A prominent figure enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame contends that Jake Paul merits recognition for his performance against Anthony Joshua.
The boxing match between Paul and Joshua took place last Saturday. Paul was originally slated to compete against Gervonta “Tank” Davis, but he withdrew the considerably lighter boxer from the card following allegations of domestic violence. Joshua then accepted the bout, securing a decisive knockout win in the sixth round, which resulted in a fractured jaw for Paul.
Following the highly anticipated boxing event, Anderson Silva expressed his view that Paul deserves commendation for his resilience throughout the fight. “The Spider” lauded his past opponent during the post-bout press conference (as reported by MMAFighting).
“My assessment is that Jake has shown significant improvement and is performing well,” Anderson stated. “I believe Jake’s performance was exceptional,” he added. “The primary acclaim belongs to Joshua, not Jake. However, people ought to show Jake respect, understand? Consider if Jake had been somewhat [larger] and had more preparation time for this contest. I truly think Jake has advanced considerably; he warrants respect. I’m not just saying this because I’m associated with this organization, but because Jake — people truly need to respect Jake. Every participant who steps into the ring deserves respect.”
Notably, Silva also participated in the undercard of the Paul vs. Joshua event, where he secured a technical knockout victory in the second round against former UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley.
In his interview with Ariel Helwani after the fight, Paul indicated his intention to keep boxing but confirmed he would be taking a hiatus for recuperation. Paul was absent from the post-fight press conference due to a hospital visit for his jaw ailment. Medical imaging confirmed a severe fracture, necessitating his recovery period through the upcoming festive season and the initial three months of 2026.
Joshua, for his part, acknowledged Paul’s efforts and even put forth a potential opponent for “El Gallo’s” subsequent bout. Joshua suggested that a contest featuring Paul against Ryan Garcia could be a viable option.
