Fighter Profile: Thiago Silva

Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 205lbs

Age: 26

Current Organization: UFC

Professional Record: 13-1

Prior to his entrance into the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the middle of 2007, not many people knew who Thiago Silva was. Videos circulating on the Internet showed a hard-nosed Brazilian slugger with impressive timing and an intimidating physique, but not much else.

Following victories over James Irvin at UFC 71, Tomasz Drwal at UFC 75, Houston Alexander at UFC 78, and Antonio Mendes at UFC 84 in his first four trips to the Octagon, Silva had run his four-year professional record to 13-0 with all but one of the wins coming by way of knockout or submission, establishing himself as a top ten world light heavyweight in the process and a contender for the UFC 205lb crown.

> Pro Fighting Fans allows fans to browse or buy MMA apparel & clothing as well as UFC apparel & clothing.

American audiences have seen Silva’s confident and aggressive striking style work in the past, but a momentary scare in the Antonio Mendes fight would prove a sign of things to come, as Silva was knocked out in his very next fight at the end of the first round by a beautiful diving cross from current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida in January of this year at UFC 94.

While there is no shame in losing to the undefeated Light Heavyweight Champion of the UFC, Silva still has yet to get a marquee name on his impressive professional resume, so an upcoming August showdown with top light heavyweight Keith Jardine at UFC 102 on August 29 should provide him with a perfect opportunity to break back into the title conversation emphatically.

Notable Victories for Silva: N/A

Recent Thiago Silva MMA News:

• Lost to Rashad Evans by Unanimous Decision at UFC 108 on January 2, 2010 - UFC 108 results

• Is expected to face Tim Boetsch at UFC 117 on August 7, 2010 in Salt Lake City, UT - UFC 117 fight card & results

By Steven T. Kelliher
ProFighting-fans.com Senior Staff Writer
Published August 2009

Photo courtesy of UFC