At the age of 50, UFC Hall of Famer Anderson Silva is still making a significant impact in the martial arts world. On Friday, Silva (4-2, 3 KOs) advanced his pro boxing career by defeating former UFC champion Tyron Woodley (0-3, 0 KOs) in the second round of a cruiserweight fight held at Miami’s Caseya Center. This six-round match was part of the undercard for the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua event.
In his first professional bout since a unanimous decision loss to Paul in 2022, Silva recovered from a slow start and pressed Woodley against the ropes. He paid homage to boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. by tapping his right foot with his glove, then used a feint to lower Woodley’s guard before landing a strong right uppercut from a southpaw stance. Silva then landed three quick hooks, knocking the 43-year-old Woodley down. Despite Woodley’s initial resistance to the referee’s count, the match was stopped at 1:33 of the second round after Silva showed sportsmanship by touching Woodley’s glove.
Silva credited his intense training camps with younger athletes for keeping him sharp, saying, “The players kicked my ass in training, but I came here and did my best. I’m very happy to be here and keep doing what I love.” This win adds to Silva’s impressive boxing resume as he nears the conclusion of his legendary MMA career. Previously, he secured a split decision victory over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2021 and knocked out MMA great Tito Ortiz in the first round three months later.
Silva also revealed plans to join the Beverly Hills police academy as a way to “give something back to America,” while confirming his intention to continue boxing. Originally set to fight Chris Weidman, Silva expressed eagerness for a rematch after Weidman withdrew due to an arm injury. Silva remains optimistic about future boxing opportunities and respects the sport deeply.
Woodley, a former UFC welterweight champion, has now been knocked out twice in three boxing matches. Reflecting on the stoppage, Woodley noted, “I’m used to MMA fighting with a shield. I was yelling at the coach, but he made the right decision to stop the fight.”
Fan Take: Anderson Silva’s success in professional boxing at 50 demonstrates his enduring skill and adaptability, inspiring fighters and fans alike. His transition into boxing highlights the growing crossover appeal between MMA and boxing, potentially opening doors for more high-profile matchups across combat sports.
