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.
IT’S OFFICIAL ✍️
Jake Paul and Anderson Silva are set to fight on Oct. 29 in Phoenix, Arizona, Most Valuable Promotions announced. @ESPNRingside pic.twitter.com/mo9TnMoA3X
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 6, 2022
Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva is a done deal, per sources. Oct. 29. Phoenix. Showtime PPV.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 6, 2022