MMA

JAKE PAUL floored Anderson Silva on the way to securing the most impressive win of his fledgling boxing career.The YouTuber-turned boxer bettered Silva on points in Arizona, scoring a knockdown in the eighth and final round.
Jake Paul dropped Anderson SilvaCredit: EPA
Jake Paul beat Anderson Silva on pointsCredit: Reuters
Paul was awarded a unanimous decision with scores of 77-74 and 78-73, twice as he defeated his idol-turned rival.
He said: “It’s a surreal moment. Hard work pays off. First and foremost, I want to say thank you to Anderson.
“He was my idol growing up. He inspired me to be great. He was the first celebrity I ever met.
“Without him, we wouldn’t have had a fight this year. He’s a tough mofo. A legend. I have nothing but respect for him.
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“This just goes to show that anyone watching at home, chase your dreams. It’s never too late.
“I started boxing two-and-a-half years ago as a pro and just beat one of the greatest ever because I’m obsessed with this.
“I go so hard every single day. Nothing can get in my way. No distractions.”
The opening round was a cagey affair with Paul, 25, starting as the aggressor, pawing out his jab and lining up right hands to the body.
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Silva, 47, shipped a couple of right hooks but remained relaxed and came on late with an onslaught in the corner.
The Brazilian came out the traps in the second round and scored with a lead uppercut.
Paul looked flustered in spells as he was forced to cover up, which sparked some trademark showboating from Silva.
The self-proclaimed “Problem Child” began the third round on the back foot having to defend from the pressure coming his way.
He reacted well by firing in left hooks but Silva again had his younger opponent covering up in the corner but staying composed.
The UFC icon kept up the momentum in round five and the lead right uppercut continued to be his honey shot.
Anderson Silva takes a left hook from Jake PaulCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Anderson Silva puts the pressure on Jake PaulCredit: Reuters
Jake Paul lands a right hand on Anderson SilvaCredit: EPA
Although in the sixth, Paul seemed to swing the pendulum back in his favour with some telling left and right hooks, even leaving Silva bloodied.
The South American superstar put his foot on the gas in the seventh but it drew a good response.
Paul fired off a three-punch combination, finishing with his right hand, and began to sense the fight was his.
On the other hand, Silva seemed to know he had to do something big to salvage the fight.
But his eagerness saw him hit the canvas as he rushed in, leaving Paul to counter with a right hand.
It saw Silva on the seat of his pants and staring defeat in the face.
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He continued to pressure Paul until the final bell but the last-gasp knockdown proved more than enough to seal the victory on the cards.
The social media sensation moves to 6-0 and leaves Glendale with the best win of his career.
Jake Paul after dropping Anderson SilvaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Anderson Silva was dropped in the final roundCredit: EPA
Jake Paul celebrates his winCredit: Reuters More

JAKE PAUL warned Anderson Silva that it is his time to shine ahead of the biggest fight of his life. The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona, in his first bout in ten months.
Jake Paul and Anderson Silva face off for the final timeCredit: Getty
And he has enjoyed a pleasant build up with Silva – the man he once looked up to – but it has been a story of idol-turned rival for Paul.
He roared: “I said to him ‘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 swet 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.
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“Tomorrow night, guess what? I’m f****ng him up, I’m f****ng him up!”
Paul, 25, hit the scales at 186.5lb, under the agreed upon catchweight with Silva, who came in at 186.1lb.
The Brazilian said: “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 fight.”
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Paul’s five prior wins all came around the 190lb mark and he wanted to return at 185lb but Silva negotiated a compromise of 187lb.
The American has come down in weight as he eyes a shock run at the light-heavyweight title of 175lb.
He last fought in December, knocking out Tyron Woodley, 40, four months after beating the ex-UFC champion on points.
That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, also 38.
Jake Paul and Anderson Silva ahead of their fightCredit: Getty More

JAKE PAUL will wear specially-made “snooze” boxing gloves after predicting a knockout victory over UFC legend Anderson Silva. The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona for his first bout in ten months.
Jake Paul’s boxing gloves to fight Anderson Silva
And he vowed to make up for lost time with a career-best victory over Brazilian icon Silva.
He said: “Knock him out before round five – that’s my prediction and I strong, strongly believe in that.
“Respectfully knock him out. With love and grace and a kiss.”
Paul is set to play up to his words by wearing a pair of custom-made Grant gloves with “ZZZ” written on them.
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The fight was made official after the American scaled 186.5lb with Silva coming in at 186.1lb.
Paul has come down in weight as he eyes a shock run at the light-heavyweight title of 175lb.
He last fought in December, knocking out Tyron Woodley, 40, four months after beating the ex-UFC champion on points.
That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, also 38.
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Woodley only filled in on under two weeks’ notice after Tommy Fury, 23, pulled out of his grudge match against Paul with a rib injury.
The celeb mega-fight was rescheduled for August in New York – but that was soon KOd when Fury suffered US visa issues.
Heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed as a substitute, only for lightning to strike twice, this time due to a weight disagreement.
But it has paved the way for Paul to return against Silva, who has four wins and one loss in the boxing ring.
Anderson Silva ahead of his fight with Jake PaulCredit: Esther Lin More

JAKE PAUL revealed Dana White is the reason he is fighting UFC legend Anderson Silva. The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona for his first bout in ten months.
Anderson Silva and Jake Paul ahead of their fight
UFC president Dana White has feuded with Jake PaulCredit: Getty
It will be his third opponent formerly of the UFC, following knockout wins over Ben Askren, 38, and Tyron Woodley, 40, last year.
But UFC president White claimed last year that Paul would not dare challenge Brazilian icon Silva.
He said: “I f***ing guarantee you this, you ain’t gonna see Jake Paul calling Anderson Silva out.
“That I f***ing promise you. He’s his size, and he’s actually good. He’s old, which is what Jake Paul looks for, he likes to fight old guys.”
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But Paul wanted to prove his promotional rival wrong and claimed White feels threatened by him.
He said: “I think it’s because I’m the No1 figurehead that is exposing his business model and how much of a shark he is and how poorly he treats his fighters.
“He said I wouldn’t fight Anderson Silva, who is one of UFC’s greats, and now here I am fighting him.
“And he largely, in part, promoted that. He’s the reason why I took this fight… it’s to prove him wrong and shut him the hell up.”
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Paul last fought in December, knocking out Woodley, 40, four months after beating the ex-UFC champion on points.
That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA star Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Askren.
Woodley only filled in on under two weeks’ notice after Tommy Fury, 23, pulled out of his grudge match against Paul with a rib injury.
The celeb mega-fight was rescheduled for August in New York – but that was soon KO’d when Fury suffered US visa issues.
Heavyweight Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, signed as a substitute, only for lightning to strike twice, this time due to a weight disagreement.
Paul’s return against Silva was briefly thrown into doubt when the UFC great claimed he was knocked out TWICE in sparring.
The MMA icon – speaking at the open workout – later clarified that his quotes were lost in translation and he was only joking.
But the Arizona commission reacted by organising a meeting at 6.30pm local time to discuss the claims.
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Silva took an MRI scan on Wednesday, which – along with previous medical exams – all came back with “pristine” results.
It cleared the way for the pair to headline over eight rounds on Saturday night.
Jake Paul and Anderson Silva fight over eight rounds on SaturdayCredit: Esther Lin More

JAKE PAUL’S sparring partners have been left all saying the same thing ahead of his fight with Anderson Silva, according to his coach. The YouTuber-turned boxer returns over the weekend in Arizona, in his first bout in ten months.
Jake Paul in training for his fight with Anderson SilvaCredit: Adi Muhtarevic
During his hiatus from the ring, Paul, 25, has continued to train non-stop in his Puerto Rico base.
And he has benefited from top-level sparring against the likes of former world champion Chad Dawson, 40, among other contenders.
Paul’s head trainer BJ Flores claimed the feedback from the sessions have all been on the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s power.
Flores told Yahoo Sports: “I’d say he is a prospect and someone to definitely watch out for.
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“Regardless of how long he’s boxing, the one thing you really have to respect that he does have what very few people have, real punching power.
“That’s one thing that no matter who’s been in camp, Chad Dawson, Richard Rivera, who just arguably beat Badou Jack, is agreed on.
“Every single person who has been in camp with him and sparred with him says this kid has real, real power.
“He’s somebody to watch out for regardless of his skill level. And you’re going to see a much improved skill level [on Saturday].
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“One thing you have to do with Jake is really be conscious of both hands.
“People have seen the right hand, but the left hand is also strong and has been developing.
“Everybody says the same thing: ‘He can really, really punch.'”
Jake Paul during his training camp to fight Anderson SilvaCredit: Adi Muhtarevic More