UFC legend Anderson Silva has refused to engage in Jake Paul 's pre-fight antics by shutting down his tattoo bet.
Paul, 25, looks to extend his unbeaten run to six professional fights when he faces 48-year-old Silva in arguably his toughest challenge to date. The YouTube star often makes pre-fight bets with his opponents and he tried to do the same with Silva, issuing a tattoo challenge to the Brazilian. Before Paul could even finish his sentence about getting a spider tattoo if he loses on October 29, Silva said there's no way he would entertain the bet.
"No no no stop, let me tell them. You don't need to get a spider tattoo, I know you're my fan don't worry," he said. "Stop, come on. I'm your fan too, I'm a big fan but I hate tattoos bro. I hate them, I don't have tattoos. My kids have tattoos and I say 'why do you have that' and they say 'dad you need to get one' and I say 'no no, stop'."
Paul agreed to a tattoo bet with former UFC champion Tyron Woodley before their first fight last August, which Paul went on to win by split decision. Woodley refused to get the tattoo after the fight unless Paul sent him a contract for a second fight, which the two shook hands on in the ring. Woodley fulfilled his end of the deal, getting "I love Jake Paul " tattooed on his finger before the YouTube star knocked him out in their rematch later that year.
Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn was also caught up in Paul's pre-fight bets when they co-promoted Katie Taylor's undisputed fight against Amanda Serrano together. Paul challenged Hearn to a $1million bet, insisting he would the seven-figure sum to Serrano, who is managed by Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, if she won the fight. Hearn backed out of the bet before the fight after being advised that promoters shouldn't bet on their own fights.
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Paul was scheduled to fight Tommy Fury and Hasim Rahman Jr earlier this year, but both of the fights were cancelled. The 25-year-old is relishing the chance to face one of his former idols in Silva, stating: "I'm so excited because now I have a professional who is a real professional, who will make weight and actually show up in the ring. I don't have to worry about doing a whole training camp. He's not scared and he's not a b**** like Tommy and Hasim. I have tried fighting a pro boxer, but they won't get in the ring with me."
