Former NFL star running back Le’Veon Bell is back in the ring as he faces former UFC fighter Uriah Hall on Saturday, October 29 at Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River Arena) in Glendale, Arizona, just outside Phoenix. Both fighters make their pro boxing debut battling it out in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 195 pounds. The contest is featured on the PPV fight card topped by Jake Paul up against Anderson Silva.
“Adding NFL superstar Le’Veon Bell to the card only increases this fight’s star power and to have him go head-to-head with a fighter as experienced and dangerous as Uriah Hall – it’s going to be fireworks,” said Jake Paul. “Taking on this challenge is proof that Bell, like myself, is serious about professional boxing and after his knockout of Adrian Peterson, he looks like a force to be reckoned with. Hall on the other hand has already proven himself multiple times in the UFC, and we know what he is capable of. I’m keeping a close eye on this one and may even take on the winner in the future.”
“I’m just as excited to watch Hall vs. Bell as I am for Paul vs. Silva. You have a legitimate top-10 MMA striker versus a world-class athlete who has proven he has true boxing skills and knockout power,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of MVP. “This fight elevates our pay-per-view to a new level, and these guys will undoubtedly put on an unforgettable fight for the fans in the stands and those tuning in.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased via StubHub, TicketNetwork and Vivid Seats.
Le’Veon Bell vs Uriah Hall – four-round cruiserweight bout
A former Michigan State standout and top NFL running back for both the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets, Bell is no stranger to boxing. The Columbus, Ohio native spent the past seven years sharpening his boxing mechanics as he readied himself for the gridiron, and that fluency in a boxing ring was on display last month when he flattened legendary NFL running back Adrian Peterson with a one-punch knockout that quickly went viral. Bell and Peterson clashed in an exhibition bout that was conducted under the auspices of the California State Athletic Commission with CSAC officials. The bout ended in the fifth round when the 6-foot-1 Bell connected on a straight right hand that put Peterson on his back and rendered him unable to continue. It was a startling display of power, not unlike Jake Paul’s one-punch knockout of Tyron Woodley last December, and it showed off Bell’s commitment and proficiency in boxing.
The 30-year-old Bell has relocated to Los Angeles, where he currently trains full time at the Fortune Gym under the watchful eye of respected, no-nonsense trainer Justin Fortune, famous for his work with boxing legend Manny Pacquiao. Known for his long strides and ability to stop on a dime and accelerate, Bell played in the NFL from 2013 to 2021, also suiting up for the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was a two-time First Team All-Pro, two-time Second Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.
“As soon as Most Valuable Promotions approached me about joining the Paul-Silva pay-per-view, I told them, ‘I want in,’ and didn’t care who the opponent was,” Bell said. “Uriah Hall is going to feel my punching power and tap out like he’s getting submitted. He is not built like me.”
A strong, intimidating presence with a piston-like right hand, Hall is a 38-year-old former MMA standout who made his mark in both the UFC and Bellator as a vicious striker. Hall (17-11, 14 KOs MMA record) is tied with Silva and Thiago Silva (no relation) for the most KO/TKOs in UFC middleweight history with eight. Born in Jamaica and raised in New York, Hall showcased his finishing skills when he knocked out Adam Cella with a spinning back kick to the head in the first round of a bout in The Ultimate Fighter series. That performance earned him comparisons to MMA legend Anderson Silva. Hall and Silva eventually met in 2020 with Hall walking away with a fourth-round TKO. He went on to beat former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman in April 2021 via first-round knockout as Weidman suffered a gruesome leg injury just 17 seconds into their bout.
Hall started his career 4-0, highlighted by a TKO victory over Edwin Aguilar at Bellator 11. He is currently trained by Sayif Saud at the Fortis Gym in Dallas, Texas.
“Le’Veon Bell, I hope you bring your best,” said Hall. “I know I will. Thank you to Most Valuable Promotions for the opportunity.”
In the main event YouTuber turned pro boxer Jake Paul faces former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in an eight-round bout at a catchweight of 187 pounds. Among other PPV undercard bouts Ashton Sylve takes on Braulio Rodriguez in an eight-round lightweight bout contested at 133 pounds. In addition, Chris Avila, a disciple of UFC superstar Nate Diaz, squares off against “Doctor Mike” Varshavski, a board-certified family physician and social media influencer, in a four-round cruiserweight bout contracted at 185 pounds.
Paul vs Silva fight card
The current Paul vs Silva lineup looks as the following:
Main Card
- Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva, 8 rounds, cruiserweight (187 pounds contracted)
- Ashton Sylve vs. Braulio Rodriguez, 8 rounds, lightweight (133 pounds contracted)
- Chris Avila vs. Mikhail Varshavski, 4 rounds, cruiserweight (185 pounds contracted)
- Le’Veon Bell vs. Uriah Hall, 4 rounds, cruiserweight (195 pounds contracted)
Undercard
- Danny Barrios Flores vs. Edgar Ortiz Jr, 6 rounds, super bantamweight
- Adrian Rodriguez vs. Dominique Griffin, 4 rounds, super bantamweight
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