After UFC 158, we all know GSP (24-2 MMA) has a number one contender waiting in the wings in Johny Hendricks (15-1 MMA). His hand is reportedly not broken and he wants GSP in August. Then in July, Anderson Silva (33-4 MMA) will defend his middleweight title against Chris Weidman (9-0 MMA) at UFC 162. Weidman has already made it clear that he plans on being the spoiler as Dana White said this past Saturday.
“I talked to Chris Weidman myself. Guy looks me right in the eye and says, ‘I’m telling you, I apologize that I’m going to f*** up all your superfights.”
We all can’t forget that Jon Jones name has been thrown around with Anderson Silva as well. I see Jones defeating Chael Sonnen, but there are so many top names waiting for the next shot at light heavyweight that the potential Jones/Silva superfight is so far in the future. The Silva/GSP fight is looming around the corner, but the “new breed” is waiting in the wings to collapse the UFC’s plans on a superfight.
Johny Hendricks got the shaft and should have been in the main event this past Saturday. Instead, he went in and beat a guy some consider one of the best in Carlos Condit.
Hendricks and Condit stole the show from GSP/Diaz in my opinion and also received the FOTN bonus. Hendricks has the hands (left hand hay maker) to knock out GSP, and possibly the wrestling defense to stay off his back.
Hendricks has had problems with wrestlers like Mike Pierce (split decision win) and Rick Story (only loss), so to think he wouldn’t have a problem with GSP is just ridiculous. Ever since GSP was defeated by Matt Serra in 2007 at UFC 69 he has become what some consider a “safe” fighter.
He has only finished Matt Hughes and Serra (in their rematch), plus a corner stoppage in the Penn fight. GSP is the most dominate fighter in the welterweight division and possibly the UFC. He has beat top wrestlers like Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck, but so has Hendricks.
And the best part is, Hendricks did it on his feet. Hendricks has finally earned his title shot and I’m sure will take it very seriously and deliver a great fight for his camp and the fans.
Chris Weidman has a chance to ruin the UFC’s plans before Hendricks gets his shot. So many people are already on the Weidman bandwagon, but I never doubt Silva. He is the master at ruining anybodies plans, besides the UFC’s.
Silva is getting old and knows he only has a certain amount of fights left in him, and you can bet Weidman won’t have an easy fight come July. Weidman is no joke with a complete training camp, but it’s Anderson Silva.
I do believe the changing of the guard is slowly approaching. I can see both Weidman and Hendricks playing the role as spoiler, but does that mean the superfight talk is done? Weidman told Dana White if he beats Silva he would be willing to offer a rematch At Madison Square Garden.
As interesting as a rematch would be (depending on the results of the first fight) the UFC could still put together a superfight with a loss on Silva or GSP’s end. I just don’t see it being that marketable if one or both of the fighters were coming off losses.
~ Final Thought ~
I think everyone is stuck on Weidman because he hasn’t lost yet. Everyone is indestructible until they lose. Everyone thought Chris Leben was the next big thing until the Silva train derailed that plan.
Don’t get me wrong, I think Weidman has a better chance at beating Silva than Chael did, and Weidman has the potential to actually finish him as well. Weidman will need to break Silva early and knock him to the ground to have a chance.
I personally see Silva finishing Weidman in the second round via TKO, but only time will tell. If Silva and GSP both win their fights, I could see GSP stalling out once again. GSP has already said he thinks Weidman will finish Silva. I think GSP is hoping Weidman will finish Silva so he doesn’t have to fight “The Spider.” The truth is, GSP should be worrying more about Hendricks’ left hand than a fight with Silva.