Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen: Live round-by-round updates

MMA Fighting has Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen live round-by-round updates for the unexpected trilogy fight between legends in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Saturday night.

The main event is expected to begin around 11 p.m. ET on Globo. Check out our Silva vs. Sonnen results page to find out what happened on the undercard.

Silva, a UFC Hall of Famer and former UFC middleweight champion, faces longtime MMA rival Sonnen in a five-round exhibition boxing match on June 15 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Silva and Sonnen famously faced off in two UFC bouts. “The Spider” defended his title with an iconic fifth-round submission at UFC 117 in 2010, then finished Sonnen again with a second-round knockout at UFC 148 in 2012. Silva vs. Sonnen 1 is set to be inducted into the Fight Wing of the UFC Hall of Fame during International Fight Week ahead of UFC 303.

Silva, 49, is 3-2 as a pro boxer, having beaten Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Tito Ortiz since stepping away from MMA in 2021. He lost to Jake Paul via decision in his most recent bout.

Sonnen, 47, is making his boxing debut.

Check out Silva vs. Sonnen live blog below.

OK, everybody, the trilogy bout between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen in the boxing ring is coming up next.

They are really dragging this out, but ring walks are expected momentarily.

And right on cue, ring walks have begun. Here comes Chael Sonnen as he quickly walks the ramp and steps in the ring for the showdown with his competitive rival.

There is a full line of instruments on the top of the ramp right now, so it appears Silva will be getting a pretty special entrance. Right now, a video is playing doing a timeline of Silva’s most iconic UFC moments, including winning the middleweight title against Rich Franklin.

Here comes Silva to a live performance of “Ain’t No Sunshine.”

Referee giving final instructions, and they touch gloves. Here we go.

Round 1: Both men take the center. Silva certainly looking, as expected, like the more polished boxer. Sonnen is in a low crouch throwing body shots at very awkward angles. They tie up and the ref separates. Silva lands a jab, Sonnen back to the body, Silva moving around against the ropes and lands a combination. Referee warns Sonnen for clinching, and they’re back at it. Sonnen with a head clinch, ref separates again. Silva lands a slight left hand and that’s the round. Both men, to say it politely, taking it easy out there.

MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Silva (I guess?)

Round 2: We’re underway with both men throwing a touch harder than the first. Sonnen continuing to go to the body, Silva with a jab and a right hand, Sonnen clinches again to another warning from the official. Short uppercut from Silva, duck under left from Silva as well. Sonnen with sort of a windmill combination that comes up short.

They stand in the pocket and trade some light punches, Silva lands a good left hand, Sonnen fires a right that falls short. To the middle of the ring they go, but the bell sounds.

MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Silva, 20-18 overall

Round 3: Silva opening up his arsenal a bit more in the third, still not throwing with viciousness, but certainly landing. Sonnen gets a double underhook and pushes Silva into the corner, and as they separate, he does it again. Silva tries to reverse, but ref separates them. Silva with a jab, Sonnen to the body, Silva playing defense and countering with jabs and short rights. They battle in tight in the corner for a moment before the referee sees enough. Four-punch combo from Silva lands, followed by a hard shot to the body. Sonnen trying to bully inside to the body. Silva avoids anything major and the bell rings.

MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Silva, 30-27 overall

Round 4: Sonnen comes out trying to hunt Silva down, but Silva moving around like a butterfly. Short uppercut from Silva, Sonnen ties up, and we separate. About 15 seconds of moving without a punch thrown from either guy, eventually short uppercut from Silva, three-punch combo behind it, and a dig to the body, but nothing ferocious being thrown from either guy. Silva lands a shot and Sonnen falls to the mat. Not sure if it’s a true knockdown or not, but it’s Silva landing most of the punches as the round ends.

MMAFighting scores it 10-9 Silva, 40-36 overall

Round 5: Didn’t appear to be a knockdown, so we go to the fifth. Punches in bunches from both guys. Silva looks much fresher bouncing around. Silva waiting for Sonnen to come in, and when he does, Silva lands a combo. Sonnen rushes in, ties up agains the ropes. Ref allows it for around 10 seconds before separating. Sonnen bleeding from the nose as a brief timeout is called to clean it up. Okie dokie.