Anderson Silva, after several years away from his UFC career, recently came to the defense of his former employer Dana White amid recent scrutiny.
This Friday, Silva will face off against ex-UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley on the undercard of the Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua event. Originally, Silva was set to fight his long-time UFC rival Chris Weidman in November, but the fight was canceled after Weidman pulled out due to a torn biceps injury.
Ahead of his upcoming fight in Miami, the Brazilian athlete spoke up in support of Dana White, who has faced criticism from the boxing community since transitioning into the sport.
Earlier this year, White announced his move into boxing with the creation of TKO Boxing, hosting his first event in September featuring Canelo Alvarez versus Terrence Crawford. His approach has sparked controversy due to his attempt to operate TKO Boxing without adhering to the traditional Muhammad Ali method, which has drawn criticism. Despite not having a close relationship with White during his UFC days, Silva defended him, emphasizing the business side of things.
“No, Dana hasn’t called me. I haven’t spoken to him in a long time, but a lot of people criticize Dana, and say bad things about him. But it’s business—he’s a businessman,” Silva said during his pre-fight press conference on Friday. “It’s hard to judge Dana as good or bad—it’s about the numbers. Numbers don’t lie. Why would Dana keep you around if you don’t hit those numbers? Dana is Dana, and he’s the boss.”
He added, “Boxing is a different sport… It’s an old sport, and a lot of people deserve respect. It’s not just about money and putting together the best matches.”
Silva also addressed critics of Jake Paul, with whom he spent eight rounds in the boxing ring before passionately defending him. The 50-year-old called Paul a “real fighter” and praised how Paul has changed the game, ahead of what is considered the biggest fight of Paul’s career.
Fan Take: This development is significant for fight fans because it highlights the evolving relationship between MMA and boxing, with major figures like Dana White crossing over and facing new challenges. Silva’s support underscores the complexities behind the business of combat sports, suggesting that blending these worlds could reshape the future landscape of fighting.
