What to expect from veteran Anderson Silva on Paul vs Joshua undercard

At 50 years old, Anderson Silva will be taking another walk to the ring. The Spider is set to be back in the squared-circle this Friday, December 19, as part of the undercard of Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua, facing off against Tyron Woodley

From the cage to the ring

Silva was the UFC Middleweight champion from 2016-2019, making him the longest reigning champion in UFC history. He went 34-11 with one no contest during his MMA career span. 

Although he has experience from his years prior to MMA, this will be the Brazilian superstar’s fifth professional boxing bout - holding a record of 3-2, with victories over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tito Ortiz.

He fights in a southpaw stance, with the same fluidity, counterstriking, and distance control that lead him to dominate the UFC.

Both Silva and Woodley excelled in MMA, with Tyron holding a championship in the welterweight division from 2016-2019. After their time in the UFC, both athletes turned to boxing - both having fought and lost to Friday's headliner, Jake Paul. 

The Spider had his last bout last year, an exhibition match against formal rival Chael Sonnen that led to a draw. Woodley's only two career boxing matches were against Paul - the first, losing by split decision, and the second, losing by knockout. Esther Lin/ SHOWTIME

The Spider is still venomous

Regardless of his age and the stage of his career that he’s in, Silva remains a major threat to any opponent. He is the type of fighter not defined by raw speed or sheer power, but by his timing. 

His sense of distance remains elite, and ability to make opponents miss by millimetres is genius. The Spider’s boxing performances against Julio César Chávez Jr. and Tito Ortiz showed that his fundamentals can live within MMA or boxing worlds just the same.

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What to watch for, and what we expect

We expect Silva will begin the fight patiently, using feints and unorthodox timing to draw Woodley into reacting and showing his arsenal early. Baiting his opponent to move out of line and then punishing him for it.

Anderson will use his reach to keep Tyron at a comfortable distance, aiming to hit without getting hit. Always a showman, when Silva get's comfortable, you can expect him to step into a violent dance around Woodley.

Woodley can be tight and hesitant, and that’s exactly what Silva’s style is designed to unravel. Flowing around your enemy and crashing down when the moment presents itself, like water.

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