• UFC

Anderson Silva insists St-Pierre fight 'must happen'

ESPN staff
April 24, 2011
Anderson Silva wants to fight Georges St-Pierre © Getty Images
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Anderson Silva has admitted he sees little point in facing Yushin Okami at UFC Rio, but he does insist that a superfight with Georges St-Pierre "has to happen".

Silva is preparing for a ninth defence of his UFC middleweight crown against Okami, who was the last person to afflict defeat on the Brazilian. However, that loss was due to Silva delivering an illegal upkick that knocked Okami out, and The Spider sees no point revisiting old ground.

"I really have no interest in getting revenge against Yushin Okami," Silva told Fighting Words. "We already fought. He lost. He got knocked out. Let's move on.

"But really, I'm in here to fight the best, and if he's credentialed to fight me, and he's up there to get a title shot, then he deserves it, and we've got to do it."

Silva appears more interested in the long-awaited superfight with welterweight champion St-Pierre, who takes on Jake Shields at UFC 129 next week. Wins for both St-Pierre and Silva would once again open up the very real possibility of a pound-for-pound decider.

"Georges St-Pierre is one of the best," Silva said. "He's shown that he's a great athlete, and I really train hard every day to fight the best. I do believe it's a superfight, and it's a fight that must happen someday.

"It really is a great superfight. I'm just happy that I know people are looking forward to watching this. I think this fight will make the fans happy. It's something they've been waiting for, and Georges St-Pierre is one of the best. I'll be very happy to give this pleasure to all my fans."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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