47-year-old MMA icon Anderson Silva dropped his exhibition opponent and remains the perfect foil for Jake Paul
Getty/Mike Ehrmann
- Veteran fighter Anderson Silva excelled in another exhibition bout.
- The Brazilian MMA icon got the better of Bruno Machado at an Abu Dhabi event in UAE.
- Silva, 47, would be the perfect foil for Jake Paul, 25.
The 47-year-old MMA icon Anderson Silva dropped his exhibition opponent Saturday, and remains the perfect foil for YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
Silva competed against Bruno Machado at an unofficial Abu Dhabi combat sports show that took place inside the emirate's recently built Etihad Arena.
Though no result was declared after eight rounds, Silva dominated the affair thanks to his strike variety, punch combinations, and countering.
Silva's ability to flurry, by throwing an abundance of shots to the body and then the head, was on display in the fifth, and a gem of a hook to the jaw yielded a knockdown for the veteran fighter.
As the bout made its way past the middle stage it was increasingly clear that Silva was superior in many departments including activity, accuracy, and ring IQ.
His opponent Machado even seemed timid — apparently shy to pull the trigger in case it had the adverse effect of initiating a counter combo from Silva.
By the end, Silva had done more than enough to win but because of the nature of exhibitions, no actual winner was declared.
See highlights right here:
—Abu Dhabi Calendar (@InAbuDhabi) May 21, 2022
A boxing exhibition between Floyd Mayweather and Don Moore topped the event — one that had been postponed for a week following the death of UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Silva's performance was notable because it is further proof that he is thriving in his post-UFC career.
But his biggest post-UFC match may be on the horizon because between his abilities in the exhibition space, combined with his name power, he could be the ideal opponent for Paul, 25.
Paul has a burgeoning novice boxing record of five wins (four knockouts) but is yet to fight an actual boxer in the boxing ring.
Silva would be, by far, Paul's toughest opponent to date.
Seemingly reacting to Silva's performance, it is a challenge he may not rule out.
He posted this tweet Saturday:
—Jake Paul (@jakepaul) May 21, 2022
Accompanied with yawning emojis to suggest he's bored of Silva's fighting, Paul posted a shopped photograph that showed him in an exterminator's outfit in front of a van with a spider on it.
It is likely a reference to Silva's nickname: Spider.
Paul recently told Insider that he intends to return to the ring in the summer. It is unclear if he'll fight Silva, or look elsewhere.