First off, I'd like to thank Donna and Beth for inviting me over to GG2MMA to rant on this topic. Michael Rome at my home blog Bloody Elbow has already made the promotional case for booking this fight so I thought I'd focus on analyzing the actual match-up.

First off let me clarify that I think the match should take place either at welterweight (170lbs) or at a catch-weight of 175lbs. While Silva will no doubt come into the cage considerably larger than GSP, I think the ordeal of the weight cutting will help to even things out a bit.

But even if the fight were to be held at 185lbs, I wouldn't consider GSP to be as big an underdog as any of Silva's last three middleweight title challengers: Demian Maia, Thales Leites or Patrick Cote. 

Let's break the fight down into it's component aspects:

Breaking it down aspect by aspect, it would appear to be a classic striker vs grappler match-up.

But this is deceptive. GSP's wrestling is probably the best in MMA, but he has always used it as part of an integrated game plan that makes his stand up far more effective than it would be in a straight kick-boxing bout where his opponent doesn't have to worry about being taken down. According to FightMetric, GSP outscored the three best strikers he's faced -- B.J. Penn, Thiago Alves and Dan Hardy -- on the feet. 

Of course, Anderson Silva is far more dangerous than either Penn, Alves or Hardy. He's faster, has a much longer reach, has far more weapons at his disposal, and hits much harder. But conversely, if you look at Silva's fights against stronger strikers -- I'm thinking Patrick Cote and Lee Murray -- he hasn't been as devastating as he can be against brawlers like Chris Leben or even Rich Franklin. 

And historically, going back to his PRIDE days, when Silva has been beaten it's generally been because he lost the positional battle to aggressive grapplers who put him on his back and kept him there. Clearly it's been a long long time since he faced Daiju Takase or Ryo Chonan, but he can be taken down as his UFC fights with Travis Lutter, Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt and even Thales Leites attest. If those guys can take Silva down, GSP certainly can.

That's why I think this fight will be decided on the ground -- even if it's finished on the feet -- if Silva can ride out GSP's first assault from top position, and even do damage or threaten submissions from his back, then he should take it. If not, GSP will claim the top Pound for Pound fighter honors.

No matter what happens, it's a fight I'd happily kill to see. 

Ah, Jackie.  When she sent us her Dream Fight, we were stoked.  When we saw how it played out, we knew we had to put it up right away. 

Dan Hornbuckle vs. Josh Koschek
 
Why?  Because a silly thing like different promotions shouldn't keep us from seeing talented fighters getting the chance to beat the crap out of each other.
 
What happens?  The fight stays on it's feet, there's no chance for it to go to the ground.
 
Who wins?  Hornbuckle, 1st round KO.  Koscheck totally underestimates him, and ends up being kicked in the head and carried out of the cage just like Gono.   (you said this was a dream fight, right?  I dream of someone doing this to Koscheck. Just once, though - I'm not cruel.)

Photos courtesy of Sherdog.

This week's Dream Fight comes to us from Marje, the super awesome lady who was lucky enough to give birth to the Gals.  She's the one who got us into MMA in the first place, so you have her to thank for this delightful website that brings you so much joy.  You know how awesome you think we are?  Well she's about 80% as awesome as us, which still makes her 324% more awesome than the rest of the world.

Remember kids, this is Dream FIght, so ignore weightclasses, promotions and all that nonsense and focus on skill here.  Also, if you'd like to write a Dream Fight for us, send us an email at galsguidetomma@gmail.com

Who's Fighting? Lyoto Machida and Miguel Angel Torres.

Why? Because Torres is a top WEC fighter, even if he lost his belt, and Machida is still the champ.  Miguel's ground and stand up skills are great, and Machida has no problem standing up and banging .  (Ed. Note - My mother is full of crap.  She has the hots for both of these guys, and she wants to see them roll around together.)
 
What Happens?  Stand up game, for sure.  The bell rings, and puches commence.
 
Who Wins Anyway? No contest.  They both did so well, the judges couldn't pick a winner.  

Who's Fighting? Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio "Minotauro" Nogueira

Why? I know people are dying to see Fedor vs. Lesnar, but I kinda wanna see him take on Nogueira again.  Back in the days of Pride, these guys fought 3 times, with Fedor winning twice and one no contest.  But that was six years ago, and Big Nog is at the top of his game.  I think Nogueira's got what it takes to be the top guy in the Heavyweight division, and I'd love to see a re-match between these two beasts.
 
What Happens?  This one goes straight to the ground, with both guys fighting for submissions.  Wouldn't it be great?  Sambo vs. BJJ, for the win.
 
Who Wins Anyway? Nogueira by decision. (Hey, it is a dream fight)

Photos courtesy of Sherdog.

Anyone who reads our comments knows DrunkenMidget, or Midge as we call him.  He wrote a fabulous little article called What the Hell is Pride, so as a reward, he's been allowed to submit a dream fight.  Let the crazy begin!  (just joking, we love you Midge!)

I know at least Beth loves her BJJ, and I can only assume Donna does too (as all cool kids should) and this would be the definitive BJJ match of the century. Both Middleweights! These two are the best in the world, and have dominated just about everyone they've ever laid their hands on in jiujitsu matches, as well as MMA matches. What makes it so intriguing to me, is that they have waaaay different styles of BJJ. Damien Maia has this beautiful, smooth style where he uses his opponents movement to put them where he wants them. It's like he anticipates where they are going to get away from him (usually cuz he allows them to think they can go there) and puts himself in the best position for where they are going to go. He's a squirrely mother fucker. Then Jacare (Brazilian for Crocodile) has this brutal, powerful style. He forcefully puts you where he wants, when he wants you there. And once he grabs you, you just cant get away. Like a crocodile's jaw. They are polar opposite styles of BJJ, yet both so very lethal with their arts. I'd love to see who would triumph.

That's my dream match. Even more than silva v. Fedor (which yes, is probably #2. Maybe #1.5)

This weeks Dream Fight comes to us from Lizzielovesfighting.  You know what else Lizzie loves?  Gals Guide to MMA, which loves her right back.  Yes, GGMMA is self-aware.

It's a little nerve wracking for me to offer up an opinion on fighting, but as Gals Guide to MMA proves women like MMA and women have opinions about MMA. This is my dream fight and also my opinion about whether MMA needs a super-heavyweight class. I think that Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem would be a good fight. Maybe one of Lesnar's best fights since entering MMA or at least size wise most evenly matched. Obviously he didn't just pop up out of nowhere. He has football and wrestling experience but it seems to me that his MMA fights have been the result of simply being much bigger than anyone he has fought. His only loss was dealt by Frank Mir, a jui jitsu technician. Their second fight Mir was quite simply over whelmed and overcome by Lesnar's obvious size and strength advantage not necessarily his skill as a MMA fighter. Though it is obvious he is getting better with a growing set of skills. I think the Shane Carwin fight would have been an eye opener for Lesnar as Carwin was much closer in size. Also Frank Mir has bulked up quite a bit and if his size and strength match up to Lesnar his skills would far surpass any Lesnar has.
But I digress, back to the dream fight. I think one obnoxious oversized bully deserves another. Alistair Overeem has enjoyed success in both kickboxing and MMA. His skill has grown as well. He has also grown to a freakishly behemouth size in a short period of time. As Michael Schiavello and Ray Sefo noted, "his muscles even have muscles". Overeem is now fighting at 260 and is 6'5" and Lesnar is 6'3" and 265 lbs. There are bigger fighters out there. Hong-Man Choi and Semmy Schilt come to mind, but not two who talk more trash with mostly size to back it up. They are big brash and tough, but also beastly, obnoxious and insufferable.
I think MMA needs a super-heavyweight class to accommodate this size of fighter. They simply have gotten too big for their britches and too big for a fair match-up with most heavyweights. I don't think bulk should win out over skill. I like a fight and like most people, pull for the underdog.
But fighters must have somewhat equal advantages for the match to be interesting or exciting.
Not since Rodan fought Godzilla would there be two opponents dishing out the pain and destruction to one another as Lesnar/Overeem. If they fight true to form it would be an epic battle with probably quite a lot of bloodshed and misery dealt to both.
I will never forget the pummeling that Mir received and personally won't forgive Brock or Herb Dean for not stopping that fight sooner. But that's another story.
We can always hope for the simultaneous knock out, they both obviously have the power. It couldn't happen to two nicer fellas.
Lizzielovesfighting

This week's Dream Fight comes to us from none other than Katie.  She has exquisite taste, which is evidenced by her deep love of Gals Guide to MMA.  Katie is no slouch herself.  Check out her site here.

Who's Fighting? Anderson Silva vs. Fedor Emelianenko (at a catch weight of 215)

Why? These two fighters are argubly the best two pound for pound fighters in MMA.  Anderson's only losses that weren't ref/judge dictated came from submissions, and Fedor is a Sambo champ.  We have seen a small weakness in Fedor's armor when it comes to really technical strikers, and Anderson has exhibited his striking ablitiy with laserbeam accuracy.  It would be entertaining to say the least to have these two completely dominant fighters face off
 
What Happens?  They dance around the Octagon for the first minute of the fight, trying to get a feel for their respective timings. (Yes, this would be in the Octagon, much to Dana's dismay)  Fedor will try to rock Anderson so he can stun him and lock in one of his signature submissions.  Anderson has the upper hand on agility, so he is able to duck and weave his way out of the first round.
 
Who Wins Anyway? Anderson.  He takes advantage of the fact that Fedor is slightly dehydrated due to the weight cut and channels his inner Ninja and nails Fedor with a counter-punch that stuns him.  He knows better than to bring the fight to the ground, so he goes in for the kill giving Fedor the same treatment that he gave our poor Forrest. 
::lights::out::
 

This week's dream fight comes to you straight from Cat Von C, a writer at Middleeasy and all around awesome chick.  She seems to like us, which is a testament to her good taste.  You can follow her twitterings at http://twitter.com/catvonc.

Who's fighting? BJ Penn vs. Shinya Aoki
 
Why? Because Joe Rogan said so...and most of the rest of us.
 
What happens? Aoki attempts to distract BJ Penn with his radioactive, day-glo, and oh so slippery leggings, but BJ eats distractions for breakfast. He quickly gets Aoki to the ground, mounts and goes to work with some sharp elbows and GNP glory.
 
Who wins Anyway? BJ Penn and the power of Kamehameha the Great