Years after leaving the UFC, Anderson Silva has spoken out in defence of Dana White despite their often strained relationship during Silva’s fighting career.
Silva, a former UFC middleweight champion, is set to face ex-welterweight titleholder Tyron Woodley on Friday night on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua in Miami. The bout comes after Silva’s planned November fight with longtime rival Chris Weidman was cancelled due to Weidman suffering a torn bicep in training.
In the buildup to his latest boxing appearance, Silva addressed recent criticism aimed at White following the UFC president’s move into boxing with TKO Boxing. White launched the promotion earlier this year, staging its first event in September, headlined by Canelo Álvarez vs Terence Crawford. His involvement has been controversial, particularly because the organisation is operating outside the Muhammad Ali Act, which regulates boxer pay and contracts.
Despite past disagreements with White, Silva defended him at a pre-fight press conference. “I haven’t talked to Dana for a long time, but people talk bad about Dana,” Silva said. “It’s business. Numbers don’t lie. When you don’t make the numbers, why should he keep you? Dana is Dana. He’s a boss.”
Silva added that boxing presents different challenges to MMA, calling it “an old sport” that requires respect beyond financial power, and suggesting that money alone cannot guarantee the best fights.
The Brazilian also used the occasion to criticise those who dismiss Jake Paul, whom Silva fought over eight rounds in 2022. He described Paul as a “real fighter” and said the YouTuber-turned-boxer has changed the sport, as Paul prepares for the biggest bout of his career against Anthony Joshua.
