Jake Paul and Anderson Silva came face-to-face for the last time ahead of their fight tonight.
YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul, 25, is in for the toughest test of his newfound boxing career against 47-year-old Silva as they meet in an eight-round fight contracted at 187lb. Paul is unbeaten in five professional fights under his belt since turning whilst Silva has impressed fans by crossing over to the ring since leaving the UFC two years ago.
The fight was in danger of being cancelled just days ago when Silva revealed he had been knocked out twice as he sparring, with former UFC champion later backtracking on the claims by insisting he meant to say knocked down. The Arizona commission were concerned about Silva's health after his comments, but was comfortable about the fight going ahead once he submitted medical examinations and a statement from his trainer.
Paul and Silva appeared in front of fans at the Desert Diamond Arena and upped the intensity of their staredown after being cordial with each other during fight week. The pair locked eyes and even stared off in the iconic pose that Silva went into before all of his UFC fights. Silva said after the staredown: "First of all thank you everybody for coming, I'm so happy to be here and tomorrow I'm going to do my best to make a good show for everyone. Of course I'm going to win, I'm training for that."
Repeating the promise he made before knocking out ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley last December, Paul stated: "I said to [Silva] 'it's my generation, it's my time'. To be a legend you've got to beat a legend. It's time for war, I asked him if he's ready. It's been nice nice nice, it's been sweet sweet sweet. I respect that man but he's trying to take the food off of my plate, he's trying to stop my run. Tomorrow night, guess what? I'm f****ng him up, I'm f****ng him up!"
Who wins - Jake Paul or Anderson Silva? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
Silva opened as a betting favourite when the fight was announced, but the line has since changed as Paul is now backed by the bookies to beat the UFC legend. Paul admitted that Silva is the toughest opponent he's faced so far, stating: "I feel confident in my ability but this is my biggest test, first time fighting and a southpaw. He has the height, reach and is naturally a bit heavier so he has all of the advantages there."
