• UFC 153

White: Erick Silva cost himself victory against Fitch

Erick Silva gassed himself with this rear naked choke attempt against Jon Fitch at UFC 153 © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Big Nog has no plans to retire after UFC 153
  
• News: Jon Jones not interested in Cormier TUF season
  
• News: Anderson Silva embarrasses Bonnar at UFC 153
  
• News: Anderson: St-Pierre easier than Jon Jones
  
• News: White: I guarantee I'll make Silva say 'yes' to Jones
  

UFC president Dana White believes Erick Silva's loss to Jon Fitch at UFC 153 could be his champion-making moment, hinting that the Brazilian cost himself victory in Rio.

Silva is undoubtedly one of the most talented welterweights on the UFC's books, but he dropped a unanimous decision to Fitch after gassing badly in round three.

The first round went to Fitch after he imposed his wrestling on Silva, but the Brazilian responded impressively in round two. However, a submission attempt drained all his energy, and he could barely raise his arms in the final stanza.

"Everybody bitches about [Fitch] laying on people? This is mixed martial arts," White said. "You've got to make it so he doesn't do that to you and for two rounds Erick Silva did that. Erick Silva gassed out.

"It was a big fight in his home country. He gassed out and I am sure he is sitting there right now beating himself up mentally, and he will do that for a few months until he fights again."

Referring to George St-Pierre's defining moment, when he recovered from an initial loss to Matt Hughes in order to become one of the most dominant 170lb champions in UFC history, White said: "We are going to see what Erick Silva is made of. This could be his GSP/Matt Hughes fight or it could mess him up for a long time."

As for the future of Fitch, White suggested that the American better start supporting Carlos Condit in his November 17 title fight with St-Pierre.

"Will he have to go on another eight fight win streak? I don't know. We will see. The hard part about a guy like Fitch, as tough and durable as he is, he fought GSP and it was very one-sided. The best thing that could happen for him is that Carlos Condit wins. He is in a tough spot."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.