Jake Paul Beats Anderson Silva

Jake Paul Prevails Over Spider Silva in Glendale, Arizona

By Lauren Rodriguez

PHOENIX, AZ- The weather was warm for a fall Phoenix day as Gen-Z’ers and UFC fans swarmed the Glendale Desert Diamond Arena.

A highly anticipated match, unifying the phone tech savvy social media generation and combat sports fanatics, saw Jake “The Problem Child” Paul (6-0, 4 KO), a renowned YouTube and social media sensation, expand boxing's viewer demographic by turning streams into ticket sales. The young Ohio native not only accepted but sought out the challenge many seasoned fighters would never dare consider, fighting MMA legend Anderson “Spider” Silva.

The big screen visuals leading up to the main event were extremely on brand with Paul’s YouTube origins, including short comedic skits that humored the crowd.

Paul added an even grander entrance to his Showtime pay per view production by entering the arena’s outside plaza on horseback.

Making his Showtime boxing debut as a legendary UFC world champion, Anderson “Spider” Silva entered the ring in a shimmering black and gold set. The legend needed no introduction as the crowd roared for their icon who was soon to face a longtime fan almost half his age.

Coinciding with a comedic skit that played prior to entrances, Paul's ring attire matched the merch, his friend was forced to jump out of a plane and steal a motorcycle for, all to bring to the fans before Paul’s ring arrival.

The anticipation of an event that brings a legend and a legend-in-the-making together, could be felt around the arena. Those who despise Paul’s antics couldn’t wait to see the demise of a menacing voice in boxing. Those who love Paul, but grew up watching Silva as an inspirational legend, found it hard to consider a much older man fighting a YouTuber and possibly losing.

The Fight

The two held nothing back as they adjusted to each other’s strategies. Silva stood solid like a brick wall and it was uncertain whether the 22 year age difference would take a toll.

It was a left jab to Paul’s face that primarily sent the crowd into a roar only for Paul to respond with a menacing tongue out.

Silva’s strong form and unwavering stature seemed unbreakable as Paul appeared to tire himself looking for the right angle to open his opponent’s weak spots.

Paul landed heavy hitter punches but the victory wasn’t as close as he had made it seem in his press conference trash talking.

At moments Silva and Paul exchanged combos, with Paul at times trapped along the ropes. The crowd grew tense as Paul worked his heavily experienced opponent. It was at about 2:15 in the 8th round that Paul’s cross combination to the body and twice to the face knocked Silva backward and down.

Silva rose before the 10 second mark and completed the round but the knockdown had already iced the cake in Paul’s winning strategy.

The bout was scored a unanimous decision of 77-74, 78-73 all 3 judges placing Paul as an undefeated winner.

Paul uttered nothing but respect for his idol and disbelief in the actuality of winning over a legend in combat.

“I don’t think it’ll hit me for a couple of weeks. It feels like a movie… he [Silva] was the one that told me to chase my dreams,” stated Paul.

Now that Paul has begun cementing his name in the world of boxing, the young mogul has interest forming a union for fighters that will make sure they are receiving the healthcare they need working in such a physically grueling sport.

Paul has every intention of moving up the ladder as he looks to elevate the level of fighter he can take and ultimately become a champion.

“I want to fight anyone who is gunna give me a challenge, anyone who fans will be like, “ I don’t know who will win, it can go either way,” said Paul.

Ashton Sylvae V. Braulio Rodriguez

In the lightweight division, Ashton “H20” Sylvae (9-0, 9KO) faced Braulio Rodriguez (20-5,17 KO). The scheduled 8-round bout ended as quickly as it began. A left hook and the graze of an uppercut by Sylvae knocked Rodriguez down. Rodriguez tried to contest the end of the match but stumbled as he failed to convince referee Tony Zaino. The bout was deemed a KO at 1:01 of Round 1.

The 18-year-old rising star has already made a name for himself as he remains undefeated with 9 professional bouts and a Showtime co-main event under his belt. The teenager notes that although he has only professional fought a few years, he has been groomed by his father since adolescence to be a boxer.

Alejandro Santiago (27-3-5,14 KO) v Antonio Nieves (20-4-2, 11 KO)

From beginning to end the two put on a show for viewers to see Santiago maintained the speed of an energizer bunny as he doubled down on his jab. At times Santiago’s speedy combinations held his opponent along the ring as Nieves tried to work combinations that appeared to tire him out more than Santiago on the receiving end. Santiago’s proper footwork helped him glide along the ring as he swiftly moved around his opponents attempts. The scores were favoring Santiago and it was apparent he would soon get a knockout. The end of the 7th round solidified the loss for Nieves corner as they advised him to quit.

The bout was a TKO victory for Santiago.

Uriah Hall and Le’Veon Bell

The professional boxing debut of MMA fighter Uriah ‘Prime Time” Hall and former football player Le’Veon Bell generated crowd booing. The two had trouble finding each other's rhythm as they danced around the ring, Bell backtracking in a circle.

The bout was ultimately scored 40-36, Hall as winner.

Chris Avila v. Dr Mike Varshavaski

The Showtime pay per view opener of the night was between People Magazines ‘Sexiest doctor alive,” Varashavksi and Stockton, CA native Chris Avila (2-1).

The doctor surprised attendees as he fought almost as good as his nickname implies. The doctor moved Avila along the ropes; the height difference between the two seemed excessive. As Avila found his motion, he made his way into his lengthy opponents bubble where he began to work weak spots.

Avila’s hands morphed into a windmill and Varashavik spun trying to escape Avila’s final flurry of blows.

The bout was scored 40-36 a unanimous decision for Avila as winner.

Avila improves to 2-1.

The bout between Jeremiah “Dreamland” Milton (7-0, 6 KO) and Quentin Sumpter (5-1) went 5 of the scheduled 6 rounds.

Sumpter appeared gimmicky in his approach, exerting so much energy into his movements that dodging a single jab by Milton was enough to almost trip him. Sumpter attempted to run around his opponent only to realize Miltons reach covered every end of the ring. The bout was called to an early end at 39 seconds of the 5th round. The victory to Milton who improves to 7 victories, remaining undefeated.

Shadasia Greene (11-0, 10 KO) against Ogledis Suarez (30-5-1)

Suarez moved with hesitation as Green resembled a strong rooted oak tree, appearing as painful to punch as she is to get punched by. It could be seen by the 4th round that Suarez was losing energy and strength in her legs as she tried to break her opponent down. It was at the bottom of the 5h round that Suarez knew she could no longer continue and retired from the fight.

The bout was deemed a TKO by Greene, improving her to 11 victories while being undefeated.

The opener of the night was a bantamweight match between Eder Ortiz Jr (8-4, 4 KO) and Danny Barrios Flores (11-0, 3 KO).

The bout was cut short at 30 seconds in the 6h round as Barrios impaled a flurry of jabs as Ortiz struggled to stay up against the ropes. A TKO victory for Flores who remains undefeated.

(Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime)