Let's stop talking GSP-Silva until, and only if, Georges St-Pierre does in fact defeat Jake Shields.
The results from UFC 126, specifically victories by middleweight champion Anderson Silva and light heavyweight phenom Jon Jones, have sent the MMA world into a tailspin.
The Spider's highlight-reel kick knockout of Vitor Belfort has solidified one half of the super-fight with welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, while Jones was awarded a title shot vs. 205-pound kingpin Mauricio Rua, a bout for which Jones has opened up as a favourite with the odds makers.
To both of these points, I say "hold on" and let's not jump the gun here.
Many fans and media alike appear to be discounting GSP's next opponent, Jake Shields, a more than capable welterweight who can shock the world should he be able to put Georges on his back.
While some are taking him lightly, the champ is not. In fact, he knows full well the ramifications that come with under estimating an opponent.
Shields will be training with the likes of not only Nick and Nate Diaz, but studs like Gilbert Melendez, Ben Askren and Chael Sonnen. He will be ready to nullify St-Pierre's boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and submission game.
May I suggest you do not base your analysis on Jake's last bout vs. Martin Kampmann, but instead, take a look at his full body of work.
It's far too easy to assume that because on paper GSP should outclass his American opponent, then in reality this is what will happen. I am the first to say that yes, St-Pierre will find a way to beat Shields, but it will not be easy.
In fact, many of my American peers in the media are adamant, that Shields will "expose" Captain Canada, with the majority proudly proclaiming that Shields will submit him within three rounds.
While I disagree, any talk of GSP vs. Silva later this year, at the Rogers Centre in Toronto or Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, should give way, at least, until the UFC 129 post-fight press conference.
| UFC in Toronto Tuesday Feb. 8 schedule | |||
| What? | When? | Where? | |
| GSP/Hominick on Andrew Krystal show | 6:40 a.m. ET | Listen on Sportsnet Radio FAN 590 | |
| UFC 129 press conference | 1 p.m. ET | Watch on Sportsnet/sportsnet.ca | |
| Live chats on sportsnet.ca | 1, 4 p.m. ET | Chat on sportsnet.ca | |
| UFC fighter autographs | 4 p.m. ET | Rogers Centre (open to public) | |
| UFC fighter Q&A | 5 p.m. ET | Rogers Centre (open to public) | |
As for Bones Jones opening up as a favourite vs. Shogun ... really? I am slightly surprised with the bookies.
During our live UFC 83: St-Pierre vs. Serra II pre-fight show, I introduced Jones as the future of the 205-pound weight class, and have always maintained he would be a champion one day.
In fact, when Shogun defeated Lyoto Machida for the title last year, I stated the only man who will defeat him would in fact be Jon Jones -- but I stated sometime in 2012.
The two are now slated to square off in the main event at UFC 128, Saturday, March 19, in Newark, N.J. I like the fight, but I wonder aloud if it's simply too early in Jones' career?
Shogun's resume speaks for itself, while the challenger's past opponents pale in comparison to those who the Brazilian has decimated.
While the list includes names like Ryan Bader, Brandon Vera and Stephan Bonnar, "Bones" has yet to face the calibre of opponents Rua has defeated, which includes Machida (twice really), Quinton (Rampage) Jackson and many more.
I would much rather have seen him continue to work his way up the light-heavyweight ladder, and defeat the likes of Machida, Rampage, Thiago Silva or Forrest Griffin, to solidify his title shot. But the aforementioned are all tied up with upcoming bouts and Griffin is very sore after Saturday's fight with Rich Franklin, so its easy to understand why the UFC's hand was forced to make this match-up.
Can the youngster defeat the champ? Absolutely he can, but should he be a favourite, even with Shogun's layoff from action? I tend to lean towards "no."
But, in the mythical world of MMA's "what ifs," Jones will be the champ in March, GSP vs. Silva will happen in Dallas, and I'll look back at this article and say I was wrong.
Or will I?
