5 reasons why Anderson Silva will beat Jake Paul
On October 29, Anderson Silva will clash with the face of the influencer boxing world, Jake Paul. A former YouTuber whose career included a two-season stint as Dirk Mann on the Disney Channel show Bizaardvark, Jake Paul has emerged as one of the most divisive figures in the realm of combat sports.
Countless UFC fighters have expressed their displeasure over Paul's presence, claiming that the income the 25-year-old earns is an insult compared to the lower pay earned by mixed martial artists and boxers who have dedicated their entire lives to combat sports. Furthermore, many fighters are incensed by Paul's continued callouts of established MMA fighters.
Many have also called into question Paul's choice of opponents as he has only ever faced foes who are significantly smaller than him. Even after he defeated former MMA world champions Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley, much was made about the two fighters being older wrestlers with poor striking and smaller frames.
Calls for Paul to face an actual boxer were seemingly answered when he agreed to a matchup with Tyson Fury's younger brother, Tommy Fury. Unfortunately, the bout collapsed, forcing Paul to face former foe Tyron Woodley in a rematch. A second attempt at booking a matchup with Fury was made later, yet it fell through again, as did the subsequent bout with Hasim Rahman Jr.
Finally, an opponent was found for the influencer. Anderson Silva is known for his dazzling striking, recently defeating former world champion boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. Taking certain variables into consideration, this list details five reasons why Anderson Silva will defeat Jake Paul when both men meet in the squared circle next month.
#5. Anderson Silva's counter to the jab
Jake Paul's entire game is built around the jab. He consistently uses it as a distance-measuring tool. This is a classic use of the jab. If a fighter can touch their opponent with their jab, then they're within range to land their right cross or right overhand. This is exactly what Jake Paul does as he builds off of his jab while benefitting from his superior height and length to avoid being counterpunched by his opponents.
14 years ago today, Anderson Silva entered the Matrix against Forrest Griffin
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Unfortunately, Paul's arsenal does not consist of much else. Due to his overreliance on the jab, Jake Paul will encounter a frustrating puzzle against Anderson Silva as 'The Spider' has made a career out of countering jabs.
Not only does he interrupt his opponent's jab with his own, he also moves his head off the center-line. Anderson Silva's interrupting jab is designed to stop his opponents from building their combinations. If every time 'The Problem Child' throws a jab and is interrupted by Silva's jabs, he won't be able to land his follow-up right hand, leaving him in no man's land.