UFC Icons Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman Set for Boxing Showdown on High-Profile Paul-Davis Undercard

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champions Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman are slated to reignite their storied rivalry in a professional boxing match, which has been officially added to the undercard of the highly anticipated Jake Paul vs. Gervonta "Tank" Davis event. Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) confirmed the bout on Thursday, marking another significant crossover event in combat sports.

The much-anticipated encounter between Silva, 49, and Weidman, 40, is scheduled to take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, on November 14. The heavyweight contest is set for six rounds and will serve as the opening fight on the main card, which will be broadcast live exclusively on Netflix, highlighting the streaming giant’s expanding footprint in live sports programming.

The genesis of this unexpected rematch traces back to initial discussions following the announcement of the Paul-Davis main event. Nakisa Bidarian, CEO and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, detailed the process, 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 elaborated on the promotional impetus: "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." Silva, a national hero in Brazil, maintains a massive following that is expected to significantly boost viewership from the South American nation.

The historical context of Silva vs. Weidman is deeply etched into the annals of mixed martial arts. Their initial two encounters in 2013 were pivotal moments that reshaped the UFC middleweight division and had lasting impacts on both fighters’ careers.

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Their first bout, at UFC 162 on July 6, 2013, remains one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history. Silva, then widely regarded as the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, entered the fight on an unparalleled 16-fight UFC winning streak, a record that stands unbroken to this day. His reign as middleweight champion had spanned an astonishing 2,457 days, with 10 successful title defenses. Weidman, an undefeated prospect with a 9-0 professional MMA record, challenged Silva, who famously engaged in taunting and showboating throughout the fight. In the second round, while seemingly toying with Weidman, fighting with his hands down and inviting strikes, Silva was caught by a left hook that sent him to the canvas. Weidman followed up with ground and pound, securing a knockout victory and ending Silva’s legendary reign. The manner of the defeat led to considerable debate among fans and pundits regarding whether Silva’s antics contributed to his downfall or if Weidman had simply proven to be the superior fighter on the night.

The immediate demand for a rematch led to their second clash at UFC 168 on December 28, 2013. This fight is perhaps even more vividly remembered, albeit for a more unfortunate reason. In the second round, as Silva threw a low leg kick, Weidman executed a perfectly timed check, resulting in Silva suffering a horrific compound fracture of his left tibia and fibula. The injury was graphic and career-threatening, casting a long shadow over the future of one of the sport’s most iconic figures. While Weidman secured a technical knockout victory due to the injury, the moment was tragic, and the image of Silva collapsing in agony became one of the most indelible, and often replayed, moments in UFC history.

Nearly eleven years later, both men will step into a boxing ring, a discipline where Silva has considerably more professional experience than his former rival. Anderson "The Spider" Silva’s professional boxing record stands at 3 wins and 2 losses. After a long and illustrious MMA career that saw him become a UFC Hall of Famer, Silva transitioned more actively into boxing in 2021. His return to the squared circle was met with critical acclaim when he secured a split-decision victory over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. This was followed by a first-round knockout victory against fellow former UFC champion Tito Ortiz. His most recent boxing outing saw him face Jake Paul in October 2022, a fight he lost via unanimous decision. Silva’s boxing performances have showcased his fluid movement, defensive acumen, and surprising power, demonstrating a natural aptitude for the sport despite his advanced age for a combat athlete.

Chris Weidman, on the other hand, enters this bout with no recorded professional or amateur boxing matches. His claim of being "undefeated in boxing" is technically accurate due to this lack of official record. Weidman’s combat sports career has been primarily defined by his wrestling pedigree and powerful striking within the MMA ruleset. Following his two victories over Silva, Weidman went on to win and defend the UFC middleweight title before experiencing a challenging period in his career marked by a series of losses and significant injuries, including his own severe leg break suffered against Uriah Hall in 2021, eerily similar to Silva’s. His most recent MMA fight was a unanimous decision loss to Bruno Silva in August 2023. His transition to professional boxing, especially against a decorated striker like Silva, represents a significant undertaking.

In their respective statements, both fighters expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming bout. Silva articulated his excitement, stating, "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 sentiment underscores the enduring personal narrative between the two athletes and the anticipation for a new chapter in their rivalry.

Weidman, reflecting on his past achievements and looking ahead to the boxing match, declared, "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." His quote serves as a direct callback to his famous victories over Silva and injects a psychological element into the promotional build-up.

The decision to feature this fight on the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis adds another layer of intrigue to an already high-profile event. Paul, a social media personality turned professional boxer, has built a career on challenging and defeating former MMA stars, including Silva. His presence on the main card as a promoter and headliner indicates MVP’s strategy of merging mainstream entertainment with professional combat sports, often utilizing nostalgic matchups involving well-known MMA figures. Gervonta Davis, a multi-division world champion, brings legitimate boxing credibility and a significant fan base to the main event.

The Kaseya Center, a prominent sports and entertainment arena in Miami, provides a fitting backdrop for an event of this magnitude. The decision to broadcast the entire main card on Netflix further signifies the evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, with streaming platforms increasingly vying for exclusive rights to major events, aiming to capture a diverse global audience.

As November 14 approaches, the boxing world and the wider combat sports community will be closely watching the latest iteration of the Silva-Weidman rivalry. While the stakes are different in a boxing ring compared to their UFC clashes, the historical animosity and the sheer spectacle of two legends reigniting their feud promise a compelling addition to the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis undercard.