Anderson Silva is an MMA legend and, arguably, the greatest UFC fighter of all-time.
Back in the day, Spider would have his dapper looking sons enter the octagon with him after a successful outing, but now the young Silva’s are in their 20s.
And it seems as they have grown up, the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree, either.
While Anderson, 46, is now boxing - and winning - his sons are taking different paths.
Gabriel Silva, 24, is an undefeated amateur kickboxer and an IKF Southern California champion.
His next bout is right around the corner on August 13 against IKF Northern California champion Kristian Acevedo at FightersRep 10 on August 13.
Being unbeaten is a serious feat for Gabriel right now and while transitioning into MMA could happen - and from a money point of view, should happen - down the line, he’s in no rush.
“To prove that I’m as good as my dad, that to me is, I wouldn’t say irrelevant, but it’s not something that crosses my mind,” Silva told MMAFighting in 2019. "My dad built his history, and now I have to build mine.”
Anderson says his oldest son ‘knows the most about fighting’ out of his children, but many see his youngest as the prodigy with the most natural talent.
Kalyl Silva, 22, who is a pro soccer player with the United Premier Soccer League, will make his kickboxing debut on the same card as his brother on August 13, taking on Anthony Reynaga.
The youngest Silva has been sharing his training footage over TikTok. It’s fair to say his silky moves look very familiar.
The pressure of fighting in the footsteps of one of the greatest of all-time is something that can weigh on a son, even more so when that father refuses to walk away from fighting.
“Before, I used to get really anxious, but I’m used to it now,” Kalyl said of his dad fighting. He’s very prepared and I’m sure he’ll do great in the Octagon and do his job.
“It’s just crazy. I keep thinking as I lay down on the bed before I sleep about all of this, and I just can’t find the words to describe it. We used to live in a one-bedroom house, he used to work at a restaurant, and now here we are. It’s just crazy.
“He still has a lot of it inside him. Before, I wanted him to quit, but this is all part of him. My dad’s been doing this since he was 15 years old, his whole life is in it. I don’t want him to stop doing what he loves the most.”
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