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Anderson Silva
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Anderson da Silva[1] (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɐ̃deʁsõ ˈsiwvɐ]; born 14 April 1975) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and professional boxer.[17] He is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and holds the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days. This started in 2006 and ended in 2013 and included a UFC record 16 consecutive victories in that span.[18][19] Silva left the UFC in November 2020 and returned to boxing.[20] He is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time.[21][22][23][24][25][26] Silva was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2023.

Key Information

Background

[edit]

Silva was born on 14 April 1975, in São Paulo, Brazil.[27] The son of a poverty-stricken family, he spent the majority of his childhood in Curitiba with his aunt and uncle, who was an officer with the Curitiba police force.[28] Silva's first foray in martial arts began as a child training jiu-jitsu with neighborhood kids. As a teen, Silva began training in taekwondo, capoeira and muay thai.[28]

Mixed martial arts career

[edit]

Early career (1997–2002)

[edit]

Silva initially fought in Brazil in the welterweight category. Silva made his professional debut in 1997 with a pair of wins.[29][non-tertiary source needed] Silva recorded his first loss in 2000 to Luiz Azeredo by decision. After that fight, he went on a nine-fight winning streak, winning six of those fights by either submission or TKO.[29][non-tertiary source needed] After winning his first match in Japan, he was put up against Shooto champion Hayato Sakurai on 26 August 2001. Silva beat Sakurai by unanimous decision after three rounds and became the new Shooto Middleweight Champion (at 168 lb, equivalent to welterweight in most other organizations including the UFC) and the first man to defeat Sakurai, who was undefeated in his first 20 fights.[29][non-tertiary source needed]

Pride Fighting Championships and Cage Rage (2002–2006)

[edit]

In 2002, Silva was scheduled to fight then-current UFC Welterweight Champion, and future UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes at UFC 36. However, Silva instead signed a contract and began fighting for PRIDE Fighting Championships.[30] In his first fight with the promotion, he stopped Alex Stiebling with a cut resulting from a high kick. In his next match, he won via decision against the "Diet Butcher" Alexander Otsuka. At Pride 25, Silva faced former UFC welterweight champion Carlos Newton. Newton tried to shoot in on Silva, but was hit with a flying knee. Newton collapsed and Silva finished the fight with strikes, winning by technical knockout.[29][non-tertiary source needed]

At Pride 26, Silva faced Daiju Takase. Takase, with a record of four wins and seven losses, was the underdog. However Silva was dominated on the ground for almost the entire fight before being submitted by Takase when caught in a triangle choke late in the first round.[31] After his loss to Takase, Silva became demotivated and thought about quitting MMA, but was convinced to keep on fighting by Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Silva then left Chute Boxe, joined Nogueira in Brazilian Top Team and started to fight in other promotions around the world.[32] On 27 June 2004, Silva fought Jeremy Horn and earned a decision victory.[citation needed]

Three months later, Silva made his debut in the Cage Rage promotion in England. At Cage Rage 8 Silva fought and defeated noted striker Lee Murray by decision.[29][non-tertiary source needed] That year, Silva returned to Pride FC on 31 December to face Ryo Chonan. Silva was in control with a take down and body triangle in the first round. Chonan was able to counter Silva's knees from the clinch, with knees, and takedowns. Chonan was perceived by some to be winning up until the finish. During the third round, Bas Rutten, commentating alongside Mauro Ranallo, stated that he believed Anderson must obtain a knockout or strong finish or he would lose the fight. Despite being the underdog, Chonan ended the fight in the third round with a rare flying scissor heel hook, forcing Silva to submit.[29][non-tertiary source needed] After the loss to Chonan he was cut by Pride, Silva continued fighting in the Cage Rage promotion, as well as other promotions around the world. Silva defended his Cage Rage title against Curtis Stout.[citation needed]

Although he was slated to fight Matt Lindland at Cage Rage 16, Lindland's decision to fight Mike Van Arsdale at Raze Fight Night put an end to the highly anticipated match up. Instead, Silva defended his championship against Tony Fryklund, winning the fight with a reverse elbow, knocking out Fryklund early in the first round.[33]

Silva competed in Hawaii's Rumble on the Rock promotion, where he fought Yushin Okami in the first round of the 175 lb tournament. Though labeled as a favorite to win the tournament,[34] Silva was eliminated from the tournament when he kicked Okami in the face from the guard position. Okami's knees were on the ground at the time, making the attack an illegal strike to the head of a downed opponent. Silva later said that the rule had not been properly explained to him before the bout. "When I fought Okami the rules really weren't explained to me properly in the event I was fighting in," said Silva. "You could kick a downed opponent to the groin or to the head when your back's on the ground. So the rules weren't explained to me properly."[35] While Okami was given the opportunity to recover and continue fighting, Okami opted for the disqualification win. Silva responded by saying he "felt it was a cheap, cowardly way of winning," and that "people that were there saw that he was in the condition to come back and keep fighting, and he didn't."[36]

Ultimate Fighting Championship (2006–2020)

[edit]

Debut and middleweight championship

[edit]

Although speculation ran rampant about where Silva would sign next, the UFC announced in late April 2006 that they had signed him to a multi-fight contract. It was not long before the UFC started promoting Silva, releasing an interview segment almost immediately after announcing his arrival.[37]

Silva made his debut at Ultimate Fight Night 5 on 28 June 2006. His opponent was The Ultimate Fighter 1 contestant Chris Leben who had gone undefeated in the UFC with five consecutive victories. Leben, confident of victory, had predicted he would KO Silva in a pre-fight interview. A relatively unknown fighter in the United States, Silva made an emphatic debut when he knocked out Leben with a flurry of pinpoint strikes, followed by a final knee strike at 49 seconds into the first round. Silva's striking accuracy was 85%. This fight earned him his first Knockout of the Night award.[38]

In response to the victory, the UFC tallied a poll on their main page, asking viewers to select Silva's next opponent. The majority of voters selected the UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin. Silva fought Franklin at UFC 64 on 14 October 2006, and defeated him by TKO (strikes) at 2:59 in the first round. Silva hit Franklin with knees to the body from the Muay Thai-clinch, then badly broke Franklin's nose with a knee to the face.[39] Unable to strike back, Franklin dodged the last of Silva's strikes before falling to the ground, where referee "Big" John McCarthy ended the fight. Silva was crowned the new UFC Middleweight Champion, becoming the second man to defeat Franklin, after Black House-teammate Lyoto Machida. This fight earned him a Knockout of the Night award.[40] This was also awarded the 2006 Knockout of the Year.[41]

Record-setting championship reign

[edit]
Silva in 2007

On 3 February 2007, at UFC 67, Silva was scheduled to fight The Ultimate Fighter 4 winner Travis Lutter in what would be his first title defense since defeating Rich Franklin in October 2006. However, Lutter failed to make the 185 pounds (84 kg) weight limit and the match was changed to a non-title bout.[42] Many felt that Lutter's best chance to win was to take the fight to the ground, with Lutter being an accomplished jiu-jitsu blackbelt. Silva won via submission with a combination of a triangle choke and elbow strikes in the second round.

In his next fight at UFC 73 on 7 July 2007, Silva successfully defended his title against Nate Marquardt, winning by TKO at 4:50 in the first round. This fight earned him another Knockout of the Night award.[43]

Three months later, on 20 October 2007, at UFC 77, Silva fought a title defense rematch against Rich Franklin, in Franklin's hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, at the U.S. Bank Arena.[44] Silva defended his belt by defeating Franklin via TKO in the 2nd round. This fight earned him a $40,000 Knockout of the Night award.[45]

On 1 March 2008, at UFC 82 Silva fought Pride Middleweight champion Dan Henderson, in a title unification bout (UFC and Pride titles on the line). Henderson was believed to have the edge on the ground, having competed in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics in Greco-Roman wrestling. Silva defended his title by defeating Henderson via rear naked choke in the 2nd round. This fight earned Silva a $60,000 Fight of the Night award and a separate $60,000 Submission of the Night award.[46]

At UFC Fight Night 14 on 19 July 2008, Silva made his debut at Light Heavyweight (205 lb (93 kg)) in a bout against James Irvin. Silva won via KO due to strikes in 1:01 of the first round after catching Irvin's attempted leg kick with his left arm and delivering a straight right that dropped Irvin to the mat, Silva then finished a prone Irvin with a blitz of punches to the head.[47][48][49][50] Irvin later tested positive for methadone and oxymorphone.[51]

Silva's next fight was on 25 October 2008, at UFC 90 in Rosemont, Illinois, Silva defended his Middleweight title against Patrick Côté. In the third round, Côté landed awkwardly on his right leg while throwing a kick and fell to the mat grasping his right knee in pain. Referee Herb Dean declared the fight over when Côté could not continue, ruling the bout a TKO victory for Silva. Côté, however, became the first of Silva's UFC opponents to make it past the 2nd round. After his fight with Côté, Silva was criticized for seemingly avoiding contact during the bout.[52][53] Dana White criticized Silva, saying: "I didn't understand Silva's tactics... It wasn't the Anderson Silva I've been watching the last two years."[54] Silva said in the post-fight news conference:[55]

"There are many people saying I was disrespecting Côté, but this is absolutely not true. My game plan since the beginning was fight five rounds, inducing him to commit mistakes and capitalize on that during the first three rounds and look for the knockout during the fourth and fifth rounds. It was working, and the biggest proof of that is that I almost didn't waste any blows. I connected with a couple of good punches and knees, but unfortunately he got hurt and the fight was over. This is not my fault."

On 18 April 2009, at UFC 97 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Silva defeated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt Thales Leites by unanimous decision, and recorded his UFC record 9th consecutive win in the octagon. Leites is credited with being the first man in UFC history to take Silva through 5 rounds to a judges' decision. The crowd repeatedly booed his lackluster performance, bored expression, and frustrated attempts to goad his opponent into fighting, and in the 4th and 5th rounds took to dancing, lowering his guard and slapping his opponent without retaliation. Following the fight, Dana White has stated that he was "embarrassed" by Silva's performance, but still said that he believes him to be "the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world".[56]

At UFC 101 which took place on 8 August 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Silva again fought at 205 pounds against former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin. Griffin was knocked down three times in the first round. The bout earned Silva Beatdown of the Year honors from Sherdog. The bout shared those honors with the second bout between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir.[57] Both fighters were awarded $60,000 as Fight of the Night bonuses and Silva received an extra $60,000 in bonus money for Knockout of the Night.[58] This was also awarded the 2009 Knockout of the Year.[41]

After defeating Griffin, a Yahoo! Sports reporter allegedly claimed that Silva's manager, Ed Soares, had confirmed that Silva would abandon his Middleweight belt to fight at Light Heavyweight.[59] However, Soares and a UFC spokesperson confirmed that a conversation agreeing Silva would permanently move up to Light Heavyweight never took place. Silva did not relinquish his title to fight exclusively at Light Heavyweight. Soares stated his attorney plans to speak to Yahoo! Sports about the matter.[60]

Silva was expected to defend the UFC Middleweight Championship against Vitor Belfort on 2 January 2010, at UFC 108. However, Ed Soares announced that the bout would not take place as Silva would not be fully recovered from surgery.[61] Silva was then set to face Belfort on 6 February 2010, at UFC 109.[62] The fight, however, was dependent on Silva's healing, which he described as "not going as planned."[63] The fight was canceled because of Silva's slow recovery.[64] Silva was once again scheduled to face Belfort on 10 April 2010, at UFC 112.[65] The fight was later canceled again due to an injury to Belfort.[66] Demian Maia was selected to fill the spot and take on Silva for the belt.

In the first two rounds fighting Maia, Silva appeared to mock his opponent while employing quick, precise striking. In the third round, however, Silva's tempo seemed to change. He looked to Maia to be the aggressor while he largely circled and taunted his opponent. In the fifth round, Silva's lack of action prompted referee Dan Miragliotta to warn Silva for his conduct. The crowd began to side with Maia, who was the only fighter attempting to engage.[67] After 5 rounds, Silva was declared the winner via unanimous decision.

Silva was widely criticized for his performance. Dana White said it was the most embarrassed he had ever been since becoming UFC president.[68] Midway through the fourth round, White walked away from the fight and gave the championship belt to Silva's manager, Ed Soares. White was so annoyed that he declined to personally place the belt around Silva's waist, claiming it was the first time he had done so after a title match.[69] It was also claimed that Silva verbally taunted Maia, saying, "Come on, hit me in the face, playboy."[70] In the immediate post-fight interview, Silva apologized and said that he wasn't himself and that he would need to go back and reevaluate the humility that got him to where he is. In the post-fight interview, Silva made multiple references about how Demian insulted him before the bout. However, the pre-fight banter was seen by many as not out of the ordinary.

On 7 August 2010, Silva faced Chael Sonnen for the UFC Middleweight title at UFC 117. In the first round, Sonnen stunned Silva with a punch before taking him down and dominating from the top position, landing multiple blows. The following three rounds played out in a similar fashion, going to the ground early with Sonnen dominating from inside Silva's guard. In the fifth round, Silva slipped after being tagged by Sonnen's left hook and the challenger took advantage by once again establishing a top position and delivering strikes to Silva. With about two minutes left in the round, Silva was able to lock up a triangle armbar on Sonnen, forcing Sonnen to submit at 3:10 of Round 5. This fight earned him another $60,000 Fight of the Night award and an additional $60,000 Submission of the Night award.[71] This was also awarded the 2010 Submission of the Year.[72]

In the fight, Sonnen had struck Silva more times than Silva had been hit thus far in his entire UFC career. According to CompuStrike, in his first 11 UFC fights, Silva had been hit 208 times. On 7 August Sonnen had landed a total of 289 strikes.[73] After the bout it was revealed that Sonnen would have won a judges' decision. All three judges had Sonnen marked as the winner of all four rounds, judges Nelson Hamilton and Dan Stell had Sonnen taking Round 1 10–8, as well as Hamilton awarding the challenger another 10–8 total in Round 3.[74] Silva later claimed to have gone into the fight with a cracked rib and that a doctor advised him not to fight. Dana White announced that Sonnen would get a rematch upon Silva's return.

Following the fight the California State Athletic Commission confirmed that Chael Sonnen tested positive for synthetic testosterone, with his test having revealed a high testosterone to epitestosterone ratio, indicative of testosterone replacement therapy.[75][76][77][78] The promised rematch was revoked after the issue with his testosterone ratio came to light, however, after Sonnen came back and won two straight fights, Dana White scheduled the rematch.

Silva faced Vitor Belfort on 5 February 2011, at UFC 126.[79] Belfort was expected to face Yushin Okami on 13 November 2010, at UFC 122, but was replaced by Nate Marquardt.[80] After a "feeling out" period of about two and a half minutes in the first round, Silva and Belfort started to trade strikes. Silva landed a front kick to Belfort's jaw and followed up with punches to the grounded challenger. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the fight at 3:25 into the first round.[81] With the win Silva handed Belfort his first KO loss in 28 career fights and extended his record streak of title defenses to eight. This fight earned him another Knockout of the Night award.[82]

Silva then faced Yushin Okami on 27 August 2011, at UFC 134. He defeated the Japanese middleweight by TKO at 2:04 of round 2, displaying skilled head movement and accurate striking.[83] His record then went to 31–4, avenging his DQ loss to Okami back in 2006.

A rematch with Chael Sonnen was to take place on 23 June 2012, at UFC 147,[84] but the bout was moved back to 7 July 2012, at UFC 148, while the expected co-feature of the Brazilian event, a rematch between Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva would headline the event. The change was due to a scheduling conflict with the UN Conference Rio+20, which occurred during the same time frame as UFC 147.[85] At UFC 148, after again being dominated throughout the first round, Silva stopped Sonnen in the second with a TKO.[86] This fight earned him another Knockout of the Night award.[87]

He became the first to stop Stephan Bonnar via strikes in the 1st round of a light heavyweight bout on 13 October 2012, at UFC 153.[88]

Title loss and injury

[edit]

Despite having decided to retire after the Bonnar fight, Silva faced Chris Weidman on 6 July 2013, at UFC 162.[89] Although he was the heavy favorite,[90] he lost by KO in the second round after show boating,[91] ending his streak of the longest title reign in UFC history.[92][93]

A rematch was held at UFC 168 on 28 December. Weidman dominated the first round;[94] it was reported that Silva may have also cracked his shin bone against Weidman during the first leg check.[95][96] In the second round Weidman checked one of Silva's leg kicks again, breaking Silva's left fibula and tibia and ending the fight via TKO.[97][98] Immediately after the fight, Silva had orthopedic surgery to stabilize his tibia with an intramedullary rod; his fibula was reset and was not expected to require further surgery. A UFC statement called the surgery "successful" and said those with similar injuries generally take three to six months to recover.

Post-championship reign

[edit]

Despite calls for Silva to retire from MMA,[99] it was confirmed on 29 July 2014, that Silva would return to the organization. Before UFC 179, Silva and the UFC agreed on a new, 15-fight contract that replaced their previous deal which had eight fights remaining.[100]

On 29 October 2014, it was announced that Silva would coach opposite Maurício Rua for The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4, which began filming in early 2015. Despite being coaches on the show, the two fighters will not face each other at the end of the season.[101] Silva's continued participation was briefly in doubt during the filming after the announcement of his failed drug test. Initially, Dana White announced that Silva would remain on the show as a coach.[102] Subsequently, Silva was pulled as one of the coaches and was replaced by Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira.[103]

In his first fight post-injury, Silva faced Nick Diaz in the main event of UFC 183 on 31 January 2015.[104] He won the fight via unanimous decision. In the days after the fight, it was revealed that Silva tested positive for Drostanolone and Androstane, two anabolic steroids, in pre-fight drug screening on 9 January 2015.[105][106] Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Francisco Aguilar confirmed that the fight has not yet been overturned and can't be until a motion is passed by a majority of the commission. Any penalties, suspensions or changes to the outcome of the fight have to be presented as a motion and then voted on by the commission to enact the order.[107] On 11 February 2015, it was reported that Silva tested positive for an additional unknown illegal substance in a separate test that was related to UFC 183.[108] On 17 February 2015, NSAC executive director Bob Bennett confirmed to ESPN.com that Silva failed his postfight urine test and that Silva had tested positive for the steroid Drostanolone—the same banned substance he tested positive for during an out-of-competition test taken on 9 January 2015. Silva also tested positive for the anti-anxiety medication Oxazepam and Temazepam, which is used to treat sleep deprivation.[109]

On 13 August, after several reschedules, the disciplinary hearing was held to decide on the subject. Silva's defense argued that a tainted sexual enhancement drug that a friend had given to Silva after a trip to Thailand was the root of the two failed tests for drostanolone and also appealed to mistakes in the NSAC testing procedures, pointing to a pair of drug tests, one on 19 January and one after the fight, which Silva passed. He admitted to using both benzodiazepines the night prior to the fight as therapy to control stress and help him sleep. Silva's team was unable to explain the presence of androsterone in 9 January test. The commission rejected the defense and suspended him for one year retroactive to the date of the fight, as the current guidelines were not in effect at the time of the failed tests. He was also fined his full win bonus, as well as 30% of his show money, totaling $380,000. His victory was overturned to a no contest.[110][111][112]

In his first fight after his PED suspension was lifted, Silva faced Michael Bisping on 27 February 2016, at UFC Fight Night 84.[113] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. However, the fight was not without controversy as at the end of round three Silva dropped Bisping with a flying knee while Bisping was signaling to referee Herb Dean that he lost his mouthpiece. Silva believed he had won the bout and continued to celebrate as referee Herb Dean said the fight was not over, and it continued for another two rounds to the decision.[114] Both participants were awarded Fight of the Night honors.[115]

Silva was expected to face Uriah Hall on 14 May 2016, at UFC 198.[116] However, Silva pulled out of the bout on 10 May after requiring a surgery to remove his gallbladder. As a result, Hall did not compete at the event.[117]

Silva was a short notice replacement to face current UFC Light Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier in a non-title bout on 9 July 2016, at UFC 200.[118] Silva lost the fight via unanimous decision.[119]

Silva faced Derek Brunson on 11 February 2017, at UFC 208.[120] He was awarded a unanimous decision victory.[121] 19 of 23 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Brunson.[122][123]

Silva was expected to face Kelvin Gastelum on 3 June 2017, at UFC 212. However, Gastelum was pulled from the match-up after testing positive for marijuana.[124] In turn, despite having two months to secure an opponent, Silva and promotion officials confirmed on 11 May that he would not compete at that event.[125][126]

The bout with Gastelum was rescheduled and was expected to take place on 25 November 2017, at UFC Fight Night 122.[127] However it was announced on 10 November 2017 that Silva would be pulled from the bout due to failing USADA drug test on 26 October.[128][129] In July 2018, USADA announced that Silva had been exonerated from the failed test after finding contaminated supplements and received a one-year suspension from USADA dating back to November 2017 and would be free to resume fighting in November 2018.[130][131]

Silva returned and faced Israel Adesanya on 10 February 2019, at UFC 234.[132][133] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[134] This fight earned him the Fight of the Night award.[135]

Silva faced Jared Cannonier on 11 May 2019 at UFC 237.[136] He lost the fight via TKO in the first round after a kick from Cannonier to Silva's right leg injured him and rendered him unable to continue.[137]

Silva faced Uriah Hall on 31 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva.[138][139] He lost the fight via technical knockout in round four.[140] In an Instagram post made after the fight, Silva hinted that his career in MMA was finished, though he did not officially announce retirement from the sport.[141]

On 19 November 2020, the UFC announced that they had released Silva from his UFC contract, which would allow him to negotiate with other promotions.[142]

At UFC 300 on 13 April 2024, it was announced that the first bout with Silva and Chael Sonnen that took place at UFC 117 on 8 August 2010 would be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing during International Fight Week on 27 June 2024.[143] Sonnen was present to accept the award.[144]

Boxing career

[edit]

Professional career

[edit]

Silva vs. Chávez Jr.

[edit]
Main article: Julio César Chávez Jr. vs. Anderson Silva

In March 2021, it was announced that Anderson Silva would fight Julio César Chávez Jr. in a boxing match on 19 June 2021.[145][146] Silva won the fight by split decision. Silva threw more punches throughout the fight throwing a total of 392 punches while Chávez Jr only threw 153.[147]

Silva vs. Ortiz

[edit]
Main article: Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort

Silva faced former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz in a pro boxing bout[148][149] on 11 September 2021.[150] He won the fight via knockout in round one.[151]

Silva vs. Paul

[edit]
Main article: Jake Paul vs. Anderson Silva

On 22 September 2022, it was announced that Silva would be facing YouTuber and professional boxer Jake Paul on 29 October in Phoenix, Arizona.[152]

On the night of the fight, Silva lost to Paul by unanimous decision with the scores of 78–73 (twice) and 77–74, all in Paul's favor.[153]

Exhibition bouts

[edit]

Silva vs. Machado

[edit]
Main article: Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Don Moore

On 21 May 2022, Silva fought an eight round exhibition bout with fellow Brazilian MMA veteran Bruno Machado at a boxing event in Abu Dhabi. Despite a knockdown for Silva in the fifth, the fight would go the full distance, and no winner was declared.[154]

Silva vs. Sonnen

[edit]

Silva faced Chael Sonnen on 15 June 2024 in a five-round, two minute exhibition boxing bout at 216 pounds in São Paulo, Brazil.[155] Silva and Sonnen faced each other twice in mixed martial arts in the UFC.[155] The bout went the full five rounds and was declared a draw.[156]

Fighting style

[edit]

An expert in Muay Thai, boxing and taekwondo, Silva is primarily a stand-up fighter. Owner of numerous UFC offensive striking records, Silva is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the history of MMA and many consider him the best of all time. During his time in the UFC, he had a striking accuracy of 60%, attempting 1300 strikes and landing 779.[157][158][159]

Silva's striking accuracy, knockout power, technically vicious Muay Thai and ability to counterstrike makes him a danger to his opponents.[160][161][162] Silva's striking uses three major strengths: technical precision, the jab, and transitions and movement.[163] Silva switches from southpaw to orthodox with little drop-off in effectiveness.[164]

Anderson Silva is also widely considered one of the best defensive fighters in UFC history.[165][166][167] He is characterized by his exceptional ability to roll with punches, using head movement and shoulder rolls to minimize damage while setting up counters.[168][169] Additionally, Silva uses disciplined footwork, evasive head movement, and strategic lower-leg kicks to control distance and deter takedowns. He also boasts a 69% takedown defense in the UFC.[170]

Although it has been claimed that his ground game is not as good as his stand-up,[171] Silva has submitted notable grapplers, including Olympic wrestler Dan Henderson, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt Travis Lutter and Olympic alternate Chael Sonnen.

Sponsors

[edit]

A friend of Brazilian World Cup winner Ronaldo, in 2011 Silva became the first client to be marketed by 9INE, a sports marketing company co-owned by Ronaldo.[172][173] Since August 2011, Anderson has been sponsored by Corinthians, his favorite football club.[174] He is also sponsored by fast food chain Burger King.[175] Previously he had also sponsorship deal with sportswear and equipment supplier Nike, which ended in late 2014 due to Nike's self removal from the UFC.[100]

Personal life

[edit]

Silva has three sons and two daughters with his wife, Dayane.[176][177][178][179]

Before he began his career as a professional fighter, Silva worked at McDonald's, and also as a file clerk. He considers Spider-Man, Bruce Lee, Muhammad Ali and his mother as biggest of his personal heroes, and has a stated love of comic books and comic book heroes.[180]

Silva has said on numerous occasions that he believes long-time friend and former UFC Lightweight Champion and UFC Welterweight Champion B.J. Penn to be the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the history of the sport.[181][182][183][184]

Silva expressed interest in competing in the sport of taekwondo and boxing.[185] He floated around the idea of competing at the Olympics in taekwondo and fighting Roy Jones Jr. in a boxing match.[186][187]

Silva became a naturalized U.S. citizen in July 2019.[4]

In 2011, Silva starred in a music video for the song "Ainda Bem" with Brazilian singer Marisa Monte.[188] Silva has also starred in the 2014 action drama film Tapped Out[189] and the 2019 crime action film The Invincible Dragon.[190] In November 2023, Paramount+ released a drama 5-episode mini-series entitled Anderson "The Spider" Silva in the Brazilian and Canadian markets which documented Silva's life including his UFC career with Bruno Vinicius playing the role of Silva.[191]

Filmography

[edit]

Television and film

[edit]
Year Title Role
2009 Never Surrender Spider
2009 Hell's Chain King Anaconda
2011 Like Water Himself
2013 Til Death Do Us Part 2 Andrew Silver
2013 Worms Hairy (voice)
2014 Tapped Out Anderson[189]
2014 Monday Nights at Seven Mateus
2017 Ultimate Beastmaster Himself/host
2019 The Invincible Dragon Alexander Sinclair[190]

Music videos

[edit]
Year Title Artist
2011 "Ainda Bem" Marisa Monte

Championships and accomplishments

[edit]

Mixed martial arts

[edit]

Mixed martial arts record

[edit]
Professional record breakdown
46 matches 34 wins 11 losses
By knockout 23 4
By submission 3 2
By decision 8 4
By disqualification 0 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 34–11 (1) Uriah Hall TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva 31 October 2020 4 1:24 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 34–10 (1) Jared Cannonier TKO (leg kick) UFC 237 11 May 2019 1 4:47 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Loss 34–9 (1) Israel Adesanya Decision (unanimous) UFC 234 10 February 2019 3 5:00 Melbourne, Australia Fight of the Night.
Win 34–8 (1) Derek Brunson Decision (unanimous) UFC 208 11 February 2017 3 5:00 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Loss 33–8 (1) Daniel Cormier Decision (unanimous) UFC 200 9 July 2016 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight bout.
Loss 33–7 (1) Michael Bisping Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping 27 February 2016 5 5:00 London, England Fight of the Night.
NC 33–6 (1) Nick Diaz NC (overturned by NSAC) UFC 183 31 January 2015 5 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Originally a unanimous decision win for Silva; overturned after he tested positive for drostanolone and androsterone. Diaz also tested positive for marijuana.[105][106]
Loss 33–6 Chris Weidman TKO (leg injury) UFC 168 28 December 2013 2 1:16 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Loss 33–5 Chris Weidman KO (punches) UFC 162 6 July 2013 2 1:18 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Lost the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 33–4 Stephan Bonnar TKO (knee to the body and punches) UFC 153 13 October 2012 1 4:40 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Light Heavyweight bout. Bonnar tested positive for a boldenone metabolite.[223]
Win 32–4 Chael Sonnen TKO (knee to the body and punches) UFC 148 7 July 2012 2 1:55 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Extended the record for consecutive UFC Middleweight title defenses (10). Knockout of the Night.
Win 31–4 Yushin Okami TKO (punches) UFC 134 27 August 2011 2 2:04 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 30–4 Vitor Belfort KO (front kick and punches) UFC 126 5 February 2011 1 3:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Knockout of the Night.
Win 29–4 Chael Sonnen Submission (triangle choke) UFC 117 7 August 2010 5 3:10 Oakland, California, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Submission of the Night. Fight of the Night. Fight of the Year. Submission of the Year. Sonnen tested positive for elevated testosterone levels.[77]
Win 28–4 Demian Maia Decision (unanimous) UFC 112 10 April 2010 5 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 27–4 Forrest Griffin KO (punch) UFC 101 8 August 2009 1 3:23 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Light Heavyweight bout. Knockout of the Night. Fight of the Night. Knockout of the Year. Griffin tested positive for illegal substances.
Win 26–4 Thales Leites Decision (unanimous) UFC 97 18 April 2009 5 5:00 Montreal, Quebec, Canada Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 25–4 Patrick Côté TKO (knee injury) UFC 90 25 October 2008 3 0:39 Rosemont, Illinois, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship.
Win 24–4 James Irvin KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Irvin 19 July 2008 1 1:01 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Light Heavyweight bout. Irvin tested positive for methadone and oxymorphone.[51]
Win 23–4 Dan Henderson Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 82 1 March 2008 2 4:52 Columbus, Ohio, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Broke the record for the most consecutive UFC Middleweight title defenses (3). Submission of the Night. Fight of the Night.
Win 22–4 Rich Franklin TKO (knees) UFC 77 20 October 2007 2 1:07 Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Knockout of the Night.
Win 21–4 Nate Marquardt TKO (punches) UFC 73 7 July 2007 1 4:50 Sacramento, California, United States Defended the UFC Middleweight Championship. Knockout of the Night.
Win 20–4 Travis Lutter TKO (submission to elbows) UFC 67 3 February 2007 2 2:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Non-title bout; Lutter missed weight (187 lb).
Win 19–4 Rich Franklin KO (knee) UFC 64 14 October 2006 1 2:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Won the UFC Middleweight Championship. Knockout of the Night. Knockout of the Year.
Win 18–4 Chris Leben KO (knee) UFC Fight Night 5 28 June 2006 1 0:49 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States UFC Middleweight title eliminator. Knockout of the Night.
Win 17–4 Tony Fryklund KO (elbow) Cage Rage 16 22 April 2006 1 2:02 London, England Defended the Cage Rage Middleweight Championship.
Loss 16–4 Yushin Okami DQ (illegal kick) Rumble on the Rock 8 20 January 2006 1 2:33 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Welterweight tournament opening round. Silva was disqualified for delivering an up-kick to an opponent who had his knees on the ground.
Win 16–3 Curtis Stout KO (punches) Cage Rage 14 3 December 2005 1 4:59 London, England Defended the Cage Rage Middleweight Championship.
Win 15–3 Jorge Rivera TKO (knees and punches) Cage Rage 11 30 April 2005 2 3:53 London, England Defended the Cage Rage Middleweight Championship.
Loss 14–3 Ryo Chonan Submission (flying scissor heel hook) Pride Shockwave 2004 31 December 2004 3 3:08 Saitama, Japan
Win 14–2 Lee Murray Decision (unanimous) Cage Rage 8 11 September 2004 3 5:00 London, England Won the Cage Rage Middleweight Championship.
Win 13–2 Jeremy Horn Decision (unanimous) Gladiator 2 27 June 2004 3 5:00 Seoul, South Korea
Win 12–2 Waldir dos Anjos TKO (corner stoppage) Conquista Fight 1 20 December 2003 1 5:00 Vitória da Conquista, Brazil
Loss 11–2 Daiju Takase Submission (triangle choke) Pride 26 8 June 2003 1 8:33 Yokohama, Japan
Win 11–1 Carlos Newton KO (flying knee and punches) Pride 25 16 March 2003 1 6:27 Yokohama, Japan
Win 10–1 Alexander Otsuka Decision (unanimous) Pride 22 29 September 2002 3 5:00 Nagoya, Japan
Win 9–1 Alex Stiebling TKO (doctor stoppage) Pride 21 23 June 2002 1 1:23 Saitama, Japan
Win 8–1 Roan Carneiro TKO (submission to punches) Mecca 6 31 January 2002 1 5:32 Curitiba, Brazil
Win 7–1 Hayato Sakurai Decision (unanimous) Shooto 7 26 August 2001 3 5:00 Osaka, Japan Won the Shooto Middleweight (168 lb) Championship.
Win 6–1 Israel Albuquerque TKO (submission to punches) Mecca 5 9 June 2001 1 6:17 Curitiba, Brazil
Win 5–1 Tetsuji Kato Decision (unanimous) Shooto 2 2 March 2001 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 4–1 Claudionor Fontinelle TKO (punches and knees) Mecca 4 16 December 2000 1 4:35 Curitiba, Brazil
Win 3–1 Jose Barreto TKO (head kick and punches) Mecca 2 12 August 2000 1 1:06 Curitiba, Brazil
Loss 2–1 Luiz Azeredo Decision (unanimous) Mecca 1 27 May 2000 2 10:00 Curitiba, Brazil
Win 2–0 Fabrício Camões TKO (retirement) BFC 1 25 June 1997 1 25:14 Campo Grande, Brazil
Win 1–0 Raimundo Pinheiro Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 1:53

[224]

Boxing record

[edit]

Professional

[edit]
5 fights 3 wins 2 losses
By knockout 2 1
By decision 1 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
5 Loss 3–2 Jake Paul UD 8 29 Oct 2022 Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Tito Ortiz KO 1 (8), 1:22 11 Sep 2021 Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
3 Win 2–1 Julio César Chávez Jr. SD 8 19 Jun 2021 Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico
2 Win 1–1 Julio Cesar De Jesus KO 2 (6), 0:19 5 May 2005 Ginásio de Esportes Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Brazil
1 Loss 0–1 Osmar Luiz Teixeira RTD 1 (6), 3:00 22 May 1998 Ginásio Isael Pastuch, União da Vitória, Brazil

[225]

Exhibition

[edit]
2 fights 0 wins 0 losses
Draws 1
Non-scored 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
2 Draw 0–0–1 (1) Chael Sonnen — 5 Jun 15, 2024 São Paulo, Brazil
1 — 0–0 (1) Bruno Machado — 8 May 21, 2022 Etihad Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Non-scored bout

Muay Thai Record

[edit]
Kickboxing record
1 Wins ,0 losses
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
2003-04-13 Win Brazil Tadeu Sanmartino Storm Muay Thai Brazil Knockout (Kicks,Punch) 1 2:57

Pay-per-view bouts

[edit]

MMA

[edit]
No. Event Fight Date PPV Buys
1. UFC 64 Franklin vs. Silva 14 October 2006 300,000
2. UFC 67 Silva vs. Luter 3 February 2007 400,000
3. UFC 73 Silva vs. Marquardt 7 July 2007 425,000
4. UFC 77 Silva vs. Franklin 2 20 October 2007 325,000
5. UFC 82 Silva vs. Henderson 1 March 2008 325,000
6. UFC 90 Silva vs. Côté 25 October 2008 300,000
7. UFC 97 Silva vs. Leites 18 April 2009 650,000
8. UFC 101 Silva vs. Griffin (co) 8 August 2009 850,000
9. UFC 112 Silva vs. Maia 10 April 2010 500,000
10. UFC 117 Silva vs. Sonnen 7 August 2010 600,000
11. UFC 126 Silva vs. Belfort 5 February 2011 725,000
12. UFC 134 Silva vs. Okami 27 August 2011 335,000
13. UFC 148 Silva vs. Sonnen 2 7 July 2012 925,000
14. UFC 153 Silva vs. Bonnar 13 October 2012 375,000
15. UFC 162 Silva vs. Weidman 6 July 2013 550,000
16. UFC 168 Weidman vs. Silva 2 28 December 2013 1,025,000[226]
17. UFC 183 Silva vs. Diaz 31 January 2015 650,000
18. UFC 208 Silva vs. Brunson (co) 11 February 2017 200,000
19. UFC 234 Adesanya vs. Silva 10 February 2019 175,000[227]
Total sales 9,635,000

Boxing

[edit]

Main Event

[edit]
United States
No. Date Fight Billing Buys Network Revenue
1 June 19, 2021 Chávez Jr. vs. Silva Tribute to the Kings — FITE TV —
2 October 29, 2022 Paul vs. Silva — 300,000 Showtime $17,997,000
Total 300,000 $17,997,000

Co-Main Event

[edit]
United States
No. Date Fight Billing Buys Network Revenue
1 May 21, 2022 Mayweather Jr. vs. Moore
Silva vs. Machado 		The Showcase in the Skies of Dubai — FITE TV —
2 May 21, 2022 Holyfield vs. Belfort
Silva vs. Ortiz 		No Holds Barred 150,000[228] Triller $7,500,000
Total 150,000 $7,500,000

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Anderson Silva

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Anderson da Silva (born April 14, 1975), known professionally as Anderson Silva and nicknamed "The Spider," is a Brazilian mixed martial artist (MMA) and professional boxer widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history. He is a former UFC Champion, holding the record for the longest title reign in UFC history at 2,457 days from October 2006 to July 2013, during which he made a record 10 successful defenses. With an overall professional MMA record of 34 wins, 11 losses, and 1 no contest, Silva's career highlights include signature victories over Hall of Famers like (twice), , and (twice), showcasing his elite striking, unorthodox style, and finishing ability with 22 knockouts. Born in , , to a poverty-stricken family, Silva was raised by his aunt and uncle in , Paraná, after his parents could no longer support him financially. He began training in martial arts at age 12 with , later incorporating and under coaches like Luiz Dórea and the Nova União team, which shaped his versatile southpaw fighting style. Silva made his professional MMA debut in 1997 at Brazilian Freestyle Circuit 1, quickly rising through regional promotions before competing in from 2002 to 2004, where he secured notable wins but fell short in title contention against fighters like . Silva joined the UFC in 2006, winning the middleweight title in his second fight against via first-round at UFC 64 and embarking on a dominant 16-fight win streak that included memorable performances such as his front-kick of at and a dramatic fifth-round submission of Sonnen at UFC 117. His reign ended abruptly with a second-round loss to at in 2013, followed by a leg injury in their rematch; subsequent fights were marred by suspensions for failed drug tests and inconsistent results, culminating in a loss to at UFC Fight Night 182 in October 2020, after which he announced his retirement from MMA. Transitioning to , Silva compiled a 2-1 record, including wins over Julio César Chávez Jr. and in 2021, before a loss to in 2022.

Early Life and Background

Childhood and Upbringing

Anderson Silva was born on April 14, 1975, in , , as the middle child of four siblings in a facing significant economic hardship. His parents, Juarez da Silva and Vera Lucia da Silva, struggled with poverty, which shaped the early dynamics of his household. At around age four, Silva relocated to , where he was primarily raised by his aunt and uncle after moving in with them for a more stable environment. The family's financial difficulties in exposed Silva to a challenging upbringing marked by limited resources and the realities of low-income urban life in . His uncle, a , provided some structure, but the household often contended with instability that influenced Silva's early worldview. During this period, Silva encountered street life in Curitiba's tougher neighborhoods, where exposure to and became part of his formative experiences, fostering a need for skills. As a teenager, Silva developed interests in physical activities like capoeira, a Brazilian martial art blending dance and combat, which appealed to his agile nature amid the uncertainties of his surroundings.

Introduction to Combat Sports

Anderson Silva's introduction to structured combat sports came during his adolescence in Curitiba, Brazil, where he began training at the age of 12 to channel his energy from frequent street altercations and find a positive outlet amid family hardships. Invited by a friend to a local martial arts academy, Silva initially focused on taekwondo, quickly developing a passion for the discipline through sparring sessions that highlighted his natural aptitude for striking. This early exposure laid the groundwork for his versatile fighting style, emphasizing discipline and technique over raw aggression. By age 18, he had advanced sufficiently to claim a national kickboxing championship, demonstrating his rapid progression in the sport. Silva soon expanded his training to include , which complemented his foundation with an emphasis on powerful combinations and clinch work. In parallel, he progressed to (BJJ), immersing himself in grappling arts through local academies in , where he honed ground control and submission skills essential for comprehensive combat proficiency. His dedication to BJJ culminated in earning a black belt. Complementing these pursuits, Silva gained exposure to and via Curitiba's vibrant scene, training at neighborhood gyms that offered access to clinch work, elbow strikes, and hand combinations. These experiences rounded out his stand-up game, blending the explosive power of knees and elbows with 's rhythmic punching. In the mid-1990s, he competed in amateur and bouts, building competitive experience before transitioning to professional levels.

Mixed Martial Arts Career

Early Professional Fights (1997–2002)

Anderson Silva made his professional debut on June 25, 1997, at Brazilian Freestyle Circuit 1 in Rio de Janeiro, , where he secured a technical knockout victory over Fabricio Camoes via retirement in the first round after 25 minutes and 14 seconds. Later that same event, he followed up with a submission win against Raimundo Pinheiro by rear-naked choke at 1 minute and 53 seconds of the first round, demonstrating early proficiency in grappling techniques honed from his background. These initial bouts in the regional Brazilian promotion established Silva as a promising talent in the burgeoning MMA scene. Silva continued competing in Brazilian promotions such as Meca World Vale Tudo, where he experienced his first professional setback on May 27, 2000, losing a to over two 10-minute rounds at Meca 1. He rebounded quickly, earning a first-round TKO victory over Jose Barreto via head kick and punches at just 1 minute and 6 seconds during Meca 2 on August 12, 2000, highlighting his developing striking skills. Additional key wins included a TKO against Claudionor da Silva Fontinelle by punches and knees at 4 minutes and 35 seconds of the first round at Meca 4 on December 16, 2000, and another TKO submission to punches over Israel Albuquerque in the first round at Meca 5 on June 9, 2001. Transitioning to Shooto Brazil in 2001, Silva notched unanimous decision victories over Tetsuji Kato on March 2 at Shooto: To the Top 2 and over Hayato "Mach" Sakurai on August 26 at Shooto: To the Top 7, the latter earning him the Shooto Middleweight Championship after three five-minute rounds. These triumphs showcased his ability to blend striking with wrestling against technically sound opponents. In early 2002, he closed out this period with a first-round TKO submission to punches against Roan "Juan" Carneiro at Meca 6 on January 31, solidifying his regional dominance with a series of finishes in Vale Tudo-style events.

Pride FC and Cage Rage Eras (2002–2006)

In 2002, Anderson Silva signed with , a leading international MMA promotion, transitioning from regional Brazilian circuits to a global stage. His debut occurred at on June 23, where he earned a first-round TKO victory over Alex Steibling via doctor's stoppage due to cuts at 1:23. Silva followed this with a hard-fought win against at Pride 22: Beasts From the East 2 on September 29, securing a unanimous decision after three rounds of exchanges and striking attempts, improving his record to 10-1. These early successes highlighted his adaptability in Pride's larger ring and ruleset. Silva's momentum built in 2003 with a highlight-reel knockout of former UFC Champion at 25: Body Blow on March 16, landing a flying followed by punches at 6:27 of the first round to stun the Japanese audience. However, at 26: Bad to the Bone on June 8, he encountered his first setback, submitting to Daiju Takase's at 8:33 of the opening round, exposing temporary vulnerabilities in his ground game. Later that year, Silva secured a first-round TKO victory over Waldir dos Anjos via corner stoppage at 5:00 at Conquista Fight 1 on December 20. Shifting focus in 2004, Silva earned a unanimous decision win over at Gladiator FC on June 27 after three rounds, before joining in the UK, capturing the inaugural title at Cage Rage 8: Knights of the on September 11 by defeating undefeated via unanimous decision over three rounds, establishing dominance in the promotion's 185-pound division. He defended the belt twice in 2005: first against Jorge Rivera at Cage Rage 11: Face Off on April 30 with a second-round TKO via knees and punches at 3:53, then against Curtis Stout at Cage Rage 14: Punishment on December 3 via first-round punches at 4:59. These defenses underscored his well-rounded skill set, blending striking and clinch work effectively in the cage format. Silva's final Pride appearance came at 2004 on December 31, where he suffered a controversial third-round submission loss to Ryo Chonan via flying scissor heel hook at 3:08, despite controlling much of the fight with superior striking until the unexpected reversal. The upset finish, one of only four career losses for Silva at that point, drew debate over its legitimacy given his prior dominance. In 2006, after a disqualification loss to at Rumble on the Rock 8 on January 20 for an illegal at 2:33 of the first round, Silva returned to Cage Rage for a title defense against at Cage Rage 16: Critical Condition on April 22, securing a first-round with an elbow at 2:02. By the end of 2006, ahead of his UFC transition, Silva held a professional record of 21-4, with his and Cage Rage tenure elevating his reputation as a versatile finisher.

UFC Arrival and Middleweight Dominance (2006–2012)

Anderson Silva made his UFC debut on June 28, 2006, at UFC Fight Night 5, where he faced in a bout. In a stunning display, Silva knocked out Leben with knees and punches just 49 seconds into the first round, earning immediate praise for his striking precision and earning a title shot on the same card. Later that year, on October 14, 2006, at UFC 64, Silva challenged reigning champion . Silva dominated the fight with superior clinch work, securing a first-round via knees at 2:59, capturing the UFC title in his second appearance. This victory marked the beginning of an unprecedented reign, as Silva went on to achieve 10 consecutive title defenses over the next six years. Silva's early defenses showcased his versatility and finishing ability. He first defended against at UFC 73 on July 7, 2007, stopping the wrestler via TKO (punches) in the first round at 4:50. A rematch with Franklin followed at UFC 77 on October 20, 2007, where Silva won by second-round TKO (knees) at 1:07. Against at UFC 82 on March 1, 2008, Silva submitted the former champion with a rear-naked choke in the second round at 4:52. Silva then defended against Patrick Côté at on October 25, 2008, winning by third-round TKO due to a injury at 0:39. These victories established Silva as an elite striker with grappling prowess honed from his FC experience. Throughout his dominance, Silva produced several iconic moments that defined his legacy. At on August 7, 2010, he overcame a near-loss to , submitting him with a triangle armbar in the fifth round at 3:10 after being controlled for nearly 23 minutes. This resilience was followed by a spectacular first-round knockout of at on February 5, 2011, via a signature to the face at 3:25, often hailed as one of the greatest knockouts in UFC history. Silva continued his streak with a second-round TKO (punches) over at UFC 134 on August 27, 2011, at 2:04, and avenged his near-defeat against Sonnen in their rematch at on July 7, 2012, winning by second-round TKO (knee and punches) at 1:55. In non-title bouts during this era, Silva further demonstrated his supremacy, including a controversial first-round knockout of at on August 8, 2009, at 3:23, where he toyed with the before finishing with a punch, drawing criticism for showboating but underscoring his confidence. By the end of , Silva had compiled 10 straight UFC wins—all but two as title defenses—holding the championship for a record 2,457 days until its conclusion in 2013, cementing his status as the division's most dominant force.

Title Loss, Injuries, and Recovery (2013–2015)

Anderson Silva's undefeated streak in the UFC division came to an abrupt end on July 6, 2013, at , where he suffered a second-round loss to via a left hook counter that caught him off-guard during a taunting moment in the fight. This upset marked the first time Silva had been finished in his professional career and stripped him of the he had held since 2006. Weidman, an undefeated challenger at the time, capitalized on Silva's playful demeanor, landing the decisive blow that sent the champion to the canvas unconscious. Determined to reclaim the belt, Silva faced Weidman in a rematch at on December 28, 2013, but the bout ended disastrously in the second round when Silva attempted a that was checked by Weidman's raised shin, resulting in a compound fracture of his left and . The injury occurred approximately 1:16 into the round, forcing an immediate TKO stoppage as Silva writhed in pain on the canvas, unable to continue. This gruesome setback not only confirmed Weidman's title retention but also sidelined Silva for an extended period, marking a pivotal low point in his career. Following the injury, Silva underwent surgery on December 30, 2013, performed by UFC orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Sanders, who inserted an 11.5-millimeter titanium rod into the to stabilize the , along with screws to secure the bone. Initial recovery estimates indicated three to six months for the to heal, though full rehabilitation, including regaining strength and mobility, extended well beyond that timeframe due to the severity of the compound break. Silva remained hospitalized briefly post-surgery and began a rigorous regimen, gradually progressing from non-weight-bearing activities to light by mid-2014, allowing him to target a return fight approximately 13 months after the injury. As Silva recovered, complications arose from failed drug tests related to his anticipated comeback. In preparation for UFC 183, an out-of-competition test on January 9, 2015, returned positive for , an , though the fight against proceeded on January 31, 2015. Silva won the bout via (49-46 on all cards), showcasing effective striking and takedown defense in a five-round that highlighted his resilience post-injury. However, a post-fight sample confirmed another positive for drostanolone metabolites, leading to the fight result being overturned to a no-contest by the (NSAC). The NSAC imposed a one-year suspension on Silva on August 13, 2015, retroactive to January 31, 2015—the date of —along with a $380,000 fine and the requirement for a negative prior to relicensing, effectively extending his absence from competition until early 2016. maintained his innocence, attributing the positives to contaminated supplements, but the ruling underscored a turbulent phase marked by both physical rehabilitation and disciplinary challenges. This period tested 's mental fortitude, as he navigated recovery while facing scrutiny over the anti-doping violations.

Later UFC Years and Retirement (2016–2020)

Silva returned to the UFC Octagon on February 27, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 84 in , facing in a five-round bout. Despite landing significant strikes and rocking Bisping in the third round, Silva lost a close (48-47 on all cards), marking his first fight since a 2015 suspension for a failed . Less than three months later, on May 14, 2016, Silva competed in his hometown of , , at against . In a thrilling main event, Silva secured a victory (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) after three rounds of back-and-forth action, showcasing his signature striking and taunting style to outpoint Hall. Silva's momentum was halted at on July 9, 2016, in , where he stepped up on short notice to face champion in a non-title bout. Cormier dominated with wrestling, taking Silva down repeatedly en route to a win (30-27 on all cards). On February 11, 2017, at in , Silva faced in another clash. Despite a strong first round from Brunson, Silva rallied with precise counterstriking and control to earn a controversial (29-28 on all cards). Silva's next bout, scheduled for November 25, 2017, at UFC Fight Night 122 in against , proceeded as planned but ended in controversy. Gastelum was awarded a victory (29-28 on all cards), but the result was overturned to a no contest on December 7, 2017, after Gastelum tested positive for clomiphene, a banned substance. After over a year away, Silva returned on February 9, 2019, at in to face rising contender . The 41-year-old Silva showed flashes of his vintage form but was outstruck and controlled, losing a (30-27 on all cards) in a three-round bout. On May 11, 2019, at in Rio de Janeiro, Silva met in the co-main event. Cannonier landed a devastating to Silva's left early in the first round, causing significant injury and forcing a TKO stoppage at 4:47 amid boos from the Brazilian crowd. Silva's final UFC appearance came on October 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 181 in against in a symbolic rematch. Hall dropped Silva with a right hand in the fourth round, following up with punches for a TKO victory at 1:24 of the fourth round. Despite the loss, Silva's professional MMA record stood at 34-11 (1 NC) upon . Following the defeat, Silva issued a statement on November 1, 2020, bidding farewell to the sport, expressing gratitude for his career and confirming his from MMA. The UFC released him from his contract on November 19, 2020.

Boxing Career

Transition from MMA to Boxing

Following his release from the UFC in November 2020 after a TKO loss to in his final bout, Anderson Silva, then 45 years old, retired from MMA due to the mounting injuries and surgeries that had plagued his later career, including a severe leg break in 2013. Seeking fresh challenges that aligned with his unparalleled striking expertise, Silva pivoted to , a discipline that allowed him to showcase his stand-up skills without the and ground elements that exacerbated his physical toll. To adapt to boxing's demands, Silva adjusted his training to emphasize ring-specific techniques, leveraging his foundational background honed at early in his career. He collaborated closely with longtime coach Luiz Dorea, a veteran trainer from Academia Champion, who guided him through sessions focused on footwork, punch combinations, and defensive maneuvers during preparations for his 2021 debut. This shift not only helped preserve his striking legacy—widely regarded as one of MMA's most artistic—but also offered a less punishing alternative to MMA's full-contact rigors, enabling sustained competition into his late 40s. In 2021, Silva secured his initial professional boxing license to compete in sanctioned bouts, formalizing his entry into the ahead of his . He also pursued promotional partnerships that capitalized on his fame, including a high-profile deal with Most Valuable Promotions for subsequent events, which provided substantial financial incentives and opportunities to extend his combat sports tenure without the injury risks of MMA.

Professional Boxing Matches

Anderson Silva made his professional boxing debut on May 22, 1998, in União da Vitória, , where he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Osmar Luiz after being knocked down. Just over two months later, on August 5, 1998, in Salvador, , Silva secured his first professional victory by defeating Julio Cesar De Jesus via in a four-round bout. These early fights marked the beginning and end of his initial foray into , as he shifted focus to for nearly two decades. Silva returned to professional boxing on June 19, 2021, in Guadalajara, Mexico, facing former WBC middleweight champion Julio César Chávez Jr. in an eight-round bout at Estadio Jalisco. Despite Chávez Jr.'s experience, Silva outlanded him significantly (99-53 total punches per CompuBox stats) and won by split decision with scores of 75-77, 77-75, and 77-75, showcasing precise counterstriking and footwork honed from his MMA career. Less than three months later, on , 2021, at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in , Silva faced former UFC champion in a scheduled eight-round cruiserweight bout. Silva dominated early, landing a devastating right hand that dropped Ortiz after 1:47 of the first round, securing a TKO victory; this win marked Ortiz's debut but has been classified as an by some sanctioning bodies and thus not universally counted toward records. Silva's next professional bout came on October 29, 2022, against YouTuber-turned-boxer at Gila River Arena in , in another eight-round contest. Paul controlled the pace with aggressive pressure, knocking Silva down in the eighth round en route to a victory (77-74, 78-73, 78-73), ending Silva's brief in the ring. As of November 2025, Silva's record stands at 3-2 with two knockouts, reflecting these sanctioned bouts that bridged his MMA legacy into the squared circle.

Exhibition Boxing Bouts

Anderson Silva has participated in several boxing bouts against fellow MMA veterans, characterized by relaxed rules that prioritize entertainment, showmanship, and fan engagement over official competitive results. These events often draw large crowds by capitalizing on established rivalries from their MMA careers, allowing fighters to perform without the pressure of impacting their professional records. On May 21, 2022, Silva faced Brazilian MMA veteran Bruno Machado in an eight-round exhibition bout at 194 pounds during the Global Titans Fight Series event in , , which also featured an appearance by Floyd Mayweather. The fight proceeded under standard rules for the exhibition format, with no official winner declared. Silva dominated the contest, landing a brutal knockdown in the fifth round with a combination that sent Machado to the canvas, though Machado recovered and the bout went the full distance. Silva's most notable exhibition came on June 15, 2024, against longtime rival at the Spaten Fight Night event in , Brazil, reigniting their famous UFC rivalry from 2010 and 2012 where Silva twice defended his middleweight title against the American wrestler. The five-round, two-minute-per-round contest at a 216-pound used 14-ounce gloves and prohibited knockouts, with no official scoring to maintain its non-competitive nature; however, elements emerged, as Silva locked in an arm-triangle choke in the final seconds after Sonnen attempted a . The bout ended in a draw, though Sonnen protested the result, claiming he would have won a decision under traditional scoring due to his control and striking output. Post-fight, Silva expressed enjoyment of the exhibition format, describing it as a low-stakes to his history with Sonnen and emphasizing the focus on delivering a good show for fans without the risk of serious injury. He noted that the rules prevented aggressive finishes, allowing both fighters to entertain while respecting their shared legacy.

Recent and Upcoming Boxing Engagements

A planned boxing match between Anderson Silva and , announced on October 16, 2025, by Most Valuable Promotions, was scheduled for November 14, 2025, at the in Miami, Florida, as part of the card headlined by vs. . The bout, structured as a professional six-round heavyweight contest with a 205-pound weight limit, was intended as a trilogy stemming from their 2013 UFC encounters. However, the entire event was cancelled on November 3, 2025, due to issues surrounding the main event. As of November 15, 2025, no rescheduling has been announced, and Silva has no confirmed upcoming boxing engagements.

Fighting Style

Striking Arsenal and Techniques

Anderson Silva's striking arsenal is deeply rooted in Muay Thai, which forms the foundation of his stand-up game, allowing him to seamlessly integrate clinch work, knees, and elbows into mixed martial arts and boxing contexts. His mastery of the Muay Thai clinch, often referred to as the plum position, enables dominant control in close range, where he delivers devastating knee strikes to the body and head while using elbows to cut and disrupt opponents. This clinch proficiency was evident in his UFC middleweight title defenses, where Silva's knees and elbows inflicted significant damage, setting him apart as one of the most effective close-quarters strikers in MMA history. Among his signature techniques, the front kick stands out for its precision and knockout power, most notably demonstrated in his 2011 victory over , where a perfectly timed push kick to the face ended the fight in under four minutes. Silva also employs the plum to set up knee barrages, feinting to draw reactions before unleashing counters that exploit openings. His unorthodox feints and movement further enhance his unpredictability, blending fluid footwork with explosive strikes to keep opponents off-balance. Silva excels in distance management and counter-striking, using superior timing and range to absorb minimal damage while landing high-percentage shots; in UFC competition, he maintained a career significant striking accuracy of 61 percent, reflecting his efficiency and defensive acumen. This approach allows him to control the pace of engagements, baiting aggressive advances into punishing counters that often lead to knockouts or points dominance. In transitioning to , Silva adapted his MMA striking by emphasizing orthodox fundamentals like jab-cross combinations and targeted body work, as seen in his split-decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., where he utilized jabs to the head and body to maintain distance and accumulate points despite the unfamiliar ruleset. His body shots in that bout disrupted Chavez Jr.'s rhythm, showcasing how Silva's base translated to cleaner exchanges with focused precision.

Grappling and Ground Game

Anderson Silva's grappling prowess is rooted in his extensive background in (BJJ), where he holds a third-degree black belt awarded by the Nogueira brothers of , having been promoted to black belt in 2006. His BJJ foundation emphasizes opportunistic submissions and positional control, allowing him to capitalize on transitions during fights despite his preference for stand-up exchanges. Throughout his MMA career, Silva secured three submission victories, showcasing techniques such as armbars and triangles, which highlight his ability to finish opponents from advantageous ground positions. A key aspect of Silva's ground game is his defensive wrestling, which focuses on thwarting takedowns and reversing positions to neutralize grapplers. This was evident in his first fight against at in 2010, where despite being taken down multiple times by Sonnen's elite wrestling, Silva repeatedly scrambled to reverse positions and regain top control, ultimately submitting Sonnen with a triangle armbar in the fifth round. His ability to defend and counter takedowns stems from a blend of BJJ sweeps and influences, enabling him to avoid prolonged bottom positions against wrestling-heavy opponents. Silva also demonstrated effective ground-and-pound from the top position in his early Pride Fighting Championships bouts, using precise strikes to overwhelm opponents after securing dominant postures. For instance, in his Pride debut against Alex Stiebling at Pride 21 in 2002, Silva took the fight to the ground, mounted his opponent, and delivered a barrage of unanswered punches to earn a first-round TKO. Similar transitions were seen in other wins, where he fluidly moved from clinch control to top position to rain down ground strikes, underscoring his opportunistic use of to set up damaging finishes. Despite these strengths, Silva's grappling had notable limitations, particularly in takedown defense against elite wrestlers, which were exposed in key losses. In his bout against at in 2013, Weidman executed a successful early in the second round, briefly controlling Silva on the ground before the fight returned to the feet, where a checked leg kick resulted in Silva's and fracturing—a moment that highlighted vulnerabilities in his ability to consistently stuff high-level wrestling entries. This exposure contrasted with his earlier successes, revealing that while Silva excelled in submission hunting and reversals, sustained pressure from superior wrestlers could disrupt his preferred striking rhythm.

Personal Life and Business

Family, Philanthropy, and Interests

Anderson Silva married Dayane Silva in 2017 after a relationship spanning nearly three decades that began in their teenage years. The couple has five children: sons , Kalyl, and Joao, and daughters Kaory and Kauana. His has provided crucial emotional support throughout his career, particularly during recoveries from injuries, helping him maintain motivation despite their occasional concerns about the risks of continued fighting. Silva became a naturalized U.S. citizen in July 2019. Silva has supported youth through MMA academies for underprivileged children in and , as well as organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs, reflecting his commitment to giving back to communities similar to the one in which he grew up in . A devout Christian, Silva frequently attributes his achievements and resilience to his , describing as a guiding force in his life and career. He has pursued as a personal interest, taking professional lessons during his UFC tenure and expressing a desire to excel in film roles with the same dedication he applied to . Following the severe leg fracture he sustained against at in December 2013, Silva endured a challenging recovery process marked by physical rehabilitation and significant struggles, including depression and fear of reinjury. He worked with a to address these issues, openly sharing his experiences to emphasize the mental toll of such setbacks on athletes.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

Throughout his UFC career, Anderson Silva secured several high-profile sponsorship deals that enhanced his marketability as a global star. In 2011, he signed an endorsement agreement with Nike, becoming the first Brazilian mixed martial artist to partner with the sportswear giant, which provided apparel and promotional support during his title defenses. That same year, Silva inked deals with the Brazilian football club Corinthians, his favorite team, and fast-food chain , the latter featuring him in advertising campaigns that leveraged his popularity in . Additionally, he appeared in commercials targeted at the Brazilian market, including a notable 2012 spot alongside actor , further solidifying his ties to major consumer brands. Silva also partnered with supplement company MusclePharm in 2011, which sponsored his training and fight preparations, aligning with his focus on performance and recovery. These endorsements contributed to his financial stability during his peak years, though some were affected by the UFC's 2015 exclusive apparel deal with , prompting negotiations with other brands like . Following his departure from the UFC in 2020, Silva expanded into business ownership, opening the Spider Fit in with Corinthians at the in in 2018, aimed at MMA training and fitness programs. Earlier, in 2013, he launched the Muay Thai College in to promote the striking art he mastered. In 2025, Silva received a substantial $10.3 million payout from the UFC antitrust lawsuit settlement, the largest among fighters, stemming from claims of monopolistic practices between 2010 and 2017. This windfall, combined with prior earnings and ventures, has elevated his estimated to $14 million as of 2025.

Media Appearances

Film and Television Roles

Anderson Silva has made several appearances in film and television, often portraying himself or characters inspired by his MMA background. In the 2009 Never Surrender, directed by Hector Echavarria, Silva played the role of Spider, a fighter in an underground MMA circuit, marking one of his early forays into scripted acting alongside fellow UFC fighters like and . Silva featured prominently in the 2011 documentary Like Water, which chronicles his training and personal life leading up to his title defense against in 2010, offering an intimate look at the pressures of maintaining his championship reign. He also appeared as himself in various episodes of the UFC's behind-the-scenes series UFC Embedded, including during preparations in 2019, where he shared insights into his mindset and daily routine ahead of fights. On Brazilian television, Silva made multiple guest appearances on the popular variety show Domingão do Faustão, including episodes in 2010 and 2012 where he discussed his career, participated in segments like "Arquivo Confidencial," and even performed a dance routine, showcasing his celebrity status in . In 2023, the biographical miniseries Anderson Spider Silva premiered on Paramount+, detailing his journey from humble beginnings to UFC stardom, with Silva contributing interviews and archival footage to highlight his triumphs and challenges. Post-retirement from MMA in 2020, Silva continued exploring with roles in international productions, such as portraying Sensei Scott in an episode of the series NCIS: (2014), where he trained agents in techniques. His interest in , which he has described as a creative outlet complementing his athletic pursuits, led to further credits like Alexander Sinclair in the 2019 The Invincible Dragon.

Music Videos and Other Media

Anderson Silva has made notable appearances in music videos, showcasing his versatility beyond the ring. In 2011, he featured in Brazilian singer Marisa Monte's for the "Ainda Bem," where he performed dancing sequences that highlighted his agility and charisma. This collaboration with the prominent MPB artist emphasized Silva's cultural ties to Brazilian entertainment. On social media, Silva maintains a significant presence, with over 5.23 million Instagram followers as of November 2025, where he shares personal updates, training footage, and motivational content. His official YouTube channel, Spider Kick, features the "Kick Lab" tutorial series, in which he breaks down MMA techniques such as jabs, crosses, and sprawls for aspiring fighters and fans. Launched around 2019, these short videos (2-4 minutes each) provide accessible training lessons drawn from his championship experience. Silva has also starred in high-profile promotional videos for his bouts, amplifying anticipation through cinematic hype reels. For his 2022 boxing match against , an official trailer and music video-style promo depicted intense stare-downs and career highlights, garnering widespread attention on platforms like . Similarly, UFC-produced hype videos for his trilogy of fights with , including and 168, used dramatic montages of their rivalry to build event buzz, focusing on Silva's striking prowess and the stakes of their encounters.

Championships and Legacy

Major Titles and Awards

Anderson Silva captured the UFC Championship on October 14, 2006, by defeating via first-round TKO at UFC 64, initiating a reign that lasted until July 6, 2013, during which he made 10 successful defenses, the longest in UFC history at the time. His defenses included notable victories over opponents such as , Patrick Côté, and , solidifying his dominance in the division. Prior to his UFC tenure, Silva won the Cage Rage Championship on September 11, 2004, defeating by at Cage Rage 8. He defended the title twice: first against Curtis Stout via first-round KO on December 3, 2005, at Cage Rage 14, and then against via first-round KO on April 22, 2006, at Cage Rage 16, before vacating the belt to join the UFC. Silva's accomplishments earned him induction into the as part of the 2023 Pioneer Wing class, recognizing his transformative impact on the division and the sport. Additionally, his fifth-round submission victory over at in 2010 was named Fight of the Year by multiple outlets, including , for its dramatic comeback from near defeat, and the bout was inducted into the 's Fight Wing in 2024. His iconic front-kick knockout of in the first round at in 2011 was awarded Knockout of the Year by .

Records, Honors, and Impact

Anderson Silva holds the record for the longest UFC title reign at 2,457 days as champion from October 14, 2006, to July 6, 2013. He also achieved the most successful title defenses in UFC history with 10, surpassing previous benchmarks through consistent dominance over elite challengers. These accomplishments underscore his unparalleled control of the division during his peak years. In addition to his reign and defenses, Silva set several UFC striking records, including the most finishes in s at nine and the highest career significant striking accuracy at 61 percent. These statistics highlight his precision and finishing ability, with nine of his 11 victories ending before the final bell, often via or submission. His integration of techniques, such as clinch knees and elbows, significantly influenced the evolution of in MMA, encouraging fighters to incorporate more fluid, eight-limb striking from the art. Silva's legacy extends beyond statistics; he was inducted into the in 2023, recognizing his transformative impact on the sport. Various outlets have ranked him as the top MMA fighter of all time, including ESPN's 2013 list of the best UFC fighters ever. His precise, taunting striking style inspired successors like , who credited Silva's performances as a key influence on his own career and technique after watching him early in his rise. In , Silva played a pivotal role in popularizing MMA, elevating the sport's cultural status and inspiring a new generation of fighters from the country.

Fight Records

Mixed Martial Arts Record

Anderson Silva's professional record is 34–11–0, with one no contest (NC). Of his 34 victories, 23 were by (KO) or technical (TKO), three by submission, and eight by decision. His 11 defeats consist of four by KO/TKO, two by submission, four by decision, and one by disqualification. Silva's record breaks down by major promotions as follows: 10–1 in various Brazilian promotions (including Meca World , Brazilian Freestyle Circuit, Brazil events, and others); 3–2 in Pride FC; 4–0 in Cage Rage FC; 0–1 in Rumble on the Rock; and 17–7 (1 NC) in the (UFC). He has not fought in MMA since October 2020. The following table lists all of Silva's professional MMA bouts in reverse chronological order, including opponent, event, date, result, method, round, and time.
ResultOpponentEventDateMethodRoundTime
LossUriah HallUFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva2020-10-31TKO (Punches)41:24
LossJared CannonierUFC 237: Namajunas vs. Andrade2019-05-11TKO (Leg Kick)14:49
LossIsrael AdesanyaUFC 234: Adesanya vs. Silva2019-02-09Decision (Unanimous)35:00
WinDerek BrunsonUFC 208: Almeida vs. Garbrandt2017-02-11Decision (Unanimous)35:00
LossDaniel CormierUFC 200: Tate vs. Nunes2016-07-09Decision (Unanimous)35:00
LossMichael BispingUFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Bisping2016-02-27Decision (Unanimous)55:00
NCNick DiazUFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz2015-01-31No Contest (Overturned)55:00
LossChris WeidmanUFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 22013-12-28TKO (Leg Injury)21:16
LossChris WeidmanUFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman2013-07-06KO (Punches)21:18
WinStephan BonnarUFC 153: Silva vs. Bonnar2012-10-13TKO (Knee and Punches)14:40
WinChael SonnenUFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II2012-07-07TKO (Knees and Punches)21:55
WinYushin OkamiUFC 134: Silva vs. Okami2011-08-27TKO (Punches)22:04
WinVitor BelfortUFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort2011-02-05KO (Front Kick and Punches)13:25
WinChael SonnenUFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen2010-08-07Submission (Triangle Armbar)53:10
WinDemian MaiaUFC 112: Lesnar vs. Silva2010-04-10Decision (Unanimous)55:00
WinForrest GriffinUFC 101: Silva vs. Griffin2009-08-08KO (Punch)13:23
WinThales LeitesUFC 97: Redemption2009-04-18Decision (Unanimous)55:00
WinPatrick CôtéUFC 90: Silva vs. Côté2008-10-25TKO (Knee Injury)30:39
WinJames IrvinUFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Irvin2008-07-19KO (Punches)11:01
WinDan HendersonUFC 82: Pride vs. Legacy2008-03-01Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)24:52
WinRich FranklinUFC 77: Hostile Territory2007-10-20TKO (Knees)21:07
WinNate MarquardtUFC 73: Silva vs. Marquardt2007-07-07TKO (Punches)14:50
WinTravis LutterUFC 67: All or Nothing2007-02-03TKO (Elbows)22:11
WinRich FranklinUFC 64: Unstoppable2006-10-14KO (Knee)12:59
WinChris LebenUFC Fight Night: Holzman vs. Parisyan2006-06-28KO (Knee)10:49
WinTony FryklundCage Rage 16: Beavers vs. Guererro2006-04-22KO (Elbow)12:02
LossYushin OkamiROTR 8: New Breed2006-01-20Disqualification (Illegal Soccer Kick)12:33
WinCurtis StoutCage Rage 14: Clash of the Titans2005-12-03KO (Punches)14:59
WinJorge RiveraCage Rage 11: No Pain No Gain2005-04-30TKO (Knees and Punches)23:53
LossRyo ChonanPride Shockwave 20042004-12-31Submission (Heel Hook)33:08
WinLee MurrayCage Rage 82004-09-11Decision (Unanimous)35:00
WinJeremy HornGladiator FC: Day 22004-06-27Decision (Unanimous)35:00
WinWaldir dos AnjosConfederacao Fight 12003-12-20TKO (Corner Stoppage)15:00
LossDaiju TakasePride 26: Collision Course2003-06-08Submission (Triangle Choke)18:33
WinCarlos NewtonPride 25: Body Blow2003-03-16KO (Flying Knee)16:26
WinAlexander OtsukaPride 22: Beasts From the East 22002-09-29Decision (Unanimous)35:00
WinAlex StieblingPride 21: Stampede2002-06-23TKO (Doctor Stoppage)11:23
WinRoan CarneiroMeca 62002-01-31TKO (Punches)15:33
WinHayato SakuraiShooto: To The Top 72001-08-26Decision (Unanimous)35:00
WinIsrael AlbuquerqueMeca 52001-06-09TKO (Punches)16:17
WinTetsuji KatoShooto: To The Top 22001-03-02Decision (Unanimous)35:00
WinClaudionor da SilvaMeca 42000-12-16TKO (Punches and Knees)14:35
WinJose BarretoMeca 22000-08-12TKO (Head Kick)11:06
LossLuiz AzeredoMeca 12000-05-27Decision (Unanimous)210:00
WinFabricio CamoesBrazilian Freestyle Circuit 11997-06-25TKO (Retirement)125:14
WinRaimundo PinheiroBrazilian Freestyle Circuit 11997-06-25Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)11:53

Boxing Records

Anderson Silva's professional boxing career spans from 1998 to 2022, consisting of five bouts resulting in a record of 3 wins and 2 losses, with no draws. His victories include two stoppages, demonstrating his striking power even later in his career.
ResultRecordOpponent (Record)TypeRound, TimeDateVenueLocationNotes
Loss3–2 (6–0)UD8, 3:00October 29, 2022, U.S. (77–73, 77–73, 76–74); Paul scored a knockdown in round 8.
Win3–1 (0–1)KO1, 1:21September 11, 2021Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, U.S.Stoppage via punches; Ortiz's professional boxing debut.
Win2–1 (53–2–1)SD8, 3:00June 19, 2021Guadalajara, (77–75, 77–75, 75–77); event.
Win1–1Julio César de Jesus (0–1)KO2, ?:??August 5, 1998Ginásio de Esportes Antônio BalbinoSalvador, victory; de Jesus's professional debut.
Loss0–1Osmar Luiz Teixeira (10–3)KO1, ?:??May 22, 1998Ginásio Isael PastuchUnião da Vitória, First-round ; Silva's professional debut.
In addition to his professional bouts, Silva participated in exhibition boxing matches under modified rules, which do not count toward his official record. These events featured variations such as shorter rounds or restrictions on knockouts.
ResultOpponentTypeRoundsDateVenueLocationNotes
DrawExhibition5 × 2:00June 15, 2024Spaten Fight Night, No knockouts permitted; went full distance with light exchanges.
WinBruno MachadoExhibition8 × 2:00May 21, 2022The Global Titans Fight Series, UAESilva scored a knockdown in round 4; went to time limit but deemed a win for Silva due to dominance.
Of Silva's three professional wins, two ended by stoppage (KO/TKO), highlighting his ratio of 66.7%. As of November 2025, no additional professional or bouts have been recorded. A against scheduled for November 14, 2025, was cancelled following the postponement of the main event.

Muay Thai Record

Anderson Silva's early foray into professional was marked by challenges that ultimately shaped his elite striking prowess. He compiled a professional record of 1–2–0, including two losses to "Pele" Landi-Jons and a in 2003. Despite these setbacks, Silva gained invaluable experience in clinch work, knee strikes, and distance management. These bouts built the foundation for his legendary Muay Thai-influenced style in MMA. Additionally, Silva notched amateur wins in competitions during his teenage years, honing his technical base before transitioning to professional combat sports. One notable professional Muay Thai victory came on April 13, 2003, when Silva faced Tadeu Sanmartino at Storm Muay Thai in , . Silva dominated with precise kicks and punches, securing a first-round stoppage at 2:57, showcasing the explosive finishing ability that would define his future successes. This fight highlighted his adaptation of techniques, such as front kicks and combinations, despite his early professional setbacks under striking rules.
OpponentDateResultMethodRound/TimeEvent/Notes
Tadeu SanmartinoApril 13, 2003WinKO (kicks and punches)1 / 2:57Storm ,
Jose Landi-JonsUnknownLossUnknownUnknownProfessional bout
Jose Landi-JonsUnknownLossUnknownUnknownProfessional bout

Pay-per-View Events

MMA Appearances

Anderson Silva appeared on over 20 UFC events throughout his career, headlining 10 of them during his dominant championship reign from 2006 to 2013, which marked the division's highest commercial draw period. His performances consistently contributed to strong buy rates, elevating the UFC division's popularity and showcasing the sport's global appeal, particularly in . Key UFC pay-per-view events featuring Silva include his title-winning performance at UFC 64: Unstoppable against Rich Franklin on October 14, 2006, which drew 300,000 buys and marked his emergence as a superstar. Other standout cards were UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen on August 7, 2010, generating 600,000 buys amid the dramatic near-upset by Chael Sonnen; UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort on February 5, 2011, with 725,000 buys highlighted by his front-kick knockout of Vitor Belfort; and UFC 168: Weidman vs. Silva 2 on December 28, 2013, achieving 1,025,000 buys in the highly anticipated rematch following his shocking loss earlier that year. Prior to joining the UFC, Silva competed in major events, such as the 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix featured across Pride Total Elimination 2003 and Final Conflict 2003, culminating at Final Conflict 2003 on November 9, 2003, at with an attendance of approximately 67,450, where Silva lost in the semifinals to . These appearances helped establish Silva's international reputation before his UFC transition.
EventDateBuy Rate (UFC) / Attendance (Pride)Silva's Role
UFC 64: UnstoppableOctober 14, 2006300,000 buysMain event vs. (title win)
August 7, 2010600,000 buysMain event vs.
February 5, 2011725,000 buysMain event vs.
Pride Final Conflict 2003November 9, 200367,450 attendanceSemifinal vs. (2003 Grand Prix)
Silva's involvement in these high-profile cards not only drove significant revenue but also transformed the UFC division into one of the promotion's most watched weight classes during his era.

Boxing Appearances

Following his UFC release in 2020, Silva re-entered in 2021 with high-profile PPV matchups. On June 19, 2021, he faced former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in an eight-round bout at in Guadalajara, , broadcast as a PPV on FITE TV. Despite being a heavy underdog, Silva outboxed Chavez Jr. with superior footwork, combinations, and counters, earning a victory (scores: 97-93, 96-94, 96-94). The fight drew significant attention for pitting an MMA legend against a boxing pedigree, highlighting Silva's adaptability at age 46. Less than three months later, on September 11, 2021, Silva competed in a PPV bout against fellow MMA veteran Tito Ortiz at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, promoted by Triller Fight Club. In a first-round technical knockout, Silva landed a devastating left hook followed by uppercuts at 1:21, sending Ortiz crashing to the canvas and securing a quick stoppage. This performance underscored Silva's knockout power in pure boxing rules, reminiscent of his Muay Thai roots. Silva's most recent professional boxing PPV appearance came on October 29, 2022, against YouTuber-turned-boxer at the in , in an eight-round cruiserweight main event broadcast on Showtime PPV. Paul dominated the later rounds, knocking Silva down in the eighth, and won by (scores: 77-74 x3). At 47 years old, Silva showed resilience and landed sharp counters early but couldn't overcome the younger opponent's volume punching and youth.
DateOpponentResultTypeNotes
June 19, 2021Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.Win (UD 8)Professional PPVMiddleweight, 8 rounds; FITE TV PPV
September 11, 2021Tito OrtizWin (TKO 1)Professional PPVCruiserweight, 5 rounds scheduled; Triller PPV
October 29, 2022Jake PaulLoss (UD 8)Professional PPVCruiserweight, 8 rounds; Showtime PPV

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  62. https://www.lowkickmma.com/anderson-silva-knockouts-werent-allowed/
  63. https://www.mmafighting.com/boxing/450265/anderson-silva-vs-chris-weidman-trilogy-bout-set-for-boxing-ring-on-jake-paul-vs-tank-davis-undercard
  64. https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c620lz7d565o
  65. https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/46615040/silva-weidman-boxing-match-added-nov-14-paul-davis-card
  66. https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/46839317/jake-paul-gervonta-davis-exhibition-fight-nov-canceled
  67. https://box.live/boxers/anderson-silva/
  68. https://evolve-mma.com/blog/ode-to-muay-thai-anderson-silvas-top-5-finishes/
  69. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1585806-ufc-best-of-the-best-anderson-silvas-muay-thai-clinch-work
  70. https://dynamicstriking.com/blogs/news/dominating-clinch-details-with-anderson-silva
  71. https://www.foxsports.com/stories/ufc/anderson-silva-by-the-numbers
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  73. https://www.bjjee.com/featured/anderson-silva-receives-3rd-degree-on-black-belt-from-rodrigo-minotauro/
  74. https://www.ufc.com/news/blueprint-silva-vs-sonnen
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  83. https://www.borderreport.com/regions/california/mma-great-anderson-silva-becomes-u-s-citizen/
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