Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will now face former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in a featured boxing match on the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua card.
Silva was initially scheduled to face former rival Chris Weidman, but Weidman was forced to withdraw due to injury, Most Valuable Promotions announced.
The event is scheduled to take place Dec. 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
Brazil’s Silva, 50, has had three boxing matches since leaving MMA. He defeated former world champion Julio César Chávez Jr., and knocked out fellow former UFC champion Tito Ortiz, both in 2021, before losing a decision to Jake Paul in 2022.
“I believe that change always happens for a reason,” Silva stated in a press release. “I am focused on doing a good job. Always respecting my opponent and showing total respect to the boxing world.”
Woodley, 43, also has some boxing experience. The Ferguson, Mo., native lost an eight-round split decision to Jake Paul in August of 2021 and was knocked out by Paul in their rematch four months later.
