The Anderson Silva next fight news has finally arrived and the UFC legend is scheduled to fight for the final time this Saturday. And waiting for him in his return to the boxing ring will be his greatest MMA rival, Chael Sonnen.
Related: UFC tonight – Fight card, betting odds, and watch times for Saturday’s UFC event
Who will Anderson Silva next fight be against?
The UFC legend last competed in October 2022. Unfortunately, he came up short against boxing lightning rod Jake Paul by unanimous decision. However, he will look to get back in the win column when he competes for the final time this weekend in a boxing bout against long-time rival, and current pal, Chael Sonnen.
How to watch Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen 3 in June
- Silva vs. Sonnen III will headline a Spaten Fight Night boxing card on June 15
- The event will take place at a small venue for 600 VIP guests in Sao Paulo, Brazil
- The bout will air exclusively on Globo TV
Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen preview
While things have cooled between Silva and Sonnen in recent years, the pair once had one of the most bitter rivalries in UFC history as they twice fought for the middleweight title in the early 2010s. Now, they will put on a trilogy bout in June, but this time in a boxing ring.
The history: Sonnen pushed and prodded Silva from afar for months before eventually getting a title fight in 2010 at UFC 117. It was a legendary bout that was inducted into the fight wing of the UFC Hall-of-Fame in 2023 after Sonnen was headed to a shocking upset win if not for a final-round comeback by the “Spider.”
They then had a rematch two years later at UFC 148 and the Brazilian soundly beat his rival in just two rounds by technical knockout.
The send-off: This is very much being set up to be a grand send-off for the Brazilian MMA icon. Silva was already better than the American in MMA, and in a straight-up boxing match is light years ahead, even at 49. Sonnen knows the role he is there to play and will do it gladly as a final gift to the man he now calls a friend.
The bottom line: For long-time fans of Anderson Silva this will be one final time to see the fight sports great compete and it hopefully will be a beautiful finale for the UFC legend.
Prediction: If there was ever a time when you might watch an obvious dive in a fight, it would be this one. Not because Silva needs it. He should be able to knock out Sonnen. However, since they are friends and the American wants to see his friend go out with a bang, don’t be shocked if one of the knockdowns he suffers is not worth the effort to get up from.
What makes Anderson Silva so popular?
The Spiders Web: At his peak, Anderson Silva was a truly special mixed martial artist. He was a competitor that had a legitimate aura akin to Mike Tyson in his prime. Silva was a talent that beat some of his opponents before they even reached the cage. He was also a fighter who for a long time defied age and was a pound-for-pound talent deep into his 30s.
- Anderson Silva record (MMA): 34-11 (23 knockouts, 3 submissions)
- Anderson Silva boxing record: 2-1 (1 knockout)
- Anderson Silva age: 49 years old
- Long before he competed in the UFC, Silva built his name in old-school MMA organizations like Pride FC, Cage Rage, Shooto, and Rumble on the Rock
- Silva became the UFC middleweight champion in his second fight in the Octagon
- Silva defended the 185-pound title a then-record 11 straight times
- During his unbeaten UFC run from ’06 to ’12, the Brazilian beat elite fighters and former world champions Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin, Demian Maia, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, and Forrest Griffin
- After dominating the sport as one of its pound-for-pound best for six years, he would go 1-7-1 in his next nine UFC fights. With two ending early from serious leg injuries
- Silva began his boxing career in 2021 by beating former middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. by a split decision.
- In September of 2021, the legend beat another former UFC great, Tito Ortiz, by first-round knockout to earn his second professional boxing victory
- Anderson Silva’s sons Kalyl and Gabriel are working their way up to become professional Muay Thai and kickboxing fighters.
Anderson Silva’s net worth
Money is often one of the greatest measuring sticks for a fighter’s success. As of 2022, Silva’s net worth is reported to be as much as $12 million.
Who ended Anderson Silva’s streak?
After winning 17 straight fights, and 12 consecutive title fights, Silva saw his legendary win streak come to an end at the hands of Chris Weidman in 2013 at UFC 162.
Why did Anderson Silva retire?
While Anderson Silva still competes competitively in boxing, he brought his MMA career to a close in 2020 after a three-fight losing streak and little left to gain from the rigors of being in the sport. He also tested positive for a banned substance in 2015 and suffered a gruesome leg injury two years before that.
