Internet sensation Jake Paul will take on UFC legend Anderson Silva in a professional bout which will take influencer boxing to a new level.
Paul has five wins to his name so far, and has beaten the likes of former UFC man Ben Askren and UFC champion Tyron Woodley.
Silva had a glittering mixed martial arts career in the UFC, with 34 wins and 11 losses in total. So, what's his story? We take a look:
Childhood poverty
Silva was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1975. His full name is Anderson da Silva.
Speaking to Humanity Magazine back in 2015, it was revealed that Silva's parents couldn't afford to look after him as a child so he lived with his aunty and uncle.
Obsessed with taekwondo, Silva couldn't afford lessons so instead used to watch other children take part in the combat artform from outside the class. A teacher soon noticed and said he would teach Silva for free if he cleaned the gym. A similar situation panned out when he first got into Muay Thai, where he was also given free lessons later on in his teenage years.
The Brazilian remained in Sao Paulo until 2007, at the age of 32. His career was beginning to take off and there was a requirement for him to live in the United States. Life was also getting tough in his home city, where he was being driven around in armoured vehicles for fear of his safety amid the bubbling cauldron of fame.
UFC immortality
'The Spider' went on a ridiculous run of success when he moved to the States. He begun a record seven-year, 16-fight winning streak in 2006 which is yet to be beaten.
After losing his debut fight in Japan earlier that year, he came into the UFC with doubters. His first opponent in the competition, Chris Leben, even vowed to send him back to Japan where "the competition was easier", reports Bleacher Report. But less than one minute into the fight, Leben was on the floor. Victory was Silva's.
After 10 title defences, he secured his 16th and final successive victory against Stephen Bonnar in October 2012. Silva would then lose to Chris Wiedman in UFC 162 in July 2013, ending a breathtaking run of results.
Horrifying injury
Silva snapped his leg in half when throwing a leg kick against Chris Wiedman in their rematch at UFC 168. He fractured both his tibia and fibia in the second round, keeping him out of the sport for two years. He required a titanium rod to aid repair, which was implanted into his leg, reports Essentially Sports.
He won his first fight back against Nick Diaz in an MMA epic, but his decline would begin shortly after.
Retirement and boxing
Silva's aura of invincibility in the octagon would slowly break down in his latter years. He lost five out of six fights after the Diaz bout, and retired in 2021.
Silva fought in two boxing matches prior to signing his UFC contract in 2006, winning one and losing the other. Since his retirement from mixed martial arts, he has drastically improved that record.
His first fight back was against Julio Cesar Chavez Junior in June 2021. Chavez was 10 years younger than him but Silva ruled mighty by split decision.
His most recent boxing match came against fellow former UFC man Tito Ortiz, who Silva knocked out.
Silva takes on Jake Paul in Arizona on Saturday, October 29, at the Desert Diamond Arena. You can find out how to watch it here.
Read next:
Rugby player knocks himself out scoring a try with nobody near him as 1 million viewers left stunned
The new fastest footballer in Premier League history as Liverpool star breaks record
Strictly's Tony Adams: Prison, alcohol addiction, Caprice and marriage
Chris Kamara in tears as he says heartbreaking condition makes him "feel like a fraud"
England v Germany fan fight puts five in hospital as 100 Germans storm pub
