Jake Paul has found his next big-time boxing match as he will go up against legendary UFC fighter Anderson Silva.
Paul and Siva agreed to terms and will face off on Oct. 29 in Phoenix in eight three-minute rounds.
This announcement comes after Paul was supposed to fight Hasim Rahman Jr. at Madison Square Garden but the bout was cancelled after Paul's promotional team said that Rahman Jr. did not intend to honour the contracted weight limit. Rahman had signed a contract July 5 to weigh a maximum of 200 pounds but he had only lost one pound since weighing 216 and the New York State Athletic Commission said it would not sanction the bout at less than 205 pounds.
Paul was originally set to face Tommy Fury, who was forced to pull out. The YouTube star-turned-boxer then moved on to Rahman, the son of the former heavyweight champion who had fought entirely at heavyweight in his 13 pro bouts, weighing as much as 278 pounds.
Paul has not fought since last December when he beat former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley by knockout.
Silva has a proven track record as one of the best pound-for-pound MMA fighters in the world, holding the UFC record for the most consecutive victories ever in the promotion with 16.
"I know that in life everything has its purpose," Silva said in a statement. "Nothing comes just by chance. So, I thank God for my health, my family and my team for providing me with this opportunity to continue doing the thing that I love the most. I believe this will be the biggest combat event of the year and will truly make history in the sport forever. See you on October 29."
As a boxer, Silva is 3-1 for his career, beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and knocking out former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz.
--With files from the Associated Press.
