Nate Diaz Protege Chris Avila to Face Social Media Influencer on Paul-Silva Undercard

Former UFC and Bellator MMA talent Chris Avila will square off against social media influencer Mikhail “Doctor Mike” Varshavski on the Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva undercard.

Showtime announced the booking on Tuesday. The bout will be contested over four rounds at 185 pounds. The event takes place at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., on Oct. 9 and is headlined by the aforementioned clash between Paul and Silva. It will be available on pay-per-view via Showtime.

Avila, who gained a measure of notoriety as a disciple of UFC star Nate Diaz, is 8-9 in MMA and 1-1 in professional boxing. The Cesar Gracie Fight Team export went 0-2 in the UFC and 1-2 in Bellator. He is coming off back-to-back first-round KO/TKO wins under the North Iowa Fights banner in 2021 in MMA, while he took a majority decision over former Bellator foe Anthony Taylor in the boxing ring this past December.

“Hmmmm, let’s see. I am giving him a height advantage, a reach advantage and a medical degree advantage,” Avila said in a release. “It’s whatever though. If he wants to go to boxing fantasy camp, then I’m glad to give him the lesson he wants. A real fight against a real fighter who is not here to play games or clout chase for Instagram.”

The 6-foot-3 Varshavski, who was voted “Sexiest Doctor Alive” by People Magazine and has more than 10 million subscribers to his YouTube channel, will be making his professional boxing debut. He was victorious in an exhibition bout against YouTube personality Ian “iDubbbz” Washburn in May.