GLENDALE, Ariz. – Anderson Silva has no excuses for his loss to Jake Paul.
Silva, a former longtime UFC middleweight champion, dropped a unanimous decision to Paul in Saturday’s Showtime boxing headliner at Desert Diamond Arena. It was a competitive fight, but a knockdown by Paul in Round 8 locked in his victory on the scorecard, moving the YouTuber to 6-0 in his boxing career.
“The Spider” said tactical errors led to his defeat, adding that Paul was simply the superior man in the ring.
“Jake was better than me today,” Silva told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the post-fight news conference. “I tried to put on my strategy. … I don’t find my distance, and I failed in my strategy, and Jake better than me. That’s it.”
Silva said he “didn’t feel the knockdown” that Paul landed to change the complexion of the fight. He didn’t make any crucial mistake up to that point, but the 47-year-old will be the first to admit he’s not without flaws.
“I talked to my coach like, ‘I don’t believe it. I trained so hard not to be in the same stupid position,'” Silva said. “But I’m human. I’m superhero, but sometimes my half human fail.”
Despite his disappointment, Silva said he’s not one to cause a stink about the outcome. He was proposed the idea of a rematch, and while he didn’t shut it don’t, he made it clear he’s not one to beg.
“I know I lost,” Silva said. “I know I failed in my whole strategy, and my opponent win. I’m not the same as the other guys that fight with Jake, like, ‘Oh, I need revenge. I need rematch.’ Let’s see what happens. Maybe. I don’t know.”
For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.
