Ali Akbar Rosady
Miami, FL – A highly anticipated boxing match featuring two legendary figures of mixed martial arts, Anderson "The Spider" Silva and Chris "All-American" Weidman, has been officially added to the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta "Tank" Davis event. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) confirmed on Thursday that the former UFC middleweight champions have agreed to face each other in a professional boxing bout, reigniting one of the most significant rivalries in UFC history.
The six-round heavyweight contest is scheduled to take place on November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The bout is slated to open the main card, which will be broadcast live exclusively on Netflix, marking a significant expansion of the streaming giant into live combat sports. This addition promises to inject a compelling narrative of redemption and legacy into an already high-profile boxing event, drawing in a diverse audience from both boxing and mixed martial arts communities.
Nakisa Bidarian, CEO and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, elaborated on the genesis of the matchup. "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 told ESPN. He further explained MVP’s decision to greenlight the contest: "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." The emphasis on the historical rivalry and its potential to attract a wider demographic, particularly in Brazil where Silva remains an icon, underscores the strategic value of this pairing for the promoters.
The forthcoming boxing match resurrects a rivalry forged over a decade ago in the Ultimate Fighting Championship octagon, a period that saw both fighters reach the pinnacle of the sport. Their initial encounters in 2013 were pivotal moments in MMA history, etching both men into the sport’s annals for contrasting reasons.
Related News :
- Riyadh Gears Up for Blockbuster Boxing as Benavidez and Yarde Make Weight for WBC Light Heavyweight Title Showdown
- UFC Prepares for Final 2025 Card Amidst Major Broadcast Shift to Paramount+
- Daniel Marcos Secures Resounding Comeback Victory at UFC Vegas 111, Submitting Miles Johns with a Second-Round Choke.
- Texas Secures Dual Top-10 Talents as Crittendon, Bjorn Headline Dynamic 2026 Recruiting Class Landscape
- The Curtain Falls: UFC 323 Delivers Final Pay-Per-View Spectacle with Bantamweight and Flyweight Titles on the Line.
Their first clash occurred at UFC 162 on July 6, 2013, a fight that remains one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history. Silva, then considered by many to be the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, entered the fight riding an unprecedented 16-fight UFC winning streak, a record that still stands today. He had defended his middleweight title a record 10 consecutive times, showcasing a dazzling array of striking techniques and an uncanny ability to finish opponents. Weidman, a formidable wrestler with heavy hands and an undefeated professional MMA record of 9-0, was seen as a significant challenger but still an underdog against the seemingly invincible "Spider." During the fight, Silva engaged in his characteristic showboating, dropping his hands and inviting Weidman to strike. This tactic, which had worked for him countless times before, proved disastrous on this occasion. Weidman capitalized on Silva’s lowered guard, landing a left hook that sent the champion to the canvas, followed by ground and pound that forced the referee to stop the fight in the second round. Weidman claimed the UFC Middleweight Championship, ending Silva’s reign and his remarkable streak in a moment that sent shockwaves through the combat sports world.
The immediate aftermath was filled with debate: Was Silva’s defeat a consequence of his showmanship, or had Weidman truly found the blueprint to beat him? This question fueled an intense desire for a rematch, which was promptly booked for UFC 168 on December 28, 2013. The second encounter was even more memorable, albeit for a far more gruesome reason. In the second round, Silva attempted a low leg kick, a staple of his diverse striking arsenal. Weidman, anticipating the strike, checked the kick with his knee. The impact resulted in a horrific tib-fib fracture to Silva’s left leg, a career-threatening injury that brought an immediate end to the fight and awarded Weidman his first successful title defense. The image of Silva collapsing in agony became one of the most replayed and impactful moments in UFC history, casting a long shadow over both fighters’ careers and the rivalry itself.
Anderson Silva, now 49 years old, has embarked on a late-career boxing journey, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and continued athletic prowess. The UFC Hall of Famer transitioned to professional boxing in 2021, marking his return to the squared circle after an earlier professional boxing debut in 1998. His boxing record currently stands at 3 wins and 2 losses. His recent boxing ventures include a notable unanimous decision victory over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in June 2021, a performance that surprised many pundits and showcased his refined striking skills. He followed this with a first-round knockout of fellow former UFC champion Tito Ortiz in September 2021. Most recently, Silva faced Jake Paul in October 2022, losing a unanimous decision in a high-profile bout that further cemented his presence in the crossover boxing landscape. Despite his age, Silva has consistently shown a dedication to his craft and a willingness to compete at a high level.
Chris Weidman, 40, enters the boxing ring with a different kind of record. While he claims to be "undefeated in boxing," this assertion stems from the fact that he has no recorded professional or amateur boxing matches to date. His career has been exclusively in mixed martial arts, where he compiled a professional record of 16 wins and 7 losses, with his most recent MMA bout being a unanimous decision loss to Bruno Silva in August 2023. Weidman’s career since the Silva fights has been marked by a series of injuries and a quest to regain his championship form. His resilience, particularly in overcoming the physical and psychological toll of a career in elite MMA, is well-documented. His claim of being "the original spider killer" in his statement for this boxing match directly invokes their shared history and his defining victory over Silva.
Silva expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming bout: "I am super excited to embark on another battle against Chris," Silva said in a statement. "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 statement highlights the narrative of adding another chapter to their storied rivalry, promising a spectacle for a global audience.
Weidman echoed his opponent’s excitement while maintaining his confident persona. "I’m undefeated in boxing and it’s gonna stay that way on Friday, Nov. 14, live on Netflix," Weidman said in a statement. "I’m the original spider killer." Weidman’s declaration, while technically accurate regarding his boxing record, sets a tone of confidence and directly references his pivotal role in Silva’s MMA career.
The decision to hold the bout at heavyweight is noteworthy for two fighters who competed for most of their careers as middleweights (185 lbs). This suggests a more relaxed weight cut for both athletes, allowing them to focus on training for the boxing specific demands rather than the strenuous process of shedding significant weight. For Silva, who has competed at light heavyweight in MMA, a jump to heavyweight in boxing is less drastic than for Weidman, who has historically struggled with injuries and weight cuts. The choice of Netflix as the exclusive broadcast platform further underscores the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, with streaming services increasingly vying for premium live event content. The Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis main event itself is a significant draw, featuring one of boxing’s most popular pay-per-view stars against a respected, undefeated world champion. The inclusion of Silva vs. Weidman adds a layer of nostalgia and historical significance that appeals to a broader demographic, particularly those who followed the UFC during its explosive growth in the 2010s.
This boxing match represents more than just a contest between two veteran fighters; it is a testament to the enduring appeal of combat sports rivalries and the willingness of athletes to redefine their careers. For Silva, it is another opportunity to showcase his striking artistry and add to his unique legacy in the boxing ring. For Weidman, it is a chance to step into a new discipline and assert his dominance over his historic rival once more, this time without the grappling exchanges of MMA. The Kaseya Center in Miami will host a night that combines established boxing talent with a narrative steeped in the rich history of mixed martial arts, promising a memorable event for fans worldwide.
💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook
Author Profile
Latest entries
MMAJanuary 16, 2026Historic UFC Rivals Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman Set for Boxing Showdown on Paul-Davis Undercard
MMAJanuary 16, 2026UFC 324 Main Card Reshuffled: O’Malley vs. Yadong Elevated Following Harrison Injury Withdrawal
MMAJanuary 15, 2026Duke Roufus dies at 55: Famed head coach of multiple UFC champions, founder of Roufusport passes away
MMAJanuary 15, 2026UFC 321: Ciryl Gane Navigates Crucible of Expectations in Pivotal Heavyweight Title Rematch Against Tom Aspinall
arthur roy sitompul
Anshari Taslim
rifan muazin
Jonas Leo