Issue 043

November 2008

Widely regarded as the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighter, Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva is a fighter’s fighter. Humble, extremely motivated, ruthless, personable, talented and always a pleasure to watch, Silva inspires the audience as much he as intimidates the opposition.    

STATISTICS

Fights out of Curitiba, Brazil

Height 6’ 2”

Age 33

Category Middleweight 

Fighting style Muay Thai, BJJ

In MMA since 2000

For many fans, Silva seemingly came from nowhere and raided the UFC with a series of impressive finishes, bagging the 185lb belt in the process. His wins over Rich Franklin, Nate Marquardt and Dan Henderson have established him as the top middleweight fighter in the world, but Silva, open to the idea of a new challenge, happily moved up to light heavyweight for a special match with James Irvin, who fared little better than any other of Silva’s opponents.  

With a title defence scheduled for October against the Canadian Patrick Cote, Silva has said he would consider flitting between the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions if the “right” fights were available. Whether this could set up potential superfights with notable 205lb fighters remains to be seen, but with his reign of dominance in full momentum, Anderson Silva isn’t going anywhere soon.  

Mind

Clinically efficient in his approach to fighting, Silva has one of the strongest mindsets in the sport. He enters the Octagon with a laser-like focus and directs this energy at his opponent with a ruthless intensity. He remains extremely cool under pressure, even when in bad situations (the first round against Dan Henderson was a perfect example of this), yet switches off completely and becomes his usual amiable self once the fight is over.  

Knees

With long, lanky legs, one of Silva’s most dangerous weapons are his knee strikes. He is extremely adept at controlling his opponent in the clinch and landing knees to the head and the body, but he also throws knees from long range, much like a kick. He famously knocked out Carlos Newton with a flying knee in 2003, and his knees were the major factor in the downfall of fighters such as Rich Franklin, Chris Leben and Dan Henderson.  

Long arms

With a 77.5-inch reach from fingertip to fingertip, Silva has among the longest arms in his division. He is able to pick his opponents apart with punches before tying them up in a Muay Thai-style clinch and battering them with knees and elbows.   

CAREER SNAPSHOT

2000

Unsuccessfully begins MMA career as a lightweight in his hometown of Curitiba in Brazil. Representing the Chute Boxe academy, Silva goes 2-1 in his first year as a pro.   

2001

Travels to Japan and wins in Shooto. Is invited back and is the first man to defeat Shooto 167lb champion Hayato Sakurai.   

2002

Makes Pride debut, defeating Alex ‘The Brazilian Killa’ Stiebling by TKO.  

2004

Fights the infamous Lee Murray in London, winning a solid three-round decision. Loses by flying scissor heel hook to Ryo Chonan, a clip that gets played over and over as one of the greatest submissions ever.  

2006

Makes UFC debut against Chris Leben, winning by TKO in just 49 seconds. Five months later snags Rich Franklin’s middleweight title with a first round TKO victory.   

2007

Fights three times in the UFC, with none of his opponents making it past the second round.  

2008

After putting former Pride champion Dan Henderson away inside two rounds, goes up to light heavyweight for a special fight against James Irvin, who lasts only 61 seconds.