Anderson Silva

Brazilian mixed martial artist widely regarded as the greatest middleweight fighter of all time, known for his striking precision and creativity.

Anderson Silva was born in Curitiba, Brazil in 1975. He won the UFC middleweight championship in 2006 and defended it 16 consecutive times — the most in UFC history and one of the most dominant individual championship reigns in any combat sport. His combinations — the precision of his counter-striking, his ability to slip punches and create space — are considered the finest technique in MMA striking history. He suffered a catastrophic broken leg when Chris Weidman checked his kick in his rematch in 2013, ending his championship reign. He tested positive for multiple banned substances in 2015 — receiving a two-year suspension. He continued fighting into his 40s including in boxing exhibitions.

Silva was renowned for his exceptional striking ability, combining precision, timing, and creativity with devastating knockout power. His background in muay Thai and boxing allowed him to execute complex combinations while his unorthodox movement and head movement made him extremely difficult to hit. He possessed remarkable counter-striking skills and often taunted opponents to draw them into exchanges where he could capitalize with precise finishing strikes.

Anderson Silva is widely regarded as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time and revolutionized the sport with his artistic approach to fighting. His dominance during the UFC's growth period helped establish mixed martial arts as a mainstream sport globally.

• UFC Middleweight Champion 2006-2013
• 16 consecutive title defences
• Most TDs in UFC middleweight history
• UFC Hall of Fame inductee
• Fighter of the Year 2006
• Performance of the Night (multiple)