Thiago Silva

Brazilian striker known for violent knockouts who fought for UFC, WSOF, and ACB across a turbulent 15+ year career.

Thiago Silva entered the UFC with a 9-0 record, seven of those wins by knockout or TKO, having built his reputation in Brazil's regional circuit at the Chute Boxe Academy — the same gym that produced Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio Rua — before going on to fight some of the light heavyweight division's most notable names across a 12-fight UFC tenure. He trained early in his career at the renowned Chute Boxe Academy before later moving to American Top Team. Silva made his UFC debut in 2007 against James Irvin, winning via a first-round injury stoppage. His undefeated streak continued until a scheduled bout with future champion Lyoto Machida, which ended in a first-round knockout loss at UFC 94 after an earlier postponement due to injury. One of Silva's most memorable UFC performances came against Keith Jardine at UFC 102, where he dropped Jardine with a short left hook and finished him with ground strikes in the opening round. He went on to fight several of the light heavyweight division's most notable names, including Rashad Evans, across a UFC tenure spanning 12 fights. Silva later competed for World Series of Fighting and Poland's KSW promotion, continuing to compete into his late thirties. His career finished with a professional MMA record of 21-9, including a UFC mark of 7-3 with two no-contests, and a reputation as one of the hardest-hitting light heavyweights of his generation.

Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt with heavy hands and a powerful finishing instinct

A respected hard-hitting contender in one of the UFC's most competitive divisions

• ACB Light Heavyweight Championship 2017, one reign, 0 successful defenses