Jake
Paul appears to have started a new trend about fighters
offering tattoos for rematches.
At UFC
126 in 2011, Anderson
Silva (34-11 MMA, 2-1 Box) defended his middleweight throne
against Vitor
Belfort (26-14, 1 NC MMA; 1-0 Box) in the main event, with “The
Spider” landing a spectacular front kick to put Belfort away in the
first round. For years, the combat sports community has pondered a
rematch between the Brazilian legends, and now, both men are in the
boxing world. Silva, 46, captured a decision victory over Julio
Cesar Chavez Jr. to prove his jaunt was no game. Belfort has since
followed his lead.
Silva’s former foe, the 44-year-old Belfort, will be making his
return to the boxing ring on Sept. 11 against Oscar De La Hoya. On
the same night, Silva will be squaring off against Tito Ortiz.
Both matches will be professional, eight-round bouts, within 10
pounds of the other – Belfort’s at 185 pounds, while Silva’s is a
195-pound contest. Should both get their hand raised, some of noted
that their schedules will line up and the time could be right to
face once again. Silva was asked on Tuesday by AgFight about such a
matchup.
“Forget about that,” Silva said confidently. “Nothing can be more
beautiful than what I did that night, forget about that, it’s
over.”
“The Spider” did not completely shut the door on that bout, raising
an idea that came to life in the recent Jake Paul vs.
Tyron
Woodley tilt.
“If he insists, I’ll have to do just like Jake Paul,
asking him to tattoo my name on his chest,” Silva said with a
laugh. “’I love Anderson,’ or ‘Spider kick,’ or better, ‘I love
Spider kick.’ Maybe if he does that, we can reconsider.”