International superstar Jake “The Problem Child” Paul finally got MMA legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva to agree to wager the result of their must-see eight-round cruiserweight match on Saturday, October 29 in a Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) event live on SHOWTIME PPV® at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River) just outside of Phoenix.
During the final press conference on Thursday, Paul said that if Silva wins, he would face Silva in a kick-boxing match – a competition that would put Paul at a severe disadvantage. Paul said if he wins, he and Silva would create together a united fighter’s association to help UFC and all MMA fighters get better pay and healthcare.
“You become the interim president and we unite,” Paul said.
“Deal!” Silva responded, as the two rose from their seats on the dais and shook hands in the middle of the stage as fans applauded.
The blockbuster event between the two generational talents – Paul is the YouTube personality-turned boxer who rode into Wednesday’s media workout on horseback while Silva is the famed MMA legend with UFC records and accolades on his resume – has resonated with fans. Paul-Silva is already the highest grossing boxing event for ticket revenue in the history of Desert Diamond Arena and the second highest-grossing ticket event across all combat sports with two days until fight night.
The five-fight pay-per-view event is widely available for purchase and live streaming in the U.S. at SHOWTIME.com/ppv and via the SHOWTIME® app. The event is also available on major cable, satellite, and telco television providers throughout the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $59.95 (SRP). Tickets are still on sale and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. The press conference on Thursday was streamed on the SHOWTIME SPORTS YouTube channel, Jake Paul YouTube channel, Jake Paul TikTok channel and the SHOWTIME Boxing Facebook page.
Paul and Silva were joined by the eight other fighters at the press conference appearing on the SHOWTIME PPV. Here is what they had to say before they meet in the ring on Saturday:
JAKE PAUL
“For sure I have more pressure on my shoulders. Just being the ‘A’ side, and the amount of sh– I talk I think the entire MMA community is waiting for me to lose. They want me to lose. I just have so many more big ideas and plans in this sport and I just plan on being here forever. This is the start of that, and the pressure is on.
“I’m the young guy and he’s really, really good and has more experience. He has the weight, the height, the reach so all the odds are stacked against me. He’s very fast, very technical, very rangy, good defense, good movement. I’ll have to be perfect on Saturday night. I know I’m capable of doing that but I’m ready for war. Skill aside, it might come down to who wants it more and I believe that’s me.
“When you get into the ring you have to be ruthless, savage, be willing to do whatever it takes during the darkest moments in the ring. You have to be a killer or you will be killed, so that’s where the problem child comes in. I’m a problem for anyone that’s in the ring with me. I can put you out at any time. I’m a different person. I don’t care about consequences when I’m in the alter ego and I come alive when I enter the ring. It’s not Jake. It’s someone else that I tap into.
“Logan was like, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ Now you think I’m going to win.”
ANDERSON SILVA
“When you fight in combat sports you have to be a little crazy. I’m a little crazy, too. This is not for everyone. Everyone here are special guys and for sure everyone here is a little crazy.
“This is a competition and I’m training hard to make a great show for everyone. This fight is very special to me. I try to do my best because I love fighting and I love my job and now I’m free to do everything I like to do.
“I don’t believe this affects my legacy, in my journey in combat sports. I try to do my best to give something to the new generation. Jake and I are bringing two big generations together and people think this will affect my legacy or affect Jake’s legacy, but I don’t believe that because it’s about passion and love.
“Everyone always asks, ‘Are you sure you want to face Jake Paul? He’s beating a lot of guys in the UFC.’ I say, ‘Yeah, I think I’m ready for that. He’s younger than me but I’m a superhero.’”
ASHTON SYLVE
“I feel like in the next two or three years I’ll be ready to fight for a title or be a contender. I’m in my eighth fight and I’m in the co-main event to a Jake Paul fight.”
BRAULIO RODRIGUEZ
“My mom is a fan of Jake Paul. I’m going to give the fans a show. I know what I’m capable of doing and I’m going to give the fans a show. I’m up to the challenge.”
ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO
“I am thrilled to represent Mexico. I’m so excited. I’m glad to have a grudge match to decide who’s truly better. I can promise you I’m going to represent Mexico with all I have, and this fight is going to be great.”
ANTONIO NIEVES
“When we fought six years ago, he was a last-minute opponent to the card we were fighting on. The fight was a draw and now to be in this event with Jake Paul from my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, it means a lot for me. He’s not a last-minute opponent so we expect a better fight and we’re looking for the victory.”
URIAH HALL
“Fighters fight and it changes when you have to go out there and you have to adjust. We’re both fighters at the end of the day. He’s a powerful dude. I know he’s confident. You can’t really focus on those outside negative affirmations. You have to stay present and I’m just looking forward to having some fun. He’s a challenge, it’s a step-up, it’s outside my comfort zone and I love a challenge.”
LE’VEON BELL
“I didn’t expect this to happen. But over the course of my NFL career, me picking up boxing as cardio, I just fell in love with it. And once I started sparring and competing with other fighters, then I knew this was what I wanted to do.”
CHRIS AVILA
“This is just another fight week and it’s not any different than Bellator or UFC.”
- MIKE VARSHAVSKI
“When I told my patients and my doctor colleagues [that I was fighting], they were considering admitting me to the psych ward. But they saw my passion for the sport and the reason I fell in love with boxing – as I said in other interviews, 2010 was a rough year where I lost both of my grandparents and my mother. It was a dark time and boxing allowed me an escape from that dark time.”
STEPHEN ESPINOZA
“I’ve been a lifelong boxing fan. I’ve been in the sport working for almost 25 years. I’ve seen a lot of things, a lot of unusual things, but I never would have predicted an event like this.
“People ask all the time, ‘Why Jake? Why put 35 years of credibility in the sport on the line in this event?’ Well, for those of you who have spent any time with Jake, you can see he’s demonstrated a commitment to the sport, a respect for the sport, that can’t be denied. He promised us he would be taking on a tougher challenge with each successive fight and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
