Anderson Silva opens up about the transition from MMA to boxing: 'I had a lot of difficulty'

A. Silva is considered one of the biggest names in the history of MMA. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

MMA legend, Anderson Silva He is experiencing a new moment in his career. After his great victory over former boxing champion, Julio César Chávez Jr., in June, under the rules of the 'noble art', the Brazilian spoke about the process of adapting mixed martial arts to boxing. In conversation with his coach, Luiz Dórea, 'Spider' admitted difficulties in the transition between the modalities.

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“A lot of people say: 'Boxing is easy. There's no point in elbows or knees.' The difference with boxing, although I already had the opportunity to train with you in Bahia, to have boxed, to always be training, is the movement and combinations that you have to put in the middle of the fight. I remember (the tips) a lot: 'pull on the back leg. I didn't understand. You get confused. If I pull with my back leg, the guy will get me into a Bahia. You begin to understand that boxing is not a simple thing. It's not complex, but it's not a simple thing. It’s a different teaching style,” said the former UFC champion.

Following this thought, Anderson continued analyzing the difference between mixed martial arts and boxing, as isolated sports. For the legend of mixed martial arts, in the 'noble art', it is necessary to have quick thinking, adopting a strategy in a duel where a mistake can be fatal.

“There is no combat sport easier than the other, but in MMA, you can hold back a little, grab the guy, give him a 'belt'. Many times, you are feeling something and you put up a guard and are able to defend yourself. In boxing, there is a lot of intelligence, quick thinking and a lot of leg movement. Diagonal step, flat. Any move you make wrong puts your entire life at risk, all the training you've done, and you could fall. For me, the difference I felt for this fight (against Chávez Jr.) was the movement and logical reasoning of boxing, which requires a lot of thinking. Contrary to what people think, it's all very scientific, mathematically studied. So, I had a lot of difficulty. Thank God, everything went well”, he concluded.

With no interest in returning to MMA, Silva was in the news at the beginning of the week about a possible new commitment to the 'noble art'. The Brazilian could return to the ring in a duel against YouTuber Logan Paul, who has been successful in superfights in the sport.

 

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