Israel Adesanya has joined Team Jake Paul.
Legendary MMA icon Anderson Silva is officially set to be the fifth opponent for “The Problem Child” when the two collide this Saturday night in Phoenix, Ariz. Many in the combat sports community, whether boxing or MMA, believe the 47-year-old all-time great will be the stiffest test yet for Paul.
Having fought “The Spider” during his rise to claiming the UFC middleweight title, Adesanya believes in the hard-hitting 25-year-old Paul. At the same time, however, he wants to make it clear that Silva must be taken seriously despite nearly living for half a century.
“I’m gonna be honest, he’s a tough fight, but I said this to you at your house after your Nate Robinson fight and I was just like, ‘Man, you’re a crazy motherf*****,’” Adesanya told Paul on BS w/ Jake Paul. “And I still maintain that. You’re a crazy motherf*****. So, you even getting this fight happening it’s something that is gonna go down in history and you can get it done. Silva can be beat. This is boxing as well, it’s not MMA, he is getting older, I don’t really think that plays a factor as everyone is saying. Don’t f****** believe the hype just cause he’s 42 or whatever. He’s a different kind of 42-year-old.
“I think you can get it done, but do not f****** sleep on Silva [otherwise] it’s gonna be a bad night. I wanna see you shake up the world, it’s fun to see you just throw your s*** everywhere (laughs).”
Adesanya’s fight with Silva in Feb. 2019 resulted in a unanimous decision judges call in favor of “The Last Stylebender.” The bout was one of the purest definitions of old vs. new school in recent memory, as two clearcut middleweight eras transitioned to and from.
Idol-like was Silva to Adesanya going into the matchup and he was well aware of the uniquely kind nature of mental warfare that was coming his way. Paul has had to deal with the same old Silva all that have fought him have, and that in itself is just as important to stay away from as is his phenomenal striking abilities, says Adesanya.
“You gotta be careful, man,” Adesanya said. “I told Logan [Paul], if you take this fight, take it seriously because he’s no joke. Silva is the master, he’s a mastermind, man. It comes to the level of even the way he talks, the way he speaks to you when you meet him. He’s a friendly guy, I love Silva. He’s cool and he’s a humble, genuine dude as well. But when it comes to war, he’s a savage.
“He’s from the streets, bro. You gotta remember this guy’s from the streets and the favelas, he don’t give a f***.”
Good-To-Go. Arizona clears Anderson Silva to box Jake Paul after submitting ‘pristine’ MRI, additional statements
Wager. Jake Paul and Anderson Silva make bet: fighters’ union, or kickboxing rematch
Pain. T.J. Dillashaw says he beat Cody Garbrandt with similar shoulder issues he had before UFC 280
Odds. Jake Paul excited to be an underdog against Anderson Silva: ‘Even my brother was like ‘are you sure you’re ready for this?’
Problematic. Anderson Silva ‘joking’ about sparring knockouts ahead of Jake Paul fight, commission schedules special meeting
Between the Links featuring yours truly.
Paul-Silva final presser staredowns.
Paul-Silva final pre-fight presser.
Jake Paul scrum.
Uriah Hall scrum.
Kattar vs. Allen preview.
The undefeated Almighty.
The Fights I’ll Never Forget.
Charlie Ward’s top Bellator moments.
Anatomy of UFC 280.
Cejudo BTS.
Cold Blooded head kicks.
Fancy judging.
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses Anderson Silva’s chances vs. Jake Paul and Josh Thomson calling out the media.
Bet.
Wholesome.
Congrats.
So grateful. Grateful for the fighters. I hold you all in the highest regard. Grateful for @ufc fans. Your support gives me great energy to perform! Grateful for my bosses, who entrust me w/ this tremendous responsibility. I’ll never take it lightly. And my colleagues…love ya! https://t.co/gBq3Ea0WP3
— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) October 27, 2022
Careful, Luke.
Brotherhood.
Great Owen Wilson impression.
The message.
Early Halloween.
Indeed.
Mizuki “Nisse” Oshiro (4-6) vs. Aya Murakami (4-1); Deep 111 Impact, Dec. 11
So… let’s have some fun on this Friday, shall we? For those of you who are celebrating Halloween in any fashion with costumes and whatnot, let us know in the comments below what you went as. The best one wins the honorary seal of approval from me: a real-life vampire.
Have a fantastic and safe Halloween weekend, friends! Thanks for reading!
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