Thiago Silva - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Thiago Anderson Ramos da Silva (tʃiˈaɡu ˈsiwvɐ; born November 12, 1982) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who got his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a martial art, combat sport, and a self defense system that focuses on grappling and especially ground fighting...

black belt under Jorge Patino

Jorge Patino

Jorge Luis Patino is a Brazilian vale tudo fighter whose career began in the 1990s. His style is focused around his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills. He is best remembered for his two epic vale tudo fights with Jose "Pele" Landi-Jons. Although he lost both fights, the pace and brutality of the fights...

. Silva currently competes in the Light Heavyweight

Light Heavyweight (MMA)

The light heavyweight division in mixed martial arts generally refers to competitors weighing between 186 and 205 lb . It sits between the lighter middleweight division, and the heavyweight division....

division for the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Once a member of the renowned Chute Boxe Academy

Chute Boxe Academy

The Chute Boxe Academy opened as a Muay Thai academy in 1978 in Curitiba, Brazil. Head trainer Rudimar Fedrigo later expanded the program in 1991 to include Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other aspects of modern mixed martial arts. By 1995, the Chute Boxe team was considered a prime training ground for...

, Silva now trains with established fighting stable American Top Team

American Top Team

American Top Team is one of the leading teams in mixed martial arts. It was founded by former members of Brazilian Top Team, Ricardo Liborio, Marcus Silveira and Marcelo Silveira but there is no formal affiliation between the two teams. ATT's main academy is in Coconut Creek, Florida but has...

Early career

Prior to signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship

Ultimate Fighting Championship

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the largest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world that hosts most of the top-ranked fighters in the sport...

, Silva fought almost solely in his native country of Brazil

Brazil

Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...

. During his first 9 professional bouts, he attained a perfect 9–0 record, winning 7 of these bouts by KO

Ko or KO may refer to:* Ko , a Tamil action movie directed by K.V. Anand released in April 2011* Ko , the romanization of the Japanese kana こ and コ* Ko Mountain, the second highest peak in Sikhote-Alin*Ko, Lamphun, Thailand...

or TKO and 1 by submission

Submission

Submission is the acknowledgement of the legitimacy of the power of one's superior or superiors.Submission may also refer to:* Submission/Submitter , an Islamic organisation...

. Thiago also won the Fury FC 2 Grand Prix in 2006.

UFC career

Silva made his UFC debut against James Irvin

James Irvin (fighter)

James Lee Irvin is an American mixed martial artist who has competed as a Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, and currently as a Heavyweight. He is a former World Extreme Cagefighting heavyweight champion...

at UFC 71

UFC 71

UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The event took place on Saturday, May 26, 2007 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Background:...

. During the first round, Irvin injured his knee after a takedown from Silva and was unable to continue the fight. Silva was awarded the win by TKO. Silva's next fight was against UFC newcomer Tomasz Drwal at UFC 75

UFC 75

UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.The event was held September 8, 2007 at The O2 in London, England. The event was on Setanta Sports 1 in the United Kingdom, TV4 Sport in Sweden, PPV1 in Ireland, and offered on tape delay on...

. Silva won the fight by TKO due to strikes in the second round.

Following his first two wins, Silva made his televised debut as part of the main card of UFC 78

UFC 78

UFC 78: Validation was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship , that took place on November 17, 2007 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey...

against Houston Alexander

Houston Alexander

Houston Alexander is an American professional mixed martial artist, who fights as a light heavyweight and heavyweight. He also works as a DJ in North Omaha, Nebraska...

. During the bout, he quickly exposed Alexander's ground game, which had been untested in Alexander's first two knockout

Knockout

A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...

victories. After reversing position and securing the mount, Silva rained down punches until his opponent was knocked out in the opening round.

Silva was next slated to face future UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans

Rashad Evans

Rashad Anton Evans is an American mixed martial artist from Niagara Falls, New York, currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Evans won the heavyweight division of The Ultimate Fighter 2. Evans lost the UFC Light Heavyweight...

at UFC 84

UFC 84

UFC 84: Ill Will was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 24, 2008, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Overview:...

, but Evans was forced to pull out after being asked to fill in for a fight against Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell

Charles David "Chuck" Liddell is a retired American mixed martial artist and former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion. Liddell has an extensive striking background in Kempo, Koei-Kan karate and kickboxing, as well as a grappling background in collegiate wrestling.As of his...

at UFC 88

UFC 88

UFC 88: Breakthrough was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on September 6, 2008 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was headlined by a light heavyweight bout between Chuck Liddell and Rashad Evans....

. Instead, Silva squared off against UFC newcomer Antonio Mendes

Antonio Mendes

Antonio Mendes is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. He competes in the Light Heavyweight division.Mendes was scheduled to participate in the light-heavyweight tournament at KSW XIII, meeting Wojciech Orłowski in the first tournament round...

. After being dropped and momentarily stunned by a head kick from Mendes, Silva survived the flurry of strikes from Mendes and managed to take him down, securing the mounted position. From the dominant position, Silva pounced away with punches and elbows until Mendes tapped out due to strikes in the opening round.

Originally scheduled to face fellow undefeated light heavyweight contender Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Carvalho Machida is a Japanese-Brazilian mixed martial artist from Belém, Brazil who fights as a light heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...

at UFC 89

UFC 89

UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on October 18, 2008 at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England. The event was headlined by a middleweight bout between Michael Bisping and Chris Leben...

, Silva was forced to withdraw from the fight due to an injured back suffered while training. The fight was later rescheduled and took place at UFC 94

UFC 94

UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2 was a mixed martial arts pay-per-view event promoted by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 31, 2009. The card featured five televised MMA bouts, as well as five un-aired preliminary bouts...

. Machida won via one punch Knockout at the end of the opening round, ending Silva's thirteen fight undefeated streak.

Silva was slated to fight former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin

Forrest Griffin is an American mixed martial artist. He is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship where he is a former UFC light heavyweight champion....

, but Dana White instead chose to match Griffin against long time middleweight champion Anderson Silva

Anderson Silva

Anderson da Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. He is the current UFC Middleweight Champion and the promotion's longest reigning champion. With 14 consecutive wins, Silva holds the longest winning streak and title defense streak in UFC history...

. He instead fought Keith Jardine

Keith Jardine

Keith Hector Jardine is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division and is best known for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...

at UFC 102

UFC 102

UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 29, 2009 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon...

. Early in the fight Silva countered an uppercut by Jardine with a short left hook that dropped Jardine, Silva then followed up with four punches on the ground rendering Jardine unconscious, stopping the fight at 1:35 of the first round.

He next fought Keith Jardine

Keith Jardine

Keith Hector Jardine is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division and is best known for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...

's friend and training partner Rashad Evans

Rashad Evans

in the main event at UFC 108

UFC 108

UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.- Background :...

, and lost in a unanimous decision. Evans was able to keep octagon control through aggressive wrestling and takedowns throughout the majority of the fight, though Silva connected with two hooks that dropped Evans and momentarily dazed him in the final round. The judges scored the bout 29-28 in favour of Evans, resulting in Silva's second professional MMA loss. After the bout with Evans, it was confirmed that Silva had three herniated discs prior to the fight.

Silva was scheduled to face Tim Boetsch

Tim Boetsch

Tim Boetsch is an American mixed martial artist currently fighting in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship . He was released by the UFC in late June 2009, with a record of 2 wins and 2 losses...

at UFC 117

UFC 117

UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 7, 2010 at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, United States.-Background:...

, but was forced off the card with a back injury and replaced by UFC newcomer Todd Brown.

Silva fought fellow Muay Thai

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...

expert Brandon Vera

Brandon Vera

Brandon Michael Vera is an American mixed martial artist. He competes as a light heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He is the winner of the WEC 13 Heavyweight Tournament and currently resides in San Diego, California. He holds notable victories over Frank Mir, Assuerio Silva,...

on January 1, 2011 at UFC 125

UFC 125

UFC 125: Resolution was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:...

. He won by unanimous decision after dominating Brandon Vera with ground and pound, including open palm thrusts which resulted in Vera's nose being broken.

UFC 125 Drug Test

Silva was expected to face the former light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson

Quinton Jackson

Quinton Ramone Jackson ;, also known as Rampage Jackson, is an American mixed martial artist and actor. He is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Jackson rose to prominence in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships where he was noted for his powerful body slams including a knockout victory over...

on May 28, 2011 at UFC 130

UFC 130

UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 28, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:...

, although there were rumors that the fight had been canceled due to injury or failed drug tests from his UFC 125

UFC 125

UFC 125: Resolution was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:...

bout. In a statement with Brazilian MMA site Tatame, Thiago denied that he was injured; "Injured? Me? I’m very healthy. That’s not true and looks like the NSAC

Nevada Athletic Commission

The Nevada Athletic Commission regulates all contests and exhibitions of unarmed combat within the state of Nevada, including licensure and supervision of promoters, boxers, kickboxers, mixed martial arts fighters, seconds, ring officials, managers, and matchmakers...

did two tests, one was positive and the other negative, I'm calm."

Following this statement, Keith Kizer, the commissioner of the NSAC

Nevada Athletic Commission

, confirmed that Thiago Silva’s samples are still undergoing tests; "That’s not accurate. We have gotten only the first sample back. It could be weeks before we find out the results for the second test." The UFC didn't want to take any chances in waiting for the second test for Silva, so they replaced Silva with Matt Hamill

Matt Hamill

Matthew S. Hamill is a retired American wrestler and mixed martial artist. He is a three-time NCAA Division III National Champion in wrestling while attending the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York...

.

On March 29, Kizer released the details surrounding the questions about Silva's UFC 125 drug test. He confirmed that the findings, after two different drug testing facilities analyzed his urine sample, were inconsistent with human urine. This suggests that Silva submitted either an altered or substituted specimen for the sample used in the drug test. The Nevada State Athletic Commission will discuss a temporary suspension at a hearing on April 7 as well as the possibility of ruling his most recent victory a no contest.

On March 30 Silva released a statement admitting using a urine adulterant.
Silva said he doesn't want to make an excuse for his behavior, but he did hope to offer an explanation for his decisions.
After the hearing, the Nevada State Athletic Commission handed Silva a one-year suspension along with changing his previous win over Brandon Vera at UFC 125 to a no contest, forfeiture of 25 percent of his purse, and $20,000 out of a $55,000 win bonus.

Personal life

Silva ran away from home at age 13 due to his abusive father, never to see his mother or younger brother again. From age 13 onwards, he lived on his own in the favelas or slums of São Paulo. At age 18, he began to train in mixed martial arts and due to his poverty often had to choose between eating and training.

Silva currently resides in Coconut Creek, Florida with his wife Thaysa who is a black belt in BJJ as well.

Mixed martial arts

Fury FC 2: Final Combat
- Lightweight Heavyweight Tournament Winner

Mixed martial arts record

|-
| NC
|align=center| 14–2 (1)
| Brandon Vera

Brandon Vera

| No contest (overturned by NSAC)
| UFC 125

UFC 125

UFC 125: Resolution was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 1, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States.-Background:...

Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...

Rashad Evans

| Decision (unanimous)
| UFC 108

UFC 108

UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on January 2, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.- Background :...

Las Vegas, Nevada

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 14–1
| Keith Jardine

Keith Jardine

Keith Hector Jardine is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the light heavyweight division and is best known for his time in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...

| KO (punches)
| UFC 102

UFC 102

UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on August 29, 2009 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon...

Portland, Oregon

Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...

Lyoto Machida

Lyoto Carvalho Machida is a Japanese-Brazilian mixed martial artist from Belém, Brazil who fights as a light heavyweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship...

| KO (punch)
| UFC 94

UFC 94

Las Vegas, Nevada

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 13–0
| Antonio Mendes

Antonio Mendes

| Submission (punches)
| UFC 84

UFC 84

UFC 84: Ill Will was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on May 24, 2008, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.-Overview:...

Las Vegas, Nevada

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 12–0
| Houston Alexander

Houston Alexander

Houston Alexander is an American professional mixed martial artist, who fights as a light heavyweight and heavyweight. He also works as a DJ in North Omaha, Nebraska...

| KO (punches)
| UFC 78

UFC 78

UFC 78: Validation was a mixed martial arts event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship , that took place on November 17, 2007 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey...

Newark, New Jersey

Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 11–0
| Tomasz Drwal
| TKO (punches)
| UFC 75

UFC 75

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

, England
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 10–0
| James Irvin

James Irvin (fighter)

| TKO (knee injury)
| UFC 71

UFC 71

Las Vegas, Nevada

, United States
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 9–0
| Tatsuya Mizuno

Tatsuya Mizuno

is a Japanese light heavyweight mixed martial artist. He has fought at events of Dream, Pancrase and M-1 Global.-Biography and career:Mizuno started competing in judo in high school, and holds a 3rd dan black belt in the discipline...

Tokyo

, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...

, Japan
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 8–0
| Vitor Vianna

Vitor Vianna

Vitor Vianna is a Brazilian mixed martial artist, who has competed in mixed martial arts events in Brazil, Holland, and in the United States. He is the #3 ranked Middleweight prospect in the world. He is also ranked as the #69 Light Heavyweight fighter in the world by FightMatrix.com. This ranking...

São Paulo

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...

São Paulo

São Paulo

, Brazil
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 5–0
| Dave Dalgliesh

Dave Dalgliesh

Dave Dalgliesh is a Dutch mixed martial artist who has competed for M-1 Mixfight, KSW, K-1, and Shooto. Dave has fought UFC top veterans Cheick Kongo and Thiago Silva, as well as the Chechen-Polish standout Mamed Khalidov....

São Paulo

São Paulo

São Paulo

, Brazil
|
|-
| Win
|align=center| 2–0
| Flavio Polones
| KO
| Arena Combat Cup 2
|
|align=center| 1
|align=center| N/A
| São Paulo

São Paulo

São Paulo

, Brazil
|

External links

Official UFC Profile

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