JAKE PAUL is set to announce UFC legend Anderson Silva as his next opponent in October.
The YouTuber-turned prizefighter was due to return on August 6 until suffering two fight cancelations.
But Paul has reacted fast by scheduling his comeback fight just two months later, which is widely reported to be against Silva.
YouTube reporter Keemstar was first to break the news, with TMZ Sports since following up.
Further reports add the fight will be on October 29, headlining on ShowTime pay-per-view Stateside.
Silva, 48, was released by the UFC in 2020 following five losses in six bouts, three of which on the spin.
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But he has made a successful transition to boxing, having already had a 1-1 record in the ring.
Silva beat former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 36, in June 2021 then knocked out ex-UFC champ Tito Ortiz, 47, in September.
He will become Paul’s first opponent with a recognised boxing record.
The American was twice set to fight Tommy Fury, 23, until the Brit pulled out after suffering an injured rib and then over US visa issues.
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Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, had signed to replace Fury but a weight disagreement with Paul, 25, saw their bout cancelled.
Paul last fought in December, knocking out Fury’s substitute Tyron Woodley, 40, who he had already beat on points four months earlier.
That added to KOs over online rival “AnEsonGib”, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 38.
Silva was mentioned as a replacement for Fury in August but the idea was publicly slammed by Paul’s coach BJ Flores.
Flores responded to a fan who said the Brazilian made sense as an opponent, and said: “Does he? 48 year old MMA fighter.”
Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions banner teased the upcoming fight announcement and labelled him the bookies outsider.
MVP posted: “@jakepaul will almost certainly be the underdog. He knows that and he wants that.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
