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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Sports Desk • Mma

Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and professional boxer, best known for his long reign as UFC Middleweight Champion.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Anderson Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and professional boxer, widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. He held the UFC Middleweight Championship from 2006 to 2013, a record 2,457-day reign.

What it is

Anderson Silva, nicknamed "The Spider," is a former UFC Middleweight Champion who unified that title with the Pride World Welterweight Championship. He recorded 16 consecutive UFC victories during his title run and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023.

Key details

Silva was born on 14 April 1975 in São Paulo, Brazil. His UFC title reign is the longest in company history. He left the UFC in November 2020 and later returned to boxing. His most famous loss came to Chris Weidman in 2013, when a checked kick broke his left leg.

Why it matters

Silva is commonly listed among the greatest MMA fighters ever due to his championship longevity, finishing ability, and record-setting title defenses. His legacy continues to influence the sport, and his Hall of Fame induction in 2023 cements his place in history.

In short

  • Held UFC middleweight title for a record 2,457 days.
  • Recorded 16 consecutive UFC victories during his title run.
  • Inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in July 2023.
  • Left UFC in 2020 and continued boxing career.

Quick questions

Who is Anderson Silva?
Anderson Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and professional boxer best known as a former UFC Middleweight Champion and one of the sport’s most celebrated fighters.
How old is Anderson Silva?
He was born on 14 April 1975, which makes him 51 years old.
What happened to Anderson Silva's leg?
In his UFC 168 fight against Chris Weidman in December 2013, Silva’s left leg broke after a checked kick in the second round.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anderson_Silva
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, career overview, UFC title reign, UFC Hall of Fame induction, leaving UFC in 2020, return to boxing.
  2. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2335447/anderson-silva
    Supports: Birthdate, fight history and recent losses.
  3. Tapology — https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/anderson-silva-the-spider
    Supports: Career disclosed earnings, birthdate, last fight, record.
  4. UFC Stats — https://ufcstats.com/fighter-details/1f454354805b6f75
    Supports: Date of birth and official UFC fighter record.
  5. Famous Birthdays — https://www.famousbirthdays.com/people/anderson-silva.html
    Supports: Age based on birthdate and public biographical details; title reign context.