5 UFC legends Jake Paul could realistically fight next

#2. Jake Paul vs. Vitor Belfort

Jake Paul (left) and Vitor Belfort (right) [Photo via @TrillerFightClub on Twitter]

Nobody is more eager to fight Jake Paul right now than Vitor Belfort. The Brazilian legend and Triller even gave the former Disney teen actor 30 million reasons to accept the challenge.

In his most recent outing not too long ago, Belfort proved he can still put opponents away with his legendary punching power. Not to mention that he appears to have found where the weights are kept again. However, Belfort had very little reason to celebrate his win as it came against an out-of-shape 58-year-old Evander Holyfield.

Vitor Belfort wants a fight with Jake Paul to teach the young YouTuber a lesson.FULL: https://t.co/yFuvBlOwBA pic.twitter.com/jH0NZTWX9X

— The Mac Life (@TheMacLife) September 12, 2021

Therefore, Belfort's capability to put on a decent performance is still in question. If Triller and Showtime could somehow work together to make the Paul-Belfort fight happen, the Brazilian would present new challenges to 'The Problem Child'.

Given Belfort's lack of star power and high level of threat, though, it's highly unlikely that Paul would want to select him as his next opponent. No matter how hard Belfort threatens to steal Paul's YouTube followers away.

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#1. Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva

Jake Paul (left) and Anderson Silva (right)

On paper, Anderson Silva is the perfect opponent for Jake Paul at this stage of his career. Although Silva's best years are behind him, 'The Spider' is a legitimate striker around the size of Paul. A victory over the legendary UFC middleweight would inevitably erase doubts about Paul's legitimacy as a pugilist.

So far, Silva has been the most successful MMA fighter to have crossed over into the squared circle. His wins over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tito Ortiz proved Silva's striking arsenal is also effective inside the boxing ring.

The @SpiderAnderson KO hits different from ringside 👀 #SilvaOrtiz (via @OmarESPN) pic.twitter.com/5tUEa9UwgK

— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) September 12, 2021

The problem, however, is that Silva's recent success might have definitely spooked Paul. 'The Problem Child' is noticeably respectful when he speaks about Silva and hasn't called him out even once.

After seeing Silva make short work of Ortiz, it wasn't difficult to see why Paul might want to avoid him.