Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva: Live blog, results for Showtime event

Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva: Live blog, results for Showtime event.

Editor’s note: This article was originally posted on MMAJunkie.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – MMA Junkie is on the scene and reporting live from tonight’s Showtime event headlined by Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva.

Paul and Silva will meet in a 187-pound fight after weeks of build-up to their main event. The five-fight card also features former UFC standout Uriah Hall making his professional boxing debut in a four-round bout against former NFL All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell.

The event gets underway at 6 p.m. ET, with the pay-per-view main card kicking off at 9 p.m. ET. Keep it locked here for results as they happen, as well as live behind-the-scenes updates.

For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.

Full fight results

Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva: Live blog, results for Showtime event

Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva: Live blog, results for Showtime event.

Editor’s note: This article was originally posted on MMAJunkie.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – MMA Junkie is on the scene and reporting live from tonight’s Showtime event headlined by Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva.

Paul and Silva will meet in a 187-pound fight after weeks of build-up to their main event. The five-fight card also features former UFC standout Uriah Hall making his professional boxing debut in a four-round bout against former NFL All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell.

The event gets underway at 6 p.m. ET, with the pay-per-view main card kicking off at 9 p.m. ET. Keep it locked here for results as they happen, as well as live behind-the-scenes updates.

For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.

Full fight results

Jake Paul claims Dana White has attempted to ‘sabotage’ fight with Anderson Silva

Jake Paul claims Dana White has attempted to “sabotage” his fight with Anderson Silva on Saturday.

[mm-video type=video id=01ggdwyemkyhq9cwzptp playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ggdwyemkyhq9cwzptp/01ggdwyemkyhq9cwzptp-ce55b5c1022db116e6a5d7993b60bf7f.jpg]

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jake Paul claims UFC president Dana White has been active behind the scenes attempting to disrupt his upcoming boxing event.

On Saturday, Paul is set to take on former UFC champion Anderson Silva in an eight-round boxing match that headlines the Paul vs. Silva event at Desert Diamond Arena. However, he claims White, with who he has had multiple back-and-forth verbal exchanges, has made attempts to “sabotage” the event.

“The list goes on, and some of it I can’t even speak on,” Paul told reporters during a media scrum following Thursday’s pre-fight news conference. “But he’s been sending cease and desists for my content promoting this fight, and just doing things behind the scenes that are really shady. And we’re just finding out more and more stuff as the promotion goes on. I’m sure I’ll speak on it more at a later date.”

While Paul would not get into the specifics of White’s alleged actions, he explained why he believes the UFC boss has targeted him ahead of the toughest fight of his young professional boxing career.

“I think it’s because I’m the No. 1 figurehead that is exposing his business model and how much of a shark he is and how poorly he treats his fighters,” Paul said. “He said I wouldn’t fight Anderson Silva, who is one of UFC’s greats, and now here I am fighting him. And he largely, in part, promoted that. He’s the reason why I took this fight, is to prove him wrong and shut him the hell up.”

Paul has been vocal in calling for improving fighters’ rights, and their salaries. He has also challenged White to change how he treats fighters under the UFC banner.

Recently, White has been dismissive of Paul, but he did weigh in on the Silva matchup when the fight was in the process of being finalized. However, as the back-and-forth between the two continued, White grew tired of questions about the boxing YouTuber.

“He’s also telling reporters not to talk about me because he doesn’t want my fights to be big,” Paul said. “He wants to be the only cash cow in town. He wants to run the fight game and I’m a threat to him being able to do that.”

Earlier this year, when White was more accepting of questions about Paul, he advised him to leave his business partner Nakisa Bidarian, who was a former accountant for the UFC.

With everything Paul claims he has been through, he says he has found motivation in the attention from White.

“There’s been some big fires, but I can’t really talk about it,” Paul said. “I’m sure it’ll – the truth always comes out. … What he doesn’t realize is he’s just adding fuel to the fire. But he’s trying to do anything he can to stop me, but it is cool that I am so on his radar that he feels threatened enough to care this much to try and sabotage my event.”

For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.

[lawrence-related id=33738,33716,33694,33691,33682,33667]

Jake Paul claims Dana White has attempted to ‘sabotage’ fight with Anderson Silva

Jake Paul claims Dana White has attempted to “sabotage” his fight with Anderson Silva on Saturday.

[mm-video type=video id=01ggdwyemkyhq9cwzptp playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ggdwyemkyhq9cwzptp/01ggdwyemkyhq9cwzptp-ce55b5c1022db116e6a5d7993b60bf7f.jpg]

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on MMAJunkie.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jake Paul claims UFC president Dana White has been active behind the scenes attempting to disrupt his upcoming boxing event.

On Saturday, Paul is set to take on former UFC champion Anderson Silva in an eight-round boxing match that headlines the Paul vs. Silva event at Desert Diamond Arena. However, he claims White, with who he has had multiple back-and-forth verbal exchanges, has made attempts to “sabotage” the event.

“The list goes on, and some of it I can’t even speak on,” Paul told reporters during a media scrum following Thursday’s pre-fight news conference. “But he’s been sending cease and desists for my content promoting this fight, and just doing things behind the scenes that are really shady. And we’re just finding out more and more stuff as the promotion goes on. I’m sure I’ll speak on it more at a later date.”

While Paul would not get into the specifics of White’s alleged actions, he explained why he believes the UFC boss has targeted him ahead of the toughest fight of his young professional boxing career.

“I think it’s because I’m the No. 1 figurehead that is exposing his business model and how much of a shark he is and how poorly he treats his fighters,” Paul said. “He said I wouldn’t fight Anderson Silva, who is one of UFC’s greats, and now here I am fighting him. And he largely, in part, promoted that. He’s the reason why I took this fight, is to prove him wrong and shut him the hell up.”

Paul has been vocal in calling for improving fighters’ rights, and their salaries. He has also challenged White to change how he treats fighters under the UFC banner.

Recently, White has been dismissive of Paul, but he did weigh in on the Silva matchup when the fight was in the process of being finalized. However, as the back-and-forth between the two continued, White grew tired of questions about the boxing YouTuber.

“He’s also telling reporters not to talk about me because he doesn’t want my fights to be big,” Paul said. “He wants to be the only cash cow in town. He wants to run the fight game and I’m a threat to him being able to do that.”

Earlier this year, when White was more accepting of questions about Paul, he advised him to leave his business partner Nakisa Bidarian, who was a former accountant for the UFC.

With everything Paul claims he has been through, he says he has found motivation in the attention from White.

“There’s been some big fires, but I can’t really talk about it,” Paul said. “I’m sure it’ll – the truth always comes out. … What he doesn’t realize is he’s just adding fuel to the fire. But he’s trying to do anything he can to stop me, but it is cool that I am so on his radar that he feels threatened enough to care this much to try and sabotage my event.”

For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.

[lawrence-related id=33738,33716,33694,33691,33682,33667]

VIDEO: Jake Paul, Anderson Silva make weight for pay-per-view clash

VIDEO: Jake Paul and Anderson Silva on Friday made weight for their pay-per-view fight Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.

[mm-video type=video id=01ggfta1ke94btbmfd5m playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ggfta1ke94btbmfd5m/01ggfta1ke94btbmfd5m-01346c6fe8c5452d64451c95ac491756.jpg]

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva is now official.

Both fighters made weight for their 187-pound fight Saturday. Paul came in at 186.5, while Silva registered 186.1 on the scale Friday at Desert Diamond Arena near Phoenix.

Watch Paul and Silva and their trips to the scale in the video above.

The two are set to compete in an eight-round professional boxing bout at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Paul vs. Silva headlines the event. The main card starts at 9 p.m. ET/6p.m. PT on Showtime pay-per-view.

For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.

VIDEO: Jake Paul, Anderson Silva make weight for pay-per-view clash

VIDEO: Jake Paul and Anderson Silva on Friday made weight for their pay-per-view fight Saturday in Glendale, Arizona.

[mm-video type=video id=01ggfta1ke94btbmfd5m playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ggfta1ke94btbmfd5m/01ggfta1ke94btbmfd5m-01346c6fe8c5452d64451c95ac491756.jpg]

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva is now official.

Both fighters made weight for their 187-pound fight Saturday. Paul came in at 186.5, while Silva registered 186.1 on the scale Friday at Desert Diamond Arena near Phoenix.

Watch Paul and Silva and their trips to the scale in the video above.

The two are set to compete in an eight-round professional boxing bout at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz. Paul vs. Silva headlines the event. The main card starts at 9 p.m. ET/6p.m. PT on Showtime pay-per-view.

For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.

Doctor Mike: Family physician, fan favorite and now professional fighter

Doctor Mike: Family physician, fan favorite and now professional fighter.

“Doctor Mike” Varshavski didn’t need professional boxing. He had plenty on his plate.

He’s a successful family physician in Summit, New Jersey. And he became (and remains) an internet sensation in the mid-2010s, when People Magazine named him The Sexiest Doctor Alive. More than 10 million subscribe to his medical-themed YouTube channel, on which he promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Boxing? That was a happy accident, one that has provided him with yet another platform to spread his gospel and gain experience he believes makes him a better doctor.

Varshavski, who makes his pro debut against Chris Avila in a four-rounder on the Jake Paul-Anderson Silva pay-per-view card Saturday in Glendale, Arizona, was in a dark place during his first year of medical school in New York more than a decade ago.

His father, a medical doctor in Russia, had moved his family to the United States when Mikhail was 6 years old. However, he had to return to medical school in his adopted country to practice here. His mother, a mathematics professor, swept floors to help make ends meet while her husband earned his degree.

Finally, with their lives back on track and their bright son on his way to following in his father’s footsteps, Varshavski’s mother died of leukemia.

“That was a rough year for my father and I,” Varshavski told Boxing Junkie. “… Now that my father graduated and started his business it was time for them to enjoy the fruits of his labor. But in that year, maybe a year and a half, my father lost him mom, his dad and his wife of 20-plus years.

“It was a really dark time for us as a family. I wasn’t doing much at that time. I wasn’t physical. My mental health was suffering.”

That’s when, out of desperation, he decided to try the boxing-for-fitness craze that continues to this day, meeting his longtime trainer – Thomas Baldwin – in the process.

Varshavski took to the sport and spent years training to stay in shape, even sparring as his skill level improved. However, a full decade into the experience, he still had no intention of fighting competitively.

Then Baldwin pointed something out: YouTubers like Jake and Logan Paul were using their fame as an inroad into big-time boxing. Why not Doctor Mike?

Varshavski, a 6-foot-3 light heavyweight, took part in his one and only amateur bout this past May, outpointing influencer iDubbbz. The doctor’s hobby turned into a passion and then a second career.

“My trainer said, ‘Mike, I think you have a chance to do something great, and I’m willing to go with you on that journey,’” Varshavski said. “… He didn’t just think I could do it. He just thought he believes in my skill so much so that he thinks there’s no one we can’t stop, we can’t beat. And I believe him.

“Thomas is an amazing boxing trainer, coach, friend, brother, all of that. And if he tells me I need to change something, if he thinks I’m ready for something, I put full trust in him.”

An obvious question: Why would a doctor who understands the dangers of boxing – particularly to the brain – be willing to step into the cauldron?

One, Varshavski fell in love with boxing. It’s part of who he is now. And, two, he has and continues to put in the work to learn how to protect himself as much as possible in an inherently risky sport.

As he put it, life is dangerous; the objective is to manage the risk.

“The goal here is to encourage people to live to the top of their potential, to stay active, to take a boxing class, to hit the heavy bag, to be aware of their fitness. And all the benefits they’re going to get from that will be immense,” he said.

“There are risks in everything we do. We just have to be aware of those risks. I discuss with my patients the activities they’re involved in. I tell them the risks, I don’t tell them what to do. I don’t tell them that they need to stop doing something or start doing something.

“I tell them the risks and as cognitive adults they make their decision.”

Varshavski sounded more like a fighter than a doctor at times during the interview for this article. For example, he could’ve been any Top 10-ranked contender talking when he described how well training camp went for his fight with Avila and that he feels he’s at the top of his game.

At the same time, he’s unique. Of course, he wants to succeed in the ring but he doesn’t dream of becoming pound-for-pound king. And he certainly doesn’t need the money. He’s donating his entire purse on Saturday to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem.

No, Varshavski is one of a kind: a hybrid medical professional and social media star who happens to box. The message he wants to send? You can be or do whatever you want if you pour your heart and soul into it.

“I want to show people that you’re not just a single word in the dictionary,” he said. “I’m not just a boxer, I’m not just a doctor. I’m a human first that is capable of many things. And so are all my viewers, patients and friends.”

Doctor Mike: Family physician, fan favorite and now professional fighter

Doctor Mike: Family physician, fan favorite and now professional fighter.

“Doctor Mike” Varshavski didn’t need professional boxing. He had plenty on his plate.

He’s a successful family physician in Summit, New Jersey. And he became (and remains) an internet sensation in the mid-2010s, when People Magazine named him The Sexiest Doctor Alive. More than 10 million subscribe to his medical-themed YouTube channel, on which he promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Boxing? That was a happy accident, one that has provided him with yet another platform to spread his gospel and gain experience he believes makes him a better doctor.

Varshavski, who makes his pro debut against Chris Avila in a four-rounder on the Jake Paul-Anderson Silva pay-per-view card Saturday in Glendale, Arizona, was in a dark place during his first year of medical school in New York more than a decade ago.

His father, a medical doctor in Russia, had moved his family to the United States when Mikhail was 6 years old. However, he had to return to medical school in his adopted country to practice here. His mother, a mathematics professor, swept floors to help make ends meet while her husband earned his degree.

Finally, with their lives back on track and their bright son on his way to following in his father’s footsteps, Varshavski’s mother died of leukemia.

“That was a rough year for my father and I,” Varshavski told Boxing Junkie. “… Now that my father graduated and started his business it was time for them to enjoy the fruits of his labor. But in that year, maybe a year and a half, my father lost him mom, his dad and his wife of 20-plus years.

“It was a really dark time for us as a family. I wasn’t doing much at that time. I wasn’t physical. My mental health was suffering.”

That’s when, out of desperation, he decided to try the boxing-for-fitness craze that continues to this day, meeting his longtime trainer – Thomas Baldwin – in the process.

Varshavski took to the sport and spent years training to stay in shape, even sparring as his skill level improved. However, a full decade into the experience, he still had no intention of fighting competitively.

Then Baldwin pointed something out: YouTubers like Jake and Logan Paul were using their fame as an inroad into big-time boxing. Why not Doctor Mike?

Varshavski, a 6-foot-3 light heavyweight, took part in his one and only amateur bout this past May, outpointing influencer iDubbbz. The doctor’s hobby turned into a passion and then a second career.

“My trainer said, ‘Mike, I think you have a chance to do something great, and I’m willing to go with you on that journey,’” Varshavski said. “… He didn’t just think I could do it. He just thought he believes in my skill so much so that he thinks there’s no one we can’t stop, we can’t beat. And I believe him.

“Thomas is an amazing boxing trainer, coach, friend, brother, all of that. And if he tells me I need to change something, if he thinks I’m ready for something, I put full trust in him.”

An obvious question: Why would a doctor who understands the dangers of boxing – particularly to the brain – be willing to step into the cauldron?

One, Varshavski fell in love with boxing. It’s part of who he is now. And, two, he has and continues to put in the work to learn how to protect himself as much as possible in an inherently risky sport.

As he put it, life is dangerous; the objective is to manage the risk.

“The goal here is to encourage people to live to the top of their potential, to stay active, to take a boxing class, to hit the heavy bag, to be aware of their fitness. And all the benefits they’re going to get from that will be immense,” he said.

“There are risks in everything we do. We just have to be aware of those risks. I discuss with my patients the activities they’re involved in. I tell them the risks, I don’t tell them what to do. I don’t tell them that they need to stop doing something or start doing something.

“I tell them the risks and as cognitive adults they make their decision.”

Varshavski sounded more like a fighter than a doctor at times during the interview for this article. For example, he could’ve been any Top 10-ranked contender talking when he described how well training camp went for his fight with Avila and that he feels he’s at the top of his game.

At the same time, he’s unique. Of course, he wants to succeed in the ring but he doesn’t dream of becoming pound-for-pound king. And he certainly doesn’t need the money. He’s donating his entire purse on Saturday to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem.

No, Varshavski is one of a kind: a hybrid medical professional and social media star who happens to box. The message he wants to send? You can be or do whatever you want if you pour your heart and soul into it.

“I want to show people that you’re not just a single word in the dictionary,” he said. “I’m not just a boxer, I’m not just a doctor. I’m a human first that is capable of many things. And so are all my viewers, patients and friends.”

Anderson Silva agrees to launch fighter advocacy group alongside Jake Paul if he loses to him

Anderson Silva has agreed to launch fighter advocacy group alongside Jake Paul if he loses to the YouTuber on Saturday.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jake Paul is known to make bets ahead of his boxing matches and that turned out to be no different for his bout vs. Anderson Silva.

At a pre-fight news conference held Thursday at Gila River Arena, the same venue that hosts Saturday’s event, Paul revealed his newest wagering terms.

“I have a bet,” Paul said eagerly. “I have a bet. I have a bet for you, Anderson. It’s a good one. It’s a good one. So, look. If you win, I’ll give you something that you probably want.”

Silva interjected, “No tattoos. No tattoos.”

Paul continued on, “If you win, I will fight you in an MMA fight.”

Silva laughed at the initial offer, “Woah, you so smart because you know I don’t fight MMA anymore. You so smart.”

Paul tweaked and countered, “Kickboxing. I got you.”

Silva seemed much more OK with that offer, “Kickboxing?” Silva said. All right, kickboxing.”

But what if Paul wins? He laid out the catch, “If I win, me and you come together to create a united fighter’s association to help UFC fighters get better pay and better healthcare,” Paul said. “You become the interim president and we unite to help these fighters once and for all.

Without hesitation, Silva was in, “Deal,” Silva said. “Deal. Deal.”

The two shook – a friendly gentlemen’s bet solidified.

 

Since his entrance into the world of combat sports, Paul has taken aim at the UFC and its president Dana White, particularly over the issues of MMA fighter pay and healthcare. While Paul continues to inject the issue into public conversation, followers of his career question if his motivation is for attention and promotion or to actually fix perceived issues.

Either way, it’s a reoccurring theme for Paul. As for Silva, he’s largely taken the middle ground when it comes to fighter pay and healthcare. Now, he’s seemingly one loss away from taking a side.

For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.

[lawrence-related id=33694,33691,33682,33667,33147]

Anderson Silva agrees to launch fighter advocacy group alongside Jake Paul if he loses to him

Anderson Silva has agreed to launch fighter advocacy group alongside Jake Paul if he loses to the YouTuber on Saturday.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Jake Paul is known to make bets ahead of his boxing matches and that turned out to be no different for his bout vs. Anderson Silva.

At a pre-fight news conference held Thursday at Gila River Arena, the same venue that hosts Saturday’s event, Paul revealed his newest wagering terms.

“I have a bet,” Paul said eagerly. “I have a bet. I have a bet for you, Anderson. It’s a good one. It’s a good one. So, look. If you win, I’ll give you something that you probably want.”

Silva interjected, “No tattoos. No tattoos.”

Paul continued on, “If you win, I will fight you in an MMA fight.”

Silva laughed at the initial offer, “Woah, you so smart because you know I don’t fight MMA anymore. You so smart.”

Paul tweaked and countered, “Kickboxing. I got you.”

Silva seemed much more OK with that offer, “Kickboxing?” Silva said. All right, kickboxing.”

But what if Paul wins? He laid out the catch, “If I win, me and you come together to create a united fighter’s association to help UFC fighters get better pay and better healthcare,” Paul said. “You become the interim president and we unite to help these fighters once and for all.

Without hesitation, Silva was in, “Deal,” Silva said. “Deal. Deal.”

The two shook – a friendly gentlemen’s bet solidified.

 

Since his entrance into the world of combat sports, Paul has taken aim at the UFC and its president Dana White, particularly over the issues of MMA fighter pay and healthcare. While Paul continues to inject the issue into public conversation, followers of his career question if his motivation is for attention and promotion or to actually fix perceived issues.

Either way, it’s a reoccurring theme for Paul. As for Silva, he’s largely taken the middle ground when it comes to fighter pay and healthcare. Now, he’s seemingly one loss away from taking a side.

For complete coverage of the card, check out MMA Junkie’s event page for Paul vs. Silva.

[lawrence-related id=33694,33691,33682,33667,33147]