Davey Grant (@DaveyGrantMMA) March 20, 2014
Ugh, I’m getting injured more now thn when I was training for a #fight . #mma #stitches #jiujitsu http://t.co/IjCOBol7ys
— Seth Petruzelli (@silverbackseth) March 20, 2014
Nice.
@ChadLaprise I didnt even feel it! Literally tho I didnt feel anything I just woke up on the ground like “how did I get here?”
— kajan johnson (@IamRagin) March 20, 2014
@ChadLaprise As are you my friend. I wish you nothing but the best in both your career and your life. I think that was worth 25k dont u?
— kajan johnson (@IamRagin) March 20, 2014
@IamRagin I think so my friend! All the best brother!
— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) March 20, 2014
I guess they can do that.
Hanging out with our pics @bjpenndotcom @ufcgym @ufc http://t.co/XOQMvsQgbt
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) March 21, 2014
Nick Diaz and Mike Pyle are sparring in a room somewhere.
Sorry I missed you @SyndicateMMA Nick, see you next time! “@nickdiaz209: @roynelsonmma pic.twitter.com/yUjIyAUKnj“
— Amanda Lucas (@amandalucasmma) March 21, 2014
Ready for Brazil.
Curtindo Natal!!! Amo amo amo essa terra!!!! LOVE NATAL! LOVE RIO GRANDE DO NORTE ???????? pic.twitter.com/G97pap2QHM
— Jhenny Andrade UFC (@jhennyandrade10) March 20, 2014
Less eye pokes?
Look at the one-of-a-kind #Prototype MMA gloves @Everlast_ designed w/my input…thx guys… pic.twitter.com/VnWvUEqV76
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) March 21, 2014
A little scary.
Got a package delivered to my house today. Looks like the UPS employee is also part of… http://t.co/Z4EyUeKamd
— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) March 20, 2014
Kinda cool. Find anyone’s first tweet. HT to Ariel.
Heading back to Vegas after UFC 95 last night in London. Time to get ready for WEC in Corpus Christi next weekend.
— Dana White (@danawhite) February 22, 2009
Anderson, you are going to be on your back more than a pornstar with a mortgage.
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) May 27, 2010
I’m finally jumping on the twitter bandwagon – damn peer pressure!
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) June 3, 2011
Would have loved to see that.
OHSHIT SITTING IN MY HOTEL ROOM THOUGHT I HEARD A CAT KEPT HEARING IT CHECKED THE HALL CHICK SCREAMING HELP FROM A ROOM BROKE THE DOOR IN
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) March 21, 2014
BATHROOM DOOR MALFUNCTION. I BROKE THAT ONE IN TO!! I GOT TO BREAK DOWN 2 DOORS!!!!! I HAVE VIDEO OF THE FIRST DOOR BUT MGT. SAID PLEASE NO
— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) March 21, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Mar. 20 2014)
Gegard Mousasi vs. Mark Munoz at UFC Fight Night Berlin
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via dpk875.
Top Prospects to Watch this Weekend
Here are some of the better prospects in action this weekend.
I’ve also updated my top 10 HW prospects after three fighters from the list I put out in December have signed with either UFC or WSOF. You can find the updates here.
Tech-Krep FC – 21 Mar – Krasnodar, Russia
HW
Tyler East (11-3) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (20-5)
Age: 24
Height: 6’6
From a sheer physical talent standpoint, East is one of the best HW prospects in the world. He has a wrestling background, outstanding athletic ability and looked to be improving his standup game as he stayed busy back in 2012. What holds him back is a history of Cocaine use, Domestic Violence, and a recent year long stint in prison. Since getting out of prison his only fight ended in no contest, so I really have no clue what to expect out of him here. With all his issues East might not be welcome in any of the major US organizations until he can put up some wins and time in front of his issues. Kharitonov at 33 years old has won two in a row since losing to Josh Barnett in the Strikeforce HW Grand Prix, and could punch his own ticket back to the bigger shows with a win here.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.