Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.
The boxing match between Jake Paul and Anderson Silva is official.
Paul (5-0, 4 KOs) will fight former UFC middleweight champion Silva (3-1, 2 KOs, boxing) in a pay-per-view main event on October 29 at Gila River Arena in Phoenix, Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions announced Tuesday. Tickets for the event will go on sale September 14 for the card, which will air on Showtime pay-per-view.
An official press release for the fight called Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, an “international superstar and serial risk-taker” and said the matchup with Silva will be “the biggest challenge of his career.”
Paul had fights with Tommy Fury and Hasim Rahman Jr. that fell apart in August. Last week, MVP poked fun at his upcoming fight, saying he’s “almost certainly going to be the underdog.”
Paul and Silva will meet for the first time next week with back-to-back news conferences in Los Angeles on Monday and Phoenix, where the fight will take place, the following day.
Paul, 25, has gotten used to fighting former MMA champions so far, but Silva will be the biggest name yet. He has a knockout of Ben Askren and two wins, one by decision and one by knockout, over Tyron Woodley on his resume. The YouTube star hasn’t fought since he knocked out Woodley in the sixth round in December 2021.
“Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva is the most versatile boxer the world has ever seen,” said Paul. “Just a year ago, he outboxed boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and showed the world why he is often referred to as the greatest boxer of all time.
“Every pundits from MMA to boxing have said that Jake Paul will not fight Anderson Silva. They said that Jake Paul is afraid of Anderson Silva, and that Jake Paul would lose to Anderson Silva. Well, for all you non-believers: Jake Paul is fighting Anderson Silva.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to share the ring with the best UFC striker of all time. On Saturday, October 29, I will humbly walk to the ring, touch gloves with a living legend, and do my best to exterminate ‘The Spider.’
Silva won two boxing matches in 2021, first taking a split decision from Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. after eight rounds before knocking out former UFC champion Tito Ortiz in just 1:22. Silva also looked formidable in an exhibition fight against Bruno Machado in May.
Silva’s performance against Machado even provoked a reaction from Paul.
“I know that everything in life has its purpose,” Silva said. “Nothing happens by chance. So I thank God for my health, my family and my team for giving me this opportunity to continue doing what I love most.
“I think this is going to be the biggest combat event of the year and really make history in the sport forever.”
Paul’s business partner, MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, said that Paul continues to improve his game, and that Silva is the type of opponent who can beat Paul.
“Jake Paul continues to take on challenges that other professional fighters at his level of experience and popularity never have,” said Bidarian, a former UFC employee. “Jake appreciates the platform he has and always aims to provide fans with a compelling product that drives engagement.
“Anderson Silva is unequivocally the most exciting forward in UFC history. Those skills have translated into his professional boxing career, and he certainly has the ability to end Jake’s undefeated streak.
“Most Valuable Promotions is honored to have one of the GOATs in combat sports headlining our event. He’s already a Hall of Famer in our books.”
