It’s almost tradition at this point for Jake Paul to up the stakes with his opponent before they step into the squared circle. With Anderson Silva, things are no different.
Less than two days out from the fight, Paul – a self-proclaimed advocate for better fighter pay in mixed martial arts – made a bet, and there could be some real implications for MMA should the ‘Problem Child’ emerge victorious on October 29th.
“I have a bet for you Anderson. It’s a good one,” Paul said.
“If you win, I will fight you in an MMA fight – OK, kickboxing – but if I win, me and you come together to create a united fighters association to help UFC fighters get better pay and better healthcare. You become the interim president and we unite to help these fighters once and for all.”
“Deal,” Silva agreed, “Not UFC fighters association, but MMA association to help all MMA fighters. Yeah, deal.”
Fighters unions (which is essentially what this sounds like) have been attempted in the past, though all efforts to date have failed before truly getting started. Though with Paul’s notoriety, financial backing, and a pioneer of the sport in Silva at the helm, there’s certainly a possibility this time might be different.
The AllStar MMA roundup
- UFC Vegas 63: The AllStar’s Best Bets curated by or resident Fight Analyst
- UFC Vegas 63: The boys from Propping You Up have the rest of your punts covered for the weekend
- Roxanne Modafferi: My experience as a UFC fighter in Abu Dhabi
- Feature: Are UFC fans inconsiderate? ‘You lose. You suck’
The best of the rest
- Arizona clears Anderson Silva to box Jake Paul after submitting ‘pristine’ MRI, additional statements – MMAFighting.com
- Alexander Volkanovski on Conor McGregor: ‘I take that lightweight title, he knows there’s an opportunity there’ – MMAJunkie.com
- T.J. Dillashaw says he’s not done after UFC 280 loss: ‘There’s no way I’d go out like that’ – MMAJunkie.com
- Joe Rogan believes Petr Yan beat Sean O’Malley at UFC 280: ‘I did think he won at the end of it’ – BloodyElbow.com
- Muay Thai legends Buakaw and Saenchai scheduled to meet in bare-knuckle ‘special rules’ fight at BKFC event in March – MMAFighting.com
The soapbox
McGregor goes live, looks like a heavyweight:
Some more (empty) promises being made:
This one was decent by Jones:
Khabib #1 coach:
A Sheikh sorts Muhammad Mokaev out with a personal submission of the fight bonus:
The best commentator in the sport re-ups his deal with the UFC:
Hasbulla watch:
The morning view
Ramona Pascual catches up with JHK ahead of UFC Vegas 64:
The Weasle gives his tips. for Paul vs Silva and UFC Vegas 64:
MMA On Point details fighters that transcended humanity after just one fight:
Relive Israel Adesanya vs Paulo Costa ahead f UFC 281:
Done deals
Friday
- None to note
Thursday
- Jay Perrin to fight Raul Rosas Jr. at UFC 282 on December 10th (per Iridium Sports)
Wednesday
- Joshua Weems debuts in short notice fight opposite Christian Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 63 (per Marcel Dorff)
Tuesday
- Bryce Mitchell to fight Ilia Topuria at UFC 282 on December 10th (per David Van Auken)
- K.Rodrigues out. Cody Durden will now fight Carlos Mota at UFC Vegas 63 on October 29th (per Guilherme Cruz)
Monday
- None to note
On this day in MMA…
On the 28th of October, 2017, the character of Colby Covington was born at UFC Fight Night 119 in São Paulo, Brazil.
Covington faced hometown hero Demian Maia in the co-main event of the Fight Night card. He was told prior to the fight that, regardless of the result, his expiring UFC contract would not be renewed due to a lack of interest in him from fans.
The contest itself was fun but altogether forgettable. Despite Maia opening up a cut on Covington’s eyebrow in the first, the American wrestler cruised to a unanimous decision victory with ease, stuffing the Brazilian’s takedowns effortlessly and piecing him up on the feet.
It was during the post-fight interview that history was made. Covington needed an edge, a reason for fans to become invested in him. In one of the most memorable Octagon interviews of all time, Covington turned heel and tore down the Brazilian spectators in attendance, labelling their country a ‘dump,’ and screamed for a title shot against Tyron Woodley. He wouldn’t get his fight against Woodley (yet), but he got his title shot; the following year against Rafael dos Anjos for the interim UFC welterweight championship. Safe to say there were no contract qualms following this bout.
