UFC icon Anderson Silva calls out Floyd Mayweather for exhibition and says ‘people need to respect’ Logan and Jake Paul
ANDERSON SILVA has called out Floyd Mayweather and said ‘people need to respect’ Logan and Jake Paul.
The Brazilian was last year released from the UFC and decided to instead continue his career in the ring.
It has seen Silva, 46, beat ex-boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez, 35, and knock out fellow MMA legend Tito Ortiz, 46.
Now, he has faced calls from fans to fight Mayweather, 44, who recently faced YouTuber Logan, 26, in an exhibition bout.
Silva told The MMA Hour: “When I finished the fight with Tito and I saw on my Twitter and my Instagram, everybody talking, ‘You need to fight with Mayweather!’
“I don’t know, that’s insane. I don’t know if I can fight on the same level as Mayweather but this is a challenge for me.
“I don’t know, maybe this happens or not. I’m prepared for that. I just try to do my best everyday and I think this is a good fight, me and Mayweather.
“Two big names and a different level. I go try to prove why I’m there to fight with Mayweather.
“I don’t know if this happens or not but I’m prepared for a good challenge for myself.”
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Mayweather officially retired as a professional in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 33, in ten rounds.
But only this June he returned for an exhibition bout against Logan , 26, which ended without a winner after no KO was scored.
Mayweather had no problems in giving away TWO STONE to Paul, who later survived all eight rounds.
And Silva admitted he would take a similar size advantage in against the boxing legend.
He said: “I’m too big, but Mayweather fought with Logan Paul and I can fight, too.
“I can [weigh] 189, 190 [pounds] and fight Mayweather. Let’s go see.
“Of course this fight were to happen, it’s a show fight, not a real fight, but I think that’s good. Let’s go see.”
Silva has been in talks to fight Logan before but more recently was considered as an opponent for brother Jake’s next fight.
People need to respect them both, because both kids are doing something special.
Anderson Silva on Jake and Logan Paul
Jake, 24, recently beat ex-UFC champ Tyron Woodley, 39, on points to improve his record to 4-0.
And Silva is still among the four names in the running to face the social media sensation.
He said: “A lot of people are talking about that. I’m just waiting. I’m preparing my mind.
“I’m preparing my body. I train everyday with my coaches to do my best. I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Despite being linked with both Paul brothers, Silva admitted he has nothing against the internet sensations.
He said: “I respect both kids. Because the kids are so smart, but I prefer to stay on my side training hard and don’t say something about the kids.
“Because the kids are doing a good job. People need to respect them both, because both kids are doing something special.
“The kids prove this world has changed.”