Music: {allcanada} Silva-GSP fight unlikely

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

{allcanada} Silva-GSP fight unlikely

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva says it's unlikely that he will fight welterweight title-holder Georges St-Pierre, unless the Canadian moves up to his weight class.

The two are seen as the top pound-for-pound fighters in mixed martial arts, with Silva ruling the 185-pound division and St-Pierre the man at 170 pounds.

Fans have long pondered a superfight between the two champions, possibly at a catchweight somewhere between their two weight classes.

But Silva (26-4) shot that down Tuesday, saying he planned to stay at 185 pounds.

"If you want to beat me up, make weight and come fight me in my category, my division," Silva said through his manager-interpreter Ed Soares on a media conference call to promote UFC 117.

St-Pierre (20-2) has said he is not averse to moving up to 185 pounds, although he would want to take his time so he could put the extra pounds on properly.

Silva's stance would also nix a possible fight with light-heavyweight champion Mauricio (Shogun) Rua, even though Silva has fought at 205 pounds in the past.

The middleweight champion, who has been accused of being disengaged in recent title defences, denied he was bored by the middleweight ranks.

"I like my sport, I like my weight division and I'm prepared to stay in my weight division," said Silva, who has won all 11 of his UFC fights.

The Brazilian said he wants to retire fighting at 185 pounds.