Aging action movie star Steven Seagal was Ariel Helwani’s guest of Ariel Helwani The MMA Hour yesterday and it was just what you’d expect.
Seagal, who has been in UFC Middleweight Anderson Silva’s corner and even been credited with Silva’s front kick that finished Vitor Belfort at UFC 126, handicapped the much discussed super fight between Silva and UFC Welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre.
“I think in this situation size matters,” said Seagal. “And I think that Anderson has the distinct advantage not only in size and weight, but also in his skill and his ability. I don’t want to say [Anderson would] run right though him, but I think he will decisively win.”
Seagal also had some critical comments about GSP.
“One of the things that a master looks at when they look at a fighter is the history of the fighter,” he explained. “When you look at the history of the fighter, you look at their very best fights, their best work, and their worst. If you look at Anderson’s worst fights, they’re not bad. He still looks pretty good. If you look at GSP’s worst fight, you look at the thing he did with (Jake) Shields in Canada, that was atrocious.
“I just didn’t think the technique and the fighting skill was there in that instance. I also saw him after the fight and he wasn’t looking or feeling very well either, which does have some meaning. I think he got hurt in that fight and whether he dominated him or not, I just didn’t think he looked good.”
“I think he’s a really nice guy. I think he’s a good fighter and good martial artist. Would I call him great? In my words, no. I just think he’s a wonderful, very good martial artist and good guy,” mused Seagal.
Seagal then turned his tongue to the matter of a potential super fight between Silva and UFC Light Heavyweight champ Jon Jones.
“Jones is really a heavyweight,” Seagal explained. “He’s almost 6-foot-5. I think he’s probably, and I’m guessing, walking around at 230, 235 (pounds). I think he cuts down to make that weight and then by the time he gets into the Octagon he’s put on a tremendous amount of weight, and he’s got all that size, all that strength. His arms are almost twice as long as Anderson’s.
“I think that Anderson is at a tremendous disadvantage physically. Whether he would win or not, I don’t know, but I just think it would be a very difficult fight.”
Finally, Seagal responed to a comment of retired UFC champ Randy Couture that the only fight that would bring him out of retirement would be a bout with Seagal.
“I really have to kind of wonder what his intentions and motivations may have been in saying that. I always thought that Randy was my friend and a gentleman. I’m kind of confused as to why he would say that. All I can say is, I’m here. Anybody can find me anytime and anyplace. If Randy really wants to fight me, he can fight me anytime he wants. It’ll be for free, and it’ll be some place where there are no witnesses.”
“Oh no, I don’t play by rules,” he responded. “That’s not how I fight.
“I’m a man of honor. I’m a gentleman, but I am a warrior. And if he needs to find me, he knows where to find me.”
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