Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Boxing

UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, impresses in Abu Dhabi exhibition as he chases mega-fight with Jake Paul

ANDERSON SILVA has one eye on Jake Paul after outclassing Bruno Machada with both fists.

UFC legend Silva, 47, was a clear if unofficial winner over MMA master Machada on the Abu Dhabi undercard to Floyd Mayweather vs Don Moore.

Anderson Silva impressed in the exhibition fight with Bruno Machada
Ex-UFC middleweight king Anderson Silva piled on the pressure late in the bout

The Spider showed his class the more the eight-round exhibition progressed.

And in the closing stages he gave Machada, 34, a southpaw battering that threatened a knockout.

Silva said afterwards: “I am so happy to be here again, I feel it is my second home.

“Thank you to Bruno for giving me the chance to come here and fight. He is the king of MMA here in Abu Dhabi.”

READ MORE BOXING NEWS

Mayweather vs Moore

Latest fight updates as Mayweather returns to ring in Abu Dhabi

RUSH HOUR

Jones includes Ali in his boxing Mount Rushmore but leaves out Mayweather

FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS

And although he rates a money-spinning, mega match-up with YouTuber Paul as ‘possible’ he joked: “Maybe I’ll fight in a Jiu-Jitsu tournament.”

Silva insists Paul’s record of five wins out of five shows the 25-year-old is a serious and dangerous prospect.

The Brazilian-born American has argued: “People need to respect the Paul brothers.

“Those kids are talented, and they’ve opened people’s eyes about the good and bad in combat sports.

“I’m preparing my body for a challenge. We’ll see what happens.”

Machado, meanwhile, seemed thrilled to have merely competed against his idol.

He said: “It is very hard to fight someone you love.

“Thank you so much Anderson for giving me that pleasure. I love you.”