- Anderson Silva made a bet with Jake Paul to launch a fighters’ advocacy group if he loses tomorrow
- Silva wants to have his retirement MMA fight in Japan
Legendary mixed martial artist Anderson Silva is set to take on YouTube sensation turned boxer Jake Paul in a boxing match in his return to action tomorrow at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Paul goes into the bout with an undefeated professional career of five bouts against one of the greatest MMA athletes ever.
Anderson Silva makes a bet with Jake Paul to start fighters’ advocacy group
Ahead of their nearing contest, Paul offered to make a bet with Anderson Silva at Thursday’s pre-fight press conference.
“I have a bet,” Paul said eagerly. “I have a bet. I have a bet for you, Anderson. It’s a good one. It’s a good one. So, look. If you win, I’ll give you something that you probably want.”
Silva interjected, “No tattoos. No tattoos.”
Paul continued on, “If you win, I will fight you in an MMA fight.”
Silva laughed at the initial offer, “Woah, you so smart because you know I don’t fight MMA anymore. You so smart.”
Paul tweaked and countered, “Kickboxing. I got you.”
Silva seemed much more OK with that offer, “Kickboxing?” Silva said. All right, kickboxing.”
But what if Paul wins? He laid out the catch, “If I win, me and you come together to create a united fighter’s association to help UFC fighters get better pay and better healthcare,” Paul said. “You become the interim president and we unite to help these fighters once and for all.
Without hesitation, Silva was in, “Deal,” Silva said. “Deal. Deal.” (transcribed by MMA Junkie)
Silva wants his retirement MMA fight in Japan
Although Silva has moved on from his days of professional competition inside the octagon, he has not ruled out a return for something special. Having had his first international fight in Japan, Silva would like to have a final MMA bout in the country for his Japanese fans.
“You know, my goal is my last fight in MMA in Japan because I start my international career in Japan and that’s why I try to do it,” Silva told MMA Junkie. “That’s my plan. My last fight in MMA is in Japan.”
“I don’t have (an opponent in mind) because I need to give back to Japan everything Japan gave to me,” Silva said. “I believe my last MMA fight is go to Japan for my fans in Japan. Of course my fans in the world, but especially my fans in Japan.”
Anderson Silva will look to hand Paul the first defeat of his career tomorrow when the two collide in the boxing ring. Former UFC fighter Uriah Hall will also feature against Le’Veon Bell on the undercard.
There was a push to start a fighters’ association a few years ago that even managed to get Georges St-Pierre on board. But nothing concrete developed and the project was soon abandoned. It will be interesting to see where Silva and Paul decide to go ahead if ‘The Problem Child’ comes out victorious.
