Bruno Silva (born July 13, 1989) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
| Bruno Silva | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 13, 1989 Cajazeiras, Paraíba, Brazil |
| Other names | Armored Blindado |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb) |
| Division | Middleweight |
| Reach | 74 in (188 cm) |
| Team | Evolução Thai (2014–present)[1] |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu[2] |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 34 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 20 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Losses | 11 |
| By submission | 7 |
| By decision | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Silva started training in 2009 and after three months, he had his first fight. At first, it was out of curiosity because in the interior of Paraíba there was not much of a fighting culture, but after three months of training, Silva lost his father and fighting was a therapy.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Upon turning pro in 2010 up until 2012, Silva went just 6-5 in 11 contests. Silva racked up a record of 9–5 in Brazilian regional circuit before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 in 2013. “Blindado” then rattled off 14 wins in his last 16 outings. Silva lived in the northeast of Brazil, in a very small city that had no MMA structure, having to work in other professions. Silva credited his turn around to dedicating himself to his athletic career after 2012.[4]
The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil
He passed the tryouts, advancing to the preliminary round where he however was knockout out by Vitor Miranda, and was eliminated from the season.[5]
Russian circuit
After TUF tryouts Silva amassed seven more wins with one loss, and signed with Russian Cagefighting Championship. He made his promotional debut against Gennadiy Kovalev at RCC 2 on February 24, 2018. He won the fight via first-round knockout.
He then signed with M-1 Global and made his promotional debut against Alexander Shlemenko at M-1 Challenge 93 – Shlemenko vs. Silva on June 1, 2018. He won the fight via first round knockout.[6]
The win lined him up for a fight against Artem Frolov for the M-1 Global Middleweight Championship which took place at M-1 Challenge 98 - Frolov vs. Silva on November 2, 2018.[7] He claimed the championship via fourth-round technical knockout.[8]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
In May 2019 it was announced that Silva had signed with the UFC. He was scheduled to replace injured Markus Perez against Deron Winn on June 22, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 154.[9] On June 16, it was reported that Silva was forced to pull out of the contest due to a potential anti-doping violation by USADA and was replaced by returning veteran Eric Spicely.[10] In January 2020, news surfaced that Silva was suspended for two years for testing positive for boldenone, but at the time USADA did not confirm the news due to pending hearing.[11] Ultimately in late June 2020, USADA announced the suspension, stating Silva would be eligible to return to competition after June 14, 2021.[12]
Ultimately, Silva made his promotional debut against Wellington Turman at UFC on ESPN 25 on June 19, 2021.[13] Silva won the fight via first-round knockout.[14]
In the sophomore appearance Silva faced Andrew Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 195 on October 16, 2021.[15] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three.[16] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[17]
Silva next faced Jordan Wright at UFC 269 on December 11, 2021.[18] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[19] The win also earned Silva his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award.[20]
Silva faced Alex Pereira on March 12, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 203.[21] Silva got outstruck for all three rounds and lost the fight via unanimous decision.[22]
Silva faced Gerald Meerschaert on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 41[23] He lost the fight via a guillotine choke in round three.[24]
Silva was scheduled to face Albert Duraev on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216.[25] However, he was pulled from the event due to injury and he was replaced by Michał Oleksiejczuk.[26]
Silva faced Brad Tavares on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222.[27] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.[28] This performance earned Silva his third Performance Of The Night award.[29]
Silva faced Brendan Allen on June 24, 2023 at UFC on ABC 5.[30] He lost the bout in the first round via a rear-naked choke submission.[31]
Silva faced Shara Magomedov on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294.[32] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[33]
Silva faced former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54.[34] He lost the fight after a third-round TKO stoppage by the referee. The fight was later overruled to a technical unanimous decision win for Weidman, as Silva was poked in both eyes while Weidman was throwing the combination that dropped Silva. Silva claimed that he fell due to the eye pokes.[35] Silva's attempt to appeal the decision loss was unsuccessful.[36]
Personal life
Silva and his fiancée have a daughter.[37]
Championships and accomplishments
- M-1 Global
- M-1 Global Middleweight Championship (one time; former)
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three Times) vs. Andrew Sanchez, Jordan Wright and Brad Tavares[17][20][29]
Mixed martial arts record
| 34 matches | 23 wins | 11 losses |
| By knockout | 20 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 7 |
| By decision | 3 | 3 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 23–11 | Chris Weidman | Technical Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot | March 30, 2024 | 3 | 2:18 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Originally ruled a TKO (punches) win for Weidman; changed to a decision by the athletic commission due to Silva suffering an eye poke leading to the stoppage. |
| Loss | 23–10 | Sharabutdin Magomedov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 294 | October 21, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 23–9 | Brendan Allen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria | June 24, 2023 | 1 | 4:39 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 23–8 | Brad Tavares | TKO (knee and punch) | UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes | April 22, 2023 | 1 | 3:35 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 22–8 | Gerald Meerschaert | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz | August 13, 2022 | 3 | 1:39 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Loss | 22–7 | Alex Pereira | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev | March 12, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 22–6 | Jordan Wright | TKO (punches) | UFC 269 | December 11, 2021 | 1 | 1:28 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 21–6 | Andrew Sanchez | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont | October 16, 2021 | 3 | 2:35 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 20–6 | Wellington Turman | KO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige | June 19, 2021 | 1 | 4:45 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 19–6 | Artem Frolov | TKO (punches) | M-1 Challenge 98: Frolov vs. Silva | November 2, 2018 | 4 | 3:36 | Chelyabinsk, Russia | Won the M-1 Global Middleweight Championship. |
| Win | 18–6 | Alexander Shlemenko | KO (punches) | M-1 Challenge 93: Shlemenko vs. Silva | June 1, 2018 | 1 | 2:54 | Chelyabinsk, Russia | |
| Win | 17–6 | Gennadiy Kovalev | KO (knee) | RCC 2 | February 24, 2018 | 1 | 4:10 | Chelyabinsk, Russia | |
| Win | 16–6 | Matheus Mussato | TKO (punches) | Katana Fight 4 | November 25, 2017 | 1 | 1:10 | Colombo, Brazil | |
| Loss | 15–6 | Moise Rimbon | Submission (kimura) | Phoenix FC 1 | December 10, 2016 | 2 | 4:12 | Zouk Mikael, Lebanon | |
| Win | 15–5 | Tiago Varejão | Decision (unanimous) | Imortal FC 4 | May 21, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Win | 14–5 | Flavio Magon | Decision (unanimous) | Imortal FC 2 | December 13, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | São José dos Pinhais, Brazil | |
| Win | 13–5 | Rodrigo Carlos | KO (punches) | Aspera FC 24 | September 12, 2015 | 1 | 1:56 | São José, Brazil | |
| Win | 12–5 | Fabio Aguiar | TKO (punches) | Iron Fight Combat 8 | June 6, 2015 | 2 | 3:09 | Feira de Santana, Brazil | |
| Win | 11–5 | Alex Junius | TKO (punches) | Curitiba Fight Pro 3 | March 7, 2015 | 1 | 4:59 | Curitiba, Brazil | |
| Win | 10–5 | José de Batista Neto | TKO (punches) | The Hill Fighters 3 | September 20, 2014 | 1 | 1:29 | Bento Gonçalves, Brazil | Catchweight (196 lb) bout. |
| Win | 9–5 | Douglas Almeida | KO (punches) | Crajubar Fight 2 | July 6, 2013 | 1 | 3:16 | Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–5 | Cássio de Oliveira | KO (punches) | 1 | 2:39 | ||||
| Win | 7–5 | Janio da Silva Dantas | TKO (punches) | Crajubar Fight | March 30, 2013 | 1 | 2:50 | Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–5 | Savio Montenegro | TKO (punches) | Xoperia Fight 2 | September 22, 2012 | 1 | 3:27 | Crato, Brazil | |
| Loss | 5–5 | Cássio de Oliveira | Submission (heel hook) | Carpina Fighting Championship 2 | June 2, 2012 | 1 | 3:52 | Carpina, Brazil | |
| Loss | 5–4 | Felipe Dantas | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Paradise Fighting RN | March 10, 2012 | 1 | 1:36 | Canguaretama, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–3 | Thiago Buarque | TKO (punches) | Campina Show Fight 3 | October 27, 2011 | 2 | 4:12 | Campina Grande, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–3 | Felipe Kezen | Decision (split) | Camaragibe Fight Championship | August 23, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Camaragibe, Brazil | |
| Loss | 3–3 | Savio Montenegro | DQ (illegal upkick) | Ceara Fighters Championship 2 | July 8, 2011 | 3 | 2:39 | Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–2 | Eduardo Mahal | KO (punches) | Campina Show Fight 2 | April 1, 2011 | 2 | 2:13 | Campina Grande, Brazil | |
| Loss | 2–2 | Isac Almeida | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Desafio Fighter 5 | February 25, 2011 | 1 | 2:51 | Cajazeiras, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–1 | Alisson Moura | TKO (Punches) | Desafio Fighter 4 | December 11, 2010 | 1 | 4:02 | Ipaumirim, Brazil | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Rodrigo Carlos | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Desafio Fighter 3 | July 24, 2010 | 1 | 2:50 | Sousa, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Junior Pitbull | TKO (knee injury) | Champions Night 14 | June 5, 2010 | 2 | 2:55 | Fortaleza, Brazil | Middleweight debut. |