Tyron Woodley vs Anderson Silva: Fight Preview and Prediction

Former UFC champions Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva are set to meet in a crossover boxing bout on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua. Both men are legends of mixed martial arts, but this contest takes place under boxing rules, adding an intriguing stylistic dynamic to an already high-profile event.

Tyron Woodley

Tyron Woodley is a former UFC welterweight champion who built his MMA career on explosive power, athleticism and elite wrestling. His transition to professional boxing has been difficult. Woodley competed twice against Jake Paul in 2021, losing a split decision in their first bout before being knocked out in the rematch. Since then, Woodley has spoken openly about improving his boxing fundamentals and ring discipline, aiming to prove he belongs in the boxing ring rather than being remembered only for crossover defeats.

SHOP: Muay Thai Equipment

Despite his power, Woodley has often struggled with output in boxing, sometimes waiting too long to pull the trigger. At this stage of his career, this fight represents a chance to finally secure a statement win in boxing against another elite MMA name.

Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, best known for his striking, creativity and long reign as UFC middleweight champion. Unlike Woodley, Silva has shown a more successful adaptation to boxing. He picked up wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tito Ortiz before losing a competitive decision to Jake Paul in 2022.

Even in his late forties, Silva remains composed, technically sound and comfortable in boxing exchanges. His footwork, timing and counterpunching have translated well to the sport, making him one of the more credible MMA-to-boxing crossovers.

Tale of the Tape

Category	Tyron Woodley	Anderson Silva
Age	43	49
Height	5’9”	6’2”
Reach	74 in	77 in
Combat Background	Former UFC welterweight champion	Former UFC middleweight champion
Boxing Experience	Limited	More established

Analysis: Woodley vs Silva

This fight is less about raw power and more about boxing IQ. Woodley still carries knockout threat, but his hesitation and low volume have been recurring issues in boxing. Silva, on the other hand, has shown comfort over multiple rounds, using movement and clean counters to control fights.

Silva’s reach advantage and ability to dictate range should allow him to stay out of danger while picking Woodley apart. Unless Woodley commits early and consistently, Silva is likely to win rounds by being the cleaner and more active boxer.

When, Where and How to Watch

Tyron Woodley vs Anderson Silva takes place on Friday, December 19, on the undercard of Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua. The event will be streamed live on Netflix.

Prediction

Woodley’s power always makes him dangerous, but Silva’s experience and technical boxing edge give him the clear advantage over the distance.

Anderson Silva to win by decision