On Saturday, Jake Paul makes his 2022 debut as he takes on former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz.
As always, plenty of bets can be made with a big-time boxing card. Let's take a look at some of them.
Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva odds
Jake Paul: -160
Anderson Silva: +138
(All odds via BetMGM)
BetMGM (as of Wednesday, Oct. 27) has Paul installed as a small favorite — coming in at -185, meaning you'd need to bet $185 to win $100. Meanwhile, Silva is the underdog at +155, meaning if you pluck down $100, you will win $155 if the native of Brazil can score the upset and ruin potential big fights that loom ahead for social media influencer turned boxer.
The 25-year-old Paul last fought in December, knocking out Tyron Woodley in the sixth round. Paul was originally set to face Hasim Rahman Jr. back in August, but that fight was then canceled due to weight discrepancies between the pair.
Now Paul is set for what is arguably his toughest test. Silva is no pushover when it comes to boxing, despite losing his first fight as a professional. Silva has gone on to win his last three fights, with two of those wins coming by way of knockout, including wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tito Ortiz.
Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva prediction
On paper, this is a very close fight. Combined, they only have nine career boxing matches (five for Paul, four for Silva).
Paul has the edge in being 22 years younger than the former UFC middleweight champion. But Silva is the more experienced striker and is Paul's most formidable opponent to date. Alone, Silva's win over Chavez trumps all of Paul's opponents. That necessarily doesn't mean it will be a cakewalk for "The Spider." Hence, the opposite is likely to happen.
Paul is younger, is quicker and his right hand packs more punch than either of Silva's hands and it will land sooner rather than later with the MMA legend to be the prominent win "The Problem Child" needs on his resume.
A Paul KO at +225 is too good to pass up in a fight like this.
Muehlhausen's pick: Jake Paul
Best odds: Paul by KO/TKO at +225
More Paul vs. Silva odds
Method of victory
Paul by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +225
Paul on points: +188
Silva by KO/TKO/Technical decision or DQ: +220
Silva on points: +600
Tie: +1200