Former opponent insists ‘scary’ Anderson Silva is ‘big problem’ as Jake Paul ‘counts on knockout’
- Lewis Oldham
- 20 September 2022
UFC legend Chael Sonnen has insisted that Anderson Silva is going to be a “big problem” for Jake Paul.
Sonnen and Silva fought twice in the UFC between 2010 and 2012. The latter won both bouts, the first via submission before their rematch ended in a TKO.
UFC great Silva has returned to boxing in recent years and he will fight Paul on October 29 in Glendale, Arizona.
Sonnen is confident that Paul will not be able to knock out the UFC great when they meet next month.
"I do have strong feelings for this fight, I don't think Jake Paul is going to knock him out," Sonnen told Fight Hub TV.
"If there was a magic wand, you knew this fight was going to happen and that Jake wasn't going to knock him out, it would change your opinion.
"Jake counts on that, he's a powerful guy and he connects on people. I don't think it's going to happen with Anderson and if he does connect, I don't think he's going to put 'The Spider' down."
Respect, honor and admiration. #PaulSilva pic.twitter.com/TF8Zg9nQl8
— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) September 13, 2022
He continued: "Somebody asked Jake how he was training and he said 'he's always training for great guys'.
"I want to hear specifically, how are you doing with a guy who is ambidextrous? People like to say Anderson is a southpaw but when I fought him he was orthodox, he switches stance and that's a very unique look.
"If you choose to stand and look at Anderson it's not his attacks that are so scary, it's his setups. I think Anderson is a big problem."
Paul is going into this bout as an underdog and this is a first for him as a boxer.
The YouTuber has previously beaten MMA fighters Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley in professional boxing bouts.
The 25-year-old beat Woodley twice, first via split decision before he won via a clinical knockout in the rematch in December 2021.
Silva (47) has way more experience in the fighting world and he had two boxing bouts last year.
He beat ex-world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on points before he steamrolled Tito Ortiz to win via stoppage in one round.
