[ad_1]
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Jake Paul’s inexplicable boxing résumé now features a win over one of many biggest MMA fighters of all time.
Paul, the YouTube-star-turned-prizefighter, beat former longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva by unanimous determination (77-74, 78-73, 78-73) Saturday evening right here at Desert Diamond Area. The bout was very aggressive, however Paul pulled away late and sealed the victory by dropping Silva within the eighth spherical with a proper hand.
Paul described beating Silva, somebody he was an enormous fan of as a child, as “surreal.”
“He was my idol rising up,” Paul stated. “He impressed me to be nice.”
This was the hardest matchup up to now for Paul, the 25-year-old social media maven. Silva is 47 years previous however had strong boxing performances, together with a win over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., after leaving the UFC in 2020.
Paul (6-0) now owns victories over three UFC fighters: Silva, former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley (two wins, together with a knockout) and Ben Askren.
Afterward, Paul referred to as out one other UFC luminary: Nate Diaz, who was in attendance supporting his teammate Chris Avila, who competed on the undercard. Diaz and his workforce and members of Paul’s workforce had an altercation backstage with drinks flying in each instructions earlier within the evening. Diaz grew to become a free agent after his struggle final month at UFC 279.
“Nate Diaz, cease being a b—- and struggle me,” Paul stated.
Silva began sturdy with some classic “Spider” moments, together with dropping his arms and egging Paul on within the second spherical. Silva threw loads of good combos, however Paul took many on his gloves.
The center rounds had been very tight with Silva getting a short second wind. Paul landed arduous photographs within the late rounds as Silva was clearly drained. And within the eighth, Paul clipped Silva with a proper, dropping him, on the finish of a mixture.
“Jake was higher than me at the moment,” Silva stated. “I’ve nothing dangerous to say about my opponent.”
Paul’s transfer into boxing would not appear to be slowing down any time quickly. And now the polarizing pugilist has a win over a fight sports activities icon on his file in addition, albeit one effectively previous his prime.
“If I had been strolling on water, individuals would say that I am unable to swim,” Paul stated. “So there’s at all times gonna be haters, there’s at all times gonna be critics.”
In an undercard bout, former UFC fighter Uriah Corridor beat former NFL star Le’Veon Bell by way of unanimous determination (40-36, 40-36, 40-36) in a four-round bout. Each males had been making their professional boxing debuts, although Corridor is a 17-year professional MMA fighter.
“That is the hardest sport on the earth, and I provide you with a lot props,” Corridor stated in his postfight interview. “I am happy with you, man. … He undoubtedly stunned me. He is fairly good.”
Bell, 30, knocked out fellow former NFL working again Adrian Peterson in an exhibition bout final month. The Ohio native is a former All-Professional and Professional Bowler within the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, amongst different groups.
Corridor, a 38-year-old Jamaican-born fighter who lives and trains in Dallas, is tied for essentially the most knockouts in UFC middleweight historical past (8). He retired from the UFC final August. Afterward, Corridor referred to as out Paul for a struggle.
“I am the dude that is gonna come out right here and expose him,” Corridor stated. “If Anderson [Silva] would not do it, I am gonna be the one to f— you up.”
Source link