‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Anderson Silva ‘You’re the best”: BJ Penn hails legend

‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Anderson Silva ‘You’re the best”: BJ Penn and Daniel Cormier hail 46-year-old UFC legend after his split-decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in his first boxing match for 16 years

  • Anderson Silva defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in only his third professional bout
  • Silva was congratulated by fellow MMA Legends Daniel Cormier and Frank Mir 
  • Jake Paul also congratulated Silva ahead of his bout with Tyron Woodley 
  • Silva lost his professional boxing debut but now has a 2-1 record in the sport  


UFC legend Anderson Silva made a successful return to the boxing ring on Saturday when he defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Silva, a former UFC middleweight champion had previously boxed twice prior to becoming one of MMA’s all time greats, and always expressed a desire to lace up the gloves once again. 

It appeared the 46-year-old had been overly ambitious after agreeing to box a former champion; but ‘The Spider’ proved the doubters wrong after winning the bout via a split decision.

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (right) defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Silva won the bout via a split decision in only his third professional boxing match

Silva won the bout via a split decision in only his third professional boxing match

Silva lost his debut professional bout in 1998, but now has a 2-1 record in the sport. 

The MMA community took to Twitter to congratulate the UFC legend on his sensational win.

Jake Paul who is set to take on former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in a boxing match tweeted: ‘Respect to Anderson Silva, would be an honor to have him vs Roy Jones Jr on the same card as Tyron and I’ 

Former MMA referee ‘Big’ John McCarthy also hailed Silva’s performance tweeting: ‘Congratulations @spideranderson you are a stud!’

 

Silva boxed from a southpaw stance and by the third round was content to lower his guard and taunt Chavez Jr to engage.

By the fourth round Chavez Jr was struggling to make any impact and by the sixth the MMA legend was in complete control.

Two out of the three judges scored the bout in favour of Silva who last competed in the ring in 2005.

Former UFC lightweight champion BJ Penn also congratulated Silva tweeting: ‘I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again @SpiderAnderson you’re the best.’