UFC legend Anderson Silva would be willing to stage a rematch with Jake Paul providing it is a kickboxing exhibition.
Silva will take to the squared circle in his latest outing against YouTube star Paul in Phoenix on October 29. The Brazilian has made a huge impression in the boxing ring having picked up victories against both former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Bruno Machado.
His latest stint in fighting has seen him viewed as a threat to Paul's undefeated streak, having retired from his hugely successful career in the UFC which sees him ranked as one of the greatest fighters ever. And although he will not be able to use any of his MMA skills in this bout, Silva believes he can win in the boxing ring.
"I will not throw any elbows on him I won't need to I will go to win," Silva said when previewing his upcoming showdown with Paul on the Full Send podcast. "I will go and talk to Jake and let's go and do one more fight but let's make it an exhibition. But let's do it in kickboxing, you can kick me and I can kick you but I promise I won't kick you hard.
"It's tough for boxers to go into MMA because they don't have wrestling. I can't kick him in the face though I am disqualified, when the fight is finished I will say let's do a kickboxing fight and do one more. I am excited because the fight is coming and guys are not beating me in training anymore."
Paul's clash with Silva will be his sixth professional fight having beaten the likes of former UFC stars Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren in previous crossover bouts. However it will be very different circumstances with Silva having shown his superb striking ability despite now being 47.
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Paul has previously teased a switch to MMA himself which could suggest he is open to a kickboxing fight if Silva was to offer him the chance. For now the YouTuber is focused on his continued boxing career where he hopes to become world champion in the future.
Silva has suggested in the past that he is not carrying the flag for MMA coming into the contest, but Paul believes he is showing he is not scared of the Brazilian legend. "He’s definitely representing the MMA community," Paul said. "I think he just doesn’t want that pressure, maybe because even Tyron said the same thing.
"So he definitely is representing his legacy and all that. And the reason this fight is happening is because Dana White said I wouldn’t do it. So I had to check his bluff and prove to everyone - including him - that I’m not scared of Anderson Silva. So this is definitely MMA vs. I guess myself.”
