I’m all for GSP at #1. We can talk about him getting caught by a punch from Serra, but then we have to talk about Silva getting caught in a triangle choke from Daiju Takase and a flying heel hook from Ryo Chonan.

I think GSP avenged the previous loss well enough to solidify his spot at #1 P4P.

I would actually rank Quentin over GSP because I think victories over Dan Henderson and Chuck Liddell make a better resume than wins over Hughes and Serra.

I think Courture should be somewhere between 8 and 10 because a win over Gonzaga really isn’t anything to write home about as has been proven watching his last few fights and Calvacente lost to Aoki who should in my opinion be a borderline top ten p4p ighter.

I don’t think Faber has really beat anyone worth mentioning, I do thin he’s top ten material, but more like 9 or 10. I mean his biggest fight is against Jens Pulver…yeah.

I think BJ is more like top 5.

Where’s Nogueria? He’s at least in the top 7.

Hughes needs to be dropped, at this point in his career he’s more like top 20.

I agree with the ranking of the Kid, he doesn’t get enough respect.

I think Takanori Gomi and Lyoto Machida should be considered.

So the primary indicator for GSP will of course be his next few fights. But anyone can get knocked out, and that’s exactly what happened. As Serra said, you don’t necessarily need to have better hands to beat someone at stand up.

It’s not always that you get lucky, but along with that, or without it, the right strategy within a pinpoint moment can KTFO of anybody.

“Should victories in title fights be the sole indicator?” Umm sole indicator? I listed 8 things so explain that.”

Zane-
Sam has already explained the first for you once before…
“A fighter’s record is the most relevant statistic, but even that is somewhat subjective. Let’s suppose fight A is 12-1 while fighter B is 9-3. Obviously, A has the better record. He has more wins and a better winning percentage. Does that make him the better fighter? What if Fighter B has fought nothing but top 15 ranked opponents while half of Fighter A’s wins were recorded against fighters outside of the top 20?

Numbers are relevant in some aspects when it comes to fighting, but some of the arguments being made here are rooted too heavily in statistics.’

This argument is mainly the reason why Fedor is under so much scrutiny for the #1 spot. If numbers where the majority then if my math is right 28-1-1 (6 being title fights) is a little better than 21-4. Numbers are part of the equation but who the are against is of equal importance. Kinda like being a big fish in a small pond…you fight champions each win carries greater weight. Between GSP and Silva the younger has had a tougher (at least more professionally recognized) road, with defeating the whole 3 former champions and 3 top 10 contenders.

“Are you trying to say that some fighters purposely try not to finish fights? If so GSP is definitely not one of them so I don’t understand that point.”

This also ties into point number one. If I’m fighting an opponent who is not as strong a contender I can finish them. Yes that is the point of a fight, to bring it to a close. But if we are comparing apples to apples this wouldn’t be an issue, again Silva finishes can at times be on equal ground with a dominated fight if the contender level was equal. You are telling me that a win of Chris Leben, a back yard brawler who has NEVER faced the caliber of fighter in a Silva gets more stock than a decision over BJ Penn a III time World Champion fighter? If you know MMA and you had followed Anderson BEFORE the UFC then you were probably pissed they put him in the ring with him in the first place. You are giving Chris Leben WAAAAY to much credit, yes un-defeated but hella far from ten standings. So yes if you there are times where comparing judge cards and finishes is a part of the game of a fighter. Not every fight can be finished.

GSP gets TKO’d and you tell me to get over it? That sounds like some logical reasoning, discrediting something because it exposes your rankings. The reason why it is significant is because Silva never has been. You tell me to get over it and then you say it is still in question whether GSP has a weak chin, do you not understand the hypocrisy in that?

This is great. First of all, let’s see if you are over Ryo Chonan? Crazy things happen in fights. You get caught. I don’t care if you’re a pro boxer or a sword fencer crazy things happen and if you get hit-or make a mistake THINGS HAPPEN. Flying heel hook? It turned Silva into a highlight reel, he couldn’t tap fast enough. Obviously 1)don’t fight….2)never been hit…or 3)vicariously living your manhood through silva because if you get clipped with a hook aka rabbit punch with 6oz gloves it can stun you. Regardless of the credit he isn’t receiving Serra does throw bombs and was smart enough to FOLLOW UP. The Follow up is what finished GSP not the initial contact, you watch the fight again GSP was hit with a clean 1,2 right after and another 1,2 before he hit the matt all combos landing flush. Matt may not be Mike Tyson, but he fights in the UFC professionally. I wouldn’t stand there and give him a free shot or two..would you? And as Sam put, for him to have a “weak” chin he’d have to be knocked out more than once…Franklin has been knocked out three times…do we need to get him a metal chin guard??

Then you agree Silva is a better finisher but earlier you tried to counter that by saying thats not everyones game, so is it valid or not?

He’s admitting Silva is better finisher….yeah he knocks more guys out. Give you one. That’s not GSP’s game. Gsp finishes in more of a variety in more positions…the thing is Silva is an AWESOME striker and good a BJJ. Gsp is a world class at striking, wrestling, and BJJ. What you’re good at he’s 9 times out of 10 Better.

“And do you honestly believe that Lutter was close to finishing him? I would hardly call them “bombs” because Silva at no point appears dazed or shaken up. So what kind of trouble was he in then? Possibly losing a round? Then to be immature and say if im not aware of that than I don’t know MMA is you being your usual defensive self.”

We’ll stop after this, it just turns into my dad can beat up your dad…
But question do you take BJJ? Wrestle? Pillow fight? Anything that you do that would help you understand where you are position wise when someone mounts you? If so, then you realize that this was a SERIOUS whole for Anderson if he is to be “unbeatable” because for all rights and purposes had that been someone who is a GROUND and POUNDER thats the end game for Andy. Lutter did not capitalize and a 15 sec gap can turn into and upset, much like what happen to GSP. In fact lets use GSP, had a person of his stature been on top of Anderson’s Chest-bad news top control was not used properly nor was he as effective but he WAS dropping bombs and taking punishment. Mind you he did rally out of it, but those positions are what cost you titles.

I have been following Anderson Silva since the days of late Mecca and Shooto. I know what the guy is capable of and how fantastic he is. But just be excellent in part of the game aint enough anymore. While he will dominate for the time being, it is a matter of time that someone pokes at that whole again. Anderson is A+ striker and an A grappler. GSP A- (maybe..really A+) Striker, A Grappler, and A + Wrestler. He’s got more weapons, and he uses them….pretty much that simple.

Personally I think GSP’s wrestling sh*ts all over Silva and he wouldn’t be able to do anything about any double leg takedowns, and I don’t think Silva can submit him off the bottom. So if they fought what would be stopping him from GNPing Silva for 5 rounds, he wouldn’t even need to stand with him for more than 20 seconds each round.

And remember that GSP is very good at advancing his position while doing damage with GNP, I don’t think if it went to the ground that Silva could force a standup.

Don’t get me wrong if the fight stayed standing the whole round I’d have all my money silva knocking him silly, but if anyone has seen silva’s fights with Otsuka, Takase and especially the WHOLE fight with chonan, you can’t say that GSP couldn’t take him down at will