Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman boxing match added to Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis undercard

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) officially announced the bout on Thursday, marking another chapter in the storied rivalry between two of mixed martial arts’ most iconic figures. The heavyweight contest, scheduled for six rounds, is set to take place on November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, and will serve as the opening act for the main card, which will be broadcast live exclusively on Netflix.

The decision to stage a third encounter between Silva and Weidman, albeit under boxing rules, stems from direct interest from the combatants themselves. Nakisa Bidarian, CEO and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, detailed the initiation of the matchup, stating, "Anderson and his team approached me immediately after the Jake Paul vs. ‘Tank’ Davis fight was announced and said they would like to be a part of the event and he would like to fight Chris Weidman." Bidarian further explained, "Once it was clear that both men wanted it, and wanted it as a professional fight, MVP was 100% in, given the history between them, reaching a broader generational consumer base and enhancing the event’s marketability in Brazil." This highlights the strategic importance of pairing such a historically significant matchup with a high-profile main event, leveraging existing narratives to attract a wider audience.

The genesis of this rivalry traces back to 2013, a pivotal year that irrevocably altered the landscape of the UFC’s middleweight division. Anderson Silva, widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time at that point, entered his first encounter with Weidman as an almost mythical figure. "The Spider" had established an unparalleled reign, boasting a 16-fight winning streak within the UFC, a record that remains unbroken. His tenure as middleweight champion spanned an astonishing 2,457 days, during which he successfully defended his title a record 10 times, showcasing a dazzling array of striking techniques, impeccable timing, and an almost supernatural ability to evade punishment. His victories over opponents such as Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson, Chael Sonnen, and Vitor Belfort cemented his legacy as a dominant and innovative force.

Chris Weidman, then an undefeated prospect with a perfect 9-0 professional MMA record, represented the new guard. A highly decorated collegiate wrestler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Weidman’s grappling credentials were unquestioned, but his striking had developed significantly under the tutelage of Ray Longo and Matt Serra. Their first meeting at UFC 162 on July 6, 2013, in Las Vegas, was an event shrouded in anticipation and ultimately, shock. Throughout the first round and into the second, Silva engaged in his characteristic showboating, dropping his hands, taunting Weidman, and seemingly inviting strikes. This tactical approach, which had previously disarmed numerous opponents, proved to be his undoing. Weidman capitalized decisively in the second round, landing a left hook that dropped Silva, followed by ground and pound that rendered him unconscious at 1:18 of the round. The knockout was an all-time UFC shocker, not only ending Silva’s historic reign and winning streak but also casting a shadow over his perceived invincibility. It was a moment that sent reverberations through the combat sports world, instantly elevating Weidman to superstar status and sparking intense debate over Silva’s approach to the fight.

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The demand for a rematch was immediate and overwhelming. Just five months later, at UFC 168 on December 28, 2013, Silva and Weidman met again in Las Vegas, a bout that generated even greater public interest. The narrative revolved around whether Silva’s first loss was a fluke, a result of his playful antics, or a genuine passing of the torch. The second encounter, however, etched itself into the annals of MMA history for a far more grim reason. In the second round, Silva attempted a powerful low kick, which Weidman expertly checked with his shin. The impact resulted in a horrific compound fracture of Silva’s left tibia and fibula, an injury that instantaneously ended the fight and left fans and fellow fighters in stunned silence. Weidman was declared the winner via TKO due to injury at 1:16 of the second round, solidifying his claim to the middleweight throne under tragic circumstances. The image of Silva collapsing to the canvas with his leg grotesquely bent remains one of the most vivid and disturbing moments in the sport’s history, raising serious questions about the future of his career.

Despite the severity of the injury, Anderson Silva embarked on a remarkable recovery. His post-Weidman MMA career, while not reaching the heights of his championship reign, saw him compete against elite fighters such as Nick Diaz, Michael Bisping, Daniel Cormier, and Israel Adesanya, showcasing flashes of his old brilliance before his eventual departure from the UFC in 2020. However, it was his pivot to professional boxing that truly reignited interest in "The Spider’s" striking prowess. Silva, who had a professional boxing match in 1998 (a loss) and another in 2005 (a win) prior to his UFC ascent, returned to the squared circle in 2021. He surprised many by outpointing former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a unanimous decision, demonstrating that his elite striking skills translated effectively to boxing. He followed this with a first-round knockout of fellow MMA legend Tito Ortiz. His most recent boxing outing was in October 2022, where he faced Jake Paul, losing a unanimous decision in a competitive eight-round contest. Silva’s professional boxing record now stands at 3 wins and 2 losses.

Chris Weidman’s career trajectory following his two victories over Silva also experienced its share of highs and lows. He successfully defended the UFC Middleweight Championship against Lyoto Machida and Vitor Belfort, establishing himself as a legitimate champion. However, a string of losses and injuries eventually saw him relinquish the title. Weidman himself suffered a devastating leg break similar to Silva’s in a fight against Uriah Hall in April 2021, an injury that required extensive rehabilitation and highlighted the brutal nature of the sport. He returned to action in September 2023, losing a unanimous decision to Brad Tavares. Weidman’s professional MMA record currently stands at 15 wins and 7 losses. His foray into boxing, however, will mark his official professional debut in the sport. Despite this, Weidman maintains a confident stance, declaring, "I’m undefeated in boxing and it’s gonna stay that way on Friday, Nov. 14, live on Netflix. I’m the original spider killer." While technically true that he holds no recorded professional or amateur boxing losses, this upcoming bout will be his first sanctioned professional boxing contest.

The promotional aspects of this event are significant. Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by Jake Paul, has been instrumental in bringing crossover boxing events to prominence, blending traditional boxing with celebrity and MMA figures. The partnership with Netflix to broadcast live sports is also a landmark development, signifying the streaming giant’s serious entry into the live event space and offering an unprecedented reach for combat sports. The inclusion of the Silva-Weidman rematch taps into a rich vein of combat sports history, promising a spectacle that appeals to both long-time MMA fans and a new generation of boxing enthusiasts.

For Anderson Silva, at 49 years old, this fight represents another opportunity to showcase his enduring combat sports abilities and perhaps, in a non-MMA context, address the lingering narratives from their past encounters. His statement reflects this sentiment: "I am super excited to embark on another battle against Chris. We have a history and on Friday, November 14th, live only on Netflix, we’re putting another stamp on our chapter together. It will be a spectacle for the fans!" His experience in professional boxing, albeit limited, provides him with a distinct advantage in the pure striking environment.

Chris Weidman, 40 years old, faces a different challenge. Entering a professional boxing match against a striker of Silva’s caliber, even an aging one, without prior professional boxing experience, is a testament to his competitive spirit and willingness to face a familiar foe under new rules. His grappling base, which was so crucial in their MMA contests, will be nullified, placing a premium on his boxing fundamentals and defensive capabilities. The heavyweight designation for the fight is also notable, as both men predominantly competed as middleweights (185 lbs) and light heavyweights (205 lbs) in MMA. This indicates a relaxed weight cut, allowing both fighters to compete closer to their natural walk-around weight, potentially impacting their speed and power dynamics.

The third meeting between Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman is more than just another fight on an undercard; it is a narrative continuation of one of the most compelling rivalries in combat sports history. It offers a unique blend of redemption, curiosity, and the enduring allure of two legendary athletes stepping into a new arena to settle old scores, all while contributing to a landmark event in the evolving landscape of professional boxing and live sports broadcasting.