Next Big Thing
12-18-2010, 09:18 AM
From a promoter's and maybe even a fan perspective, would it make more sense and earn the UFC more money to do GSP vs. Sonnen before GSP vs. Silva?
Considering the fact that GSP has never fought at middleweight, would a test against a guy like Sonnen first make more sense than jumping up to fight the greatest middleweight of all time?
Sonnen's wrestling is very good so it would be interesting to see how GSP would fare taking him down/ defending his takedowns. Also, Sonnen rocked Silva early in their first fight so there could be some interesting striking matches as well. Plus, although Sonnen talks a lot of shit, he's not as so proud as to not do what would work to win against GSP.
In terms of selling that fight, if they do it in Montreal a lot of money would be made at the gate anyways. I think people would buy the PPV just to see GSP's first fight at middleweight. Plus, Sonnen's shit talking goes beyond the stupid, sophmoric shit Koscheck says and GSP/ Canada would be good fodder for him.
If GSP wins it would go a long way in silencing the doubters as to whether he could compete at middleweight and make people clamor even more for GSP/ Silva. Plus, everyone would love to see the good guy beat the shit out of Sonnen. If GSP loses, especially in a convincing fashion, it spares the UFC the embarrassment of hyping a superfight that didn't live up to the hype. It would also make Sonnen a bigger star and Silva v. Sonnen II could do much bigger numbers.
Considering the fact that GSP has never fought at middleweight, would a test against a guy like Sonnen first make more sense than jumping up to fight the greatest middleweight of all time?
Sonnen's wrestling is very good so it would be interesting to see how GSP would fare taking him down/ defending his takedowns. Also, Sonnen rocked Silva early in their first fight so there could be some interesting striking matches as well. Plus, although Sonnen talks a lot of shit, he's not as so proud as to not do what would work to win against GSP.
In terms of selling that fight, if they do it in Montreal a lot of money would be made at the gate anyways. I think people would buy the PPV just to see GSP's first fight at middleweight. Plus, Sonnen's shit talking goes beyond the stupid, sophmoric shit Koscheck says and GSP/ Canada would be good fodder for him.
If GSP wins it would go a long way in silencing the doubters as to whether he could compete at middleweight and make people clamor even more for GSP/ Silva. Plus, everyone would love to see the good guy beat the shit out of Sonnen. If GSP loses, especially in a convincing fashion, it spares the UFC the embarrassment of hyping a superfight that didn't live up to the hype. It would also make Sonnen a bigger star and Silva v. Sonnen II could do much bigger numbers.