VITOR BELFORT has accused Jake Paul of ducking him in favour of combating “slower” man Anderson Silva instead.
The Problem Child has penned a deal to fight UFC legend Silva in Glendale, Arizone on October 29.
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This determination has not gone down effectively with Belfort, who had been eager to fight Paul himself.
After signing on to fight former scheduled Paul opponent Hasim Rahman Jr in Sheffield subsequent month, Belfort took goal on the YouTuber turned boxer.
Speaking to Sherdog, the 45-year-old mentioned: “My agent was speaking Jake’s agent, however the truth is that they had been selecting good fights for him.
“He didn’t need to fight Hasim Jr. due to his weight; he cancelled the fight with Tommy Fury, which we don’t know precisely the rationale for.
“Later, we started to discuss, however he put loads of issues and calls for. And I simply noticed yesterday that he selected Anderson Silva.”
On how Paul will fare towards the 47-year-old Spider, Belfort added: “I might see he is actually afraid to face quick and explosive opponents with knockout energy.
“He relatively faces slower fighters, the place his possibilities to attain the tip of the fight are greater.
“He is conscious that if he is not completed by Anderson, that can imply an incredible win for him, however I believe Anderson will beat him.”
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Belfort has historical past with Silva, having misplaced to him by way of knockout at UFC 126 in 2011.
Since shifting to boxing, Belfort brutally stopped Evander Holyfield within the first spherical of their exhibition bout in September final yr.
Silva, in the meantime, has crushed Julio Cesar Chavez and Tito Ortiz within the ring – in addition to bettering Bruno Machado in May.
Paul, 25, has vowed to “respectfully” knock Silva out in 5 rounds.
The American mentioned: “Anderson Silva is the nicest man on the earth and we love him.
“If my opponent is a d***head, I’m gonna deal with him like a d***head and beat his f***ing ass, and I believe folks have seen that aspect of me. But I respect this man.
“I’m nonetheless gonna knock him out, however respectfully knock him out. It received’t go greater than 5.”