Anderson Silva Next Fight & Broken Leg Recovery News Update: 'Diaz Made a Mistake' Accepting Match, Says Gorges St-Pierre
Commenting on the upcoming fight of Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz, Canadian MMA fighter Georges St-Pierre said that the latter made a mistake in facing the former middleweight champ at 185, Silva's natural weight class.
St-Pierre told MMA Fighting that he would have sided with Diaz if he had been "at a catchweight."
"Because if it is a five-round, Diaz is a very durable fighter. I have seen him in a lot of trouble and he is very, very hard to finish," he added.
St-Pierre further explained that Diaz would really be challenged in facing Silva at 185 but noted that if he can outclass the latter in the early stages of the fight, he can have a chance to beat him.
"I believe that in the early part of the fight that Silva will have an advantage. But if Diaz can survive will weather the storm, I believe he can come back strong at the end, the last part of the fight, maybe the fourth and fifth round," St-Pierre said in the MMA Fighting article, stressing that Diaz is a very "durable" fighter.
As for Silva, St-Pierre said that he can win the fight if he will not be immersed into the type of fight that Diaz wants to happen.
"My game plan when I fought him was to not fall into this because it was important. If I fell into it and get into a slugfest with him, it would have been his fight. I would have fought his fight and he probably would win. You know, he's a scrapper, slugfest, that's when he's at his best," he added.
Silva's big return
In an earlier report by ESPN, UFC president Dana White revealed how excited he is for Silva's comeback fight with Diaz.
"Anderson Silva feels great. He's facing a 13-month layoff -- a lot of fighters are off 13 months before they fight next. He is 100 percent healthy, kicking again and chomping at the bit to get back in the Octagon," White added.
Meanwhile, in an interview with UFC on Fox, Silva admitted that he missed fighting and he is very excited to face Diaz.
"I am very excited to come back because this is my power, this is my energy," he added.
Asked if he wanted to have his belt back, Silva said that he is not really in a rush and that he wants to give his teammates the chance to also win it.
He also explained that fighting Diaz is a great idea from White since it would be a "great fight and story" for the MMA and UFC.
Silva also hinted that he could face returning St-Pierre next if he demolishes Diaz during their next fight.
"It will be an interesting fight," said Silva who also delivered a message for St-Pierre, wishing him good luck for his return.