While the ‘UFC On FOX 5’ card on Saturday night was a good one, the big talking point in the world of combat sports this weekend was the brutal KO Juan Manuel Marquez handed Manny Pacquiao in their fourth encounter in the boxing ring.
One devastating right hand from Marquez has essentially sent a long-talked about superfight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr, which would have been one of the biggest and most lucrative fights in history, down the plughole.
Watching the fight on Saturday night was UFC head honcho Lorenzo Fertitta who could help but see the cautionary tale the result provided for his own company.
“Gotta strike when the iron is hot boxing! Lost manny/Floyd 4ever. #gspvssilva #silvavsbones #superfights!” Fertitta wrote on Twitter.
As things stand the UFC could yet have to suffer the same consequences, with GSP now expected to fight Nick Diaz next in 2013, while Jon Jones will take on Chael Sonnen.
While the odds favor both champions to make successful defenses on their titles, nothing is certain in this sport and it’s a gamble that they may live to regret.
Clearly Fertitta knows this – but the question is whether he can do anything about it? In the end it’s down to the fighters – if GSP won’t accept Silva’s challenge, and Silva continues to be coy about his desire to fight Jones then it’s only a matter of time before a spanner is thrown in the works.
