Anderson Silva – UFC Fighter Profile
UFC Fighter ProfilesAnderson Silva – MMA Stats
Matches: 31
Wins: 27
Losses: 4
Wins by Knockout: 16
Wins by Submission: 4
Wins by Decision: 7
Losses by Knockout: 0
Losses by Submission: 2
Losses by Decision: 1
By Disqualification: 1
Anderson “The Spider” Silva was born April 14, 1975 and started acquiring his exceptional martial arts skills at the age of 14. He began learning Tae Kwon Do and was a black belt by the age of 18. He went on to train in Muay Thai, earned a black belt in Judo and a yellow rope in Capoeira, and also received a black belt in Barzialian Jiu-Jistu in 2006.
A former member of the Chute Boxe Academy, Silva left to form the Muay Thai Dream Team. Anderson Silva join the Black House team along with fellow members Assuerio Silva, Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort and the Nogueira brothers. Anderson and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira opened Team Nogueira MMA Academy in Miami, Florida.
Silva’s MMA career began in Brazil’s Mecca organization as a welterweight. His first fight resulted in a loss to Luiz Azeredo by split decision, but followed up with a nine-match win streak, 6 by TKO or submission. Anderson Silva traveled to Japan, winning his first match there. He was immediately scheduled to take on Shooto Champion Hayato Sakurai in August of 2001. Silva won the fight by unanimous decision in three rounds and was belted the new Shooto Middleweight Champion. Silva was the 21st competitor for Sakurai, and the first to ever defeat him.
With his championship belt in toe, Anderson “The Spider” Silva joined Pride. He won his first few matches in the PFC but finally suffered a loss at Pride 26 against Daiju Takase. Takase was considered the underdog, subject to Silva’s complete domination throughout the first round until Takase got Silva in a triangle choke hold. Silva submitted late in the first round.
In September of 2007, Anderson Silva made his Cage Rage debut in England, defeating Lee Murray by decision at Cage Rage 8. Silva returned to Pride in December of the same year, losing by forced submission to Ryo Chonan’s flying scissor heel hook in the third round.
In 2008, Silva suffered his only disqualification in Hawaii’s Rumble on the Rock. Silva clearly dominated the fight, but kicked his opponent Yushin Okami in the face while he was on his knees. The move was considered illegal, but Anderson claimed the rules were not clearly explained to him. He thought it was a perfectly legal maneuver. Okami was given the option to fight on, but chose to accept the win by disqualification. This upset Silva further as it was only the first round and Okami was visibly capable of fighting on. Silva responded that he “felt it was a cheap, cowardly way of winning.”
Silva maintained the Cage Rage championship title and defended his belt against Tony Fryklund, winning by TKO with a reverse elbow in the first round.
Many wondered where Anderson Silva would end up next, and the UFC was the resounding answer. He signed a multi-fight contract in April 2006 and debuted on Ultimate Fight Night 5 on June 28, 2006. His opponent was UFC undefeated Chris Leben, who predicted a KO victory. Silva was virtually unheard of in the USA, and blazed onto the scene by eliminating Leben just 49 seconds in the first round with a 100% strike accuracy.
Fans were polled on the UFC web site to determine Silva’s next opponent, and the unanimous decision was UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin. In October, UFC 64 featured Silva versus Franklin, with Silva winning by strikes 2:49 into the first round. Silva’s barrage of strikes left Franklin unable to return fire. Franklin’s nose was viciously shattered by Silva’s knee, and it wasn’t long before the fight was called.
Anderson Silva Defeats Rich Franklin to be named UFC Middleweight Champion
Silva was named UFC Middleweight Champion, being only the second fighter to defeat Rich Franklin. The first was fellow Black House teammate Lyoto Machida.
Anderson Silva has defended his title in UFC 67 (Travis Lutter), UFC 73 (Nate Marquardt) and UFC 77 (Rich Franklin). At UFC 82, Silva faced off with Pride Middleweight Champion Dan Henderson, with both UFC and Pride belts on the line. Once again, Anderson Silva was victorious.
Silva’s reign continued when he defeated Patrick Cote (injured knee; could not continue) at UFC 90 and Thales Leites in UFC 97.
Anderson Moves to UFC Light Heavyweight Division
Anderson switched to UFC Light Heavyweight division in 2009 fighting at 205 lbs against former division champion Forrest Griffin. Silva took the match by TKO in the first round. Anderson Silva’s match was deemed Beatdown of the Year by Sherdog, granting a nice little $60k prize.
Surgery for Anderson Silva puts career on pause
Silva underwent surgery that prevented him from competing in UFC 108, where he was scheduled to defend his UFC Middleweight Championship against Vitor Belfort. He also canceled the re-scheduled bout at UFC 109, stating his healing process was “not going as planned”.
Once more Silva was scheduled to fight Belfort at UFC 112. This time an injury to Belfort resulted in cancelation. Instead, Silva fought Demian Maia. He was ridiculed for taunting his opponent and avoiding contact throughout the first 5 rounds. When the referee warned Silva for his lack of action, the crowd had already begun to switch sides, now rooting for Maia. Silva won by unanimous decision at the end of round 5.
Silva ‘Runs like a jackass for five rounds’!
Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, was highly disappointed in Anderson’s fighting style that night and reprimanded him for running around “like a jackass for five rounds” (as Dana White so eloquently put it).
Anderson Silva is scheduled to defend his title once more at UFC 117 against Chael Sonnen on August 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. Soares commented, “If he [Silva] ever acts like that again in the ring, I will cut him.”
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