Mailbag: From 'Cyborg' to Couture, readers voice their opinions

Anderson Silva (above) refuses to fight friend and UFC light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida. AP Josh Gross's Mailbag Submit a comment or question for Josh. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

With a little more than a week remaining in what has been a wild month in mixed martial arts -- both in and out of the cage -- SI.com readers aren't short on opinions or questions. From the heavyweight legends and 185-pound contenders on the UFC's upcoming card in Portland, Ore., to the thought of Anderson Silva moving up two weight divisions has readers curious, perplexed and somewhat annoyed. After Cris "Cyborg" Santos demolished Gina Carano at Strikeforce, several SI.com loyalists were left wondering whether the new champ deserved to be ranked among the 10 best fighters in the world, regardless of weight -- and gender.

You asked. I answered.

Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira should have fought years ago. But at least we're getting to see them now before they retire. How do you see it going down Saturday in Portland?
-- Jack P., Boise

Five weeks prior to losing to Frank Mir last December, Nogueira was forced into a hospital bed with staph infection. After the fight, he underwent a long-overdue knee surgery. Were these the reasons he appeared so sluggish and slow against Mir? Or had all those wars in the ring finally caught up to him? Nine months ago, Couture was pummeled by Brock Lesnar. At the age of 46, has "The Natural" finally turned mortal?

So many questions surround these fighters, but what we do know is that the 33-year-old Brazilian has been a serviceable striker throughout his career. He likes to box. He's slow, but he can throw a decent combination. Same with Couture. I don't see a distinct advantage for either guy on the feet.

My hope is it turns into a ground war because both men are at their best on the canvas -- though their approaches are totally different.

Pay attention to a couple of things if it hits the floor: Should Nogueira take Couture down and hold him there, the Brazilian will greatly increase his chances of winning. However, if Nogueira is forced to fight from the bottom, even with that world famous guard of his, I can't imagine the aging former Pride champion having much success without getting mashed into a bloody pulp.

My gut says Nogueira. My head says Couture.

Demian Maia or Nate Marquardt? Who wins and why?
-- Felix, Colorado Springs

Love this middleweight fight at UFC 102.

I'm picking Marquardt, who's a huge step up in competition for Maia. Nate's physical presence, well-roundedness and, most importantly, his submission-fighting experience should be enough to diffuse Maia's otherworldly Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

If not, Maia will have made a huge statement in the division, setting up a major fight against Dan Henderson or possibly a title shot versus Silva.

Podcast: Gross Point Blank Listen to this week's episode of Josh's podcast, with Bas Rutten and talk of the upcoming UFC 102 card. Gross Point Blank Archive | Find on

What does Brock Lesnar need to do to shut people up? I mean the guy has gotten better in every fight and he gets booed cause he uses his "size and strength" to his advantage. Isn't that the idea, to use your strengths to your advantage? People need to realize he's one of the best and get off his back. Though something tells me he doesn't really care what everyone thinks, and that's a good thing.
-- Frank, Erie, Pa.

Handling Shane Carwin in November will go a long way in quieting critics.

Before Anderson Silva leaves 185, shouldn't he first exhaust all efforts for a superfight with G.S.P.? I realize that the weight difference may be too great -- Silva not being able to go below 185 and G.S.P. not walking around much heavier than 185 -- but it would be the biggest blockbuster fight in MMA. Or are heavyweights that much greater of a main stream draw to dwarf any potential payout from a St. Pierre-Silva fight?
-- Dan, Kansas City

That would be ideal, but Georges St. Pierre hasn't expressed much interest in moving up in weight. And I'm not sure Anderson could make a catchweight of 180 anymore, presuming that's what the fight called for.

G.S.P.-Silva is a special bout that would do huge business. Same with Lesnar-Silva, so long as Anderson lays down the framework with one or two wins at heavyweight.

Which draw is better?

Tight call, but if Anderson proves he can hang at heavyweight, a fight with Lesnar is the box-office smash. That said, a highly unscientific poll on my Twitter page (@SI_JoshGross) indicated most fans were more interested in seeing Silva fight G.S.P. than the UFC heavyweight champ.