Fighter Profile: Anderson Silva

Overall Record: 25-4

UFC Record: 10-0

Hometown: Curitiba, Brazil

Height: 6’2” Weight: 185

Anderson “The Spider” Silva is the current UFC Middleweight (185 lbs) champion. He is also a former member of the famed Chute Boxe fight team. He currently trains with Team Nogueira along former UFC Heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and his twin brother Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

The 34- year old Brazilian muay-thai specialist began his MMA career nine years ago by losing to Luis Azeredo via decision. He quickly turned his fortunes around by winning his next 9 fights. Included during that streak were wins over Japanese superstar Hayato Sakurai and UFC/PRIDE vet Carlos Newton.

After hammering out 9 consecutive wins, he followed that up with a 6-3 record during his next series of bouts. “The Spider” picked up wins over Jorge Rivera, Jeremy Horn and Lee Murray during that time. He also suffered three setbacks against the likes of Daiju Takase, Ryo Chonan, and Yushin Okami in that span as well.

After a 15-4 start to his career that included Shooto and Cage Rage Middleweight championship belts he was brought overseas to the United States and in particular the UFC. His introduction to the UFC was one that many fans will not forget. He dismantled Ultimate Fighter veteran Chris Leben with a brutal KO in 49 seconds to secure his first UFC win.

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Anderson’s next fight was for the UFC middleweight belt against longtime champ and fan favorite Rich Franklin. He proceeded to use dangerous muay-thai knees to earn another 1st round KO win and earn the title at UFC 64 in October of 2006. Since that title bout he has defended his title against UFC fighters: Nate Marquardt, Rich Franklin, again, Dan Henderson and most recently Patrick Cote at UFC 90 in October of 2008.

While staying busy defending his Middleweight belt over the last 2½ years, Anderson also has beat an overweight Travis Lutter and stepped up in weight to KO James Irvin in the Light Heavyweight division.

During his tenure with the UFC he has only been taken into the third round one time. He has picked up 6 TKO/KO wins and 2 submissions wins during his record tying 8 fight UFC win streak. With a win over Thales Leites in his UFC 97 title fight he will move by Royce Gracie and Jon Fitch and have the record all to himself.

Although Silva has taken some criticism about his last fight against Patrick Cote not being “himself” he continues to knock down each and every competitor put in front of him. He has beaten strikers, wrestlers and ground specialists along the way up the ladder. And while MMA journalists keep bringing up the word “retirement” Silva seems focused and unfazed.

In his most recent fight, The Spider took on top Middleweight contender Thales Leites at UFC 97. In what was described as an extremely boring fight by most everyone who witnessed it, Silva took home the Unanimous Decision victory defeating Leites 49-46, 48-47, 50-46.

The Spider will take the next step in his legacy by trying to move up to Light Heavyweight (205 pounds) to face off with former Champion and The Ultimate Fighter season 1 winner Forrest Griffin. The two will square off at UFC 101 where Griffin will look to be the first to defeat Silva in UFC competition.

Recent Anderson Silva MMA News:

• Defeated Forrest Griffin by KO at UFC 101 on August 8, 2009 - UFC 101 results

• Will face Demian Maia at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi on April 10, 2010 - UFC 112 fight card & results

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
Updated July 2009, Updated January 2010

Photo courtesy UFC