Silva and Weidman Set to Rekindle Rivalry in Boxing Ring on Paul vs. Davis Undercard

MIAMI – Former UFC middleweight champions Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman are slated to meet once again, this time in a professional boxing match scheduled as part of the undercard for the highly anticipated Jake Paul vs. Gervonta "Tank" Davis event. The bout, officially announced by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) on Thursday, is set to take place on November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, and will serve as the opening fight of the Netflix main card broadcast.

The decision to add Silva vs. Weidman to the undercard came at the request of Silva’s team shortly after the Paul vs. Davis fight was confirmed, according to Nakisa Bidarian, CEO and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. Speaking to ESPN, Bidarian stated, "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. 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 Silva vs. Weidman matchup is scheduled for six rounds in the heavyweight division, a significant departure from their previous encounters in the middleweight class of mixed martial arts. This fight marks the third combat sports appearance for both fighters since leaving the UFC.

The rivalry between Silva and Weidman is deeply rooted in UFC history. Their first encounter occurred on July 6, 2013, at UFC 162 in Las Vegas. Weidman, then undefeated with a record of 9-0, faced the seemingly insurmountable task of dethroning Silva, who at the time held the UFC middleweight title and boasted a 16-fight winning streak in the promotion. Silva’s reign as champion had lasted nearly seven years, a dominant stretch that established him as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The fight itself became an instant classic, albeit one filled with controversy. Silva, known for his unorthodox striking and taunting of opponents, employed his signature hands-down style, seemingly inviting Weidman to engage. In the second round, Weidman capitalized on Silva’s showboating, landing a left hook that knocked the champion unconscious. The victory marked the end of Silva’s historic title reign and sent shockwaves throughout the MMA world.

A rematch was quickly arranged for UFC 168 on December 28, 2013, also in Las Vegas. The anticipation surrounding the second fight was immense, as many questioned whether Weidman’s victory in the first fight was a fluke. The rematch, however, ended in even more dramatic and gruesome fashion. In the second round, Silva threw a leg kick that was checked by Weidman, resulting in a compound fracture of Silva’s left tibia and fibula. The fight was immediately stopped, awarding Weidman the victory by TKO due to injury. The injury sidelined Silva for over a year and cast a shadow over his future in the sport.

Since their UFC encounters, both Silva and Weidman have experienced varying degrees of success. Silva, now 49 years old, transitioned to boxing after his UFC career concluded. He has compiled a professional boxing record of 3-2, with notable victories over former boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and MMA veteran Tito Ortiz, both in 2021. His most recent boxing match was against Jake Paul in October 2022, which he lost by unanimous decision. Despite the loss, Silva’s performance against Paul was seen as respectable, given Paul’s size and relative experience in boxing.

Weidman, 40, has remained primarily focused on MMA. He continued to compete in the UFC, but struggled to regain the form that saw him capture the middleweight title. He suffered a series of injuries and losses, including a similar leg injury to the one Silva sustained, which further hampered his career. He currently holds an MMA record of 15-7. While Weidman claims to be undefeated in boxing, he has no recorded professional or amateur boxing matches to his name, making the upcoming bout against Silva his professional boxing debut.

"I am super excited to embark on another battle against Chris," Silva said in a statement released by MVP. "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!"

Weidman echoed Silva’s enthusiasm, stating, "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."

The addition of Silva vs. Weidman to the Paul vs. Davis undercard is expected to draw significant interest from both MMA and boxing fans, particularly in Brazil, where Silva remains a national icon. The event marks a significant step for Netflix into the live combat sports market, as the streaming giant continues to expand its sports programming.

The Paul vs. Davis event is expected to be one of the biggest combat sports events of the year, pitting the controversial social media star turned boxer Jake Paul against Gervonta "Tank" Davis, one of boxing’s most exciting and accomplished young stars. Davis, a multi-division world champion, holds a professional record of 30-0 with 28 knockouts. Paul, with a record of 9-1, 6 KOs, has primarily faced former MMA fighters and other non-boxing opponents. This fight against Davis represents a significant step up in competition for Paul.

The undercard, now featuring Silva vs. Weidman, further adds to the event’s appeal. The card is expected to feature other notable boxing and MMA figures, with further announcements anticipated in the coming weeks.

The Kaseya Center in Miami, home to the Miami Heat NBA team, is expected to be sold out for the event, with a capacity of approximately 20,000. The event will be broadcast live on Netflix, marking the streaming service’s entry into the world of live boxing.

The Florida State Boxing Commission will oversee the Silva vs. Weidman bout, ensuring that all rules and regulations are followed. Both fighters are expected to undergo thorough medical examinations and adhere to strict weight guidelines.

The Silva vs. Weidman fight is a testament to the enduring appeal of rivalries in combat sports. While both fighters are past their prime, their history and the unique dynamic of their matchup continue to captivate fans. The opportunity to witness them compete in a new arena, the boxing ring, adds another layer of intrigue to their already storied rivalry. The November 14 event promises to be a memorable night for combat sports fans, with the collision of boxing and MMA worlds on display.