Jake Paul has announced he will face UFC legend Anderson Silva in his sixth professional outing in Phoenix, Arizona on October 29.
The YouTube star had planned to fight at Madison Square Garden in early August against Tommy Fury but the fight was shelved with the Briton banned from entering the US. Paul then drafted in replacement opponent Hasim Rahman Jr but he elected to cancel the fight with his opponent looking unlikely to make their agreed catchweight.
Paul had previously considered a fight with Silva when the former UFC champion defeated Bruno Machado in his most recent ring outing and also revealed he idolised his rival during his top-level career in the UFC. The fight will be held at 187lb over eight rounds.
"It is an honour to be in there with the legendary Anderson Silva, although, I'm going to knock him out in under five rounds," Paul said in a video posted to social media. He revealed he will come face to face with Silva at two press conferences to be held next week.
Silva has a 2-0 record in boxing having defeated Machado and former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr since stepping into the squared circle. Paul so far has fought limited opposition, taking on fellow content creator AnEson Gib whom he dispatched in quick-fire fashion before recording another highlight reel KO against Nate Robinson.
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He later KO'd former MMA standout Ben Askren before twice taking on former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, outpointing his rival in their first meeting before knocking him out in the sixth round of their rematch last December.
He later KO'd former MMA standout Ben Askren before twice taking on former UFC champion Tyron Woodley, outpointing his rival in their first meeting before knocking him out in the sixth round of their rematch last December.
