Bruno Silva (fighter)

Last updated
Bruno Silva
BornBruno Arruda da Silva [1]
(1989-07-13) July 13, 1989 (age 35)
Cajazeiras, Paraíba, Brazil
Other namesBlindado
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Division Middleweight
Reach74 in (188 cm)
TeamEvolução Thai (2014–present) [2]
RankBlack belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu [3]
Years active2010–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total36
Wins23
By knockout20
By decision3
Losses13
By knockout1
By submission7
By decision4
By disqualification1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Bruno Arruda da Silva (born July 13, 1989) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is a former M-1 Global Middleweight Champion.

Contents

Background

Silva started training in 2009 and after three months, he had his first fight. At first, it was out of curiosity because in the interior of Paraíba there was not much of a fighting culture, but after three months of training, Silva lost his father and fighting was a therapy. [4]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Upon turning pro in 2010 up until 2012, Silva went just 6-5 in 11 contests. Silva racked up a record of 9–5 in Brazilian regional circuit before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 in 2013. “Blindado” then rattled off 14 wins in his last 16 outings. Silva lived in the northeast of Brazil, in a very small city that had no MMA structure, having to work in other professions. Silva credited his turn around to dedicating himself to his athletic career after 2012. [5]

The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil

He passed the tryouts, advancing to the preliminary round where he however was knockout out by Vitor Miranda, and was eliminated from the season. [6]

Russian circuit

After TUF tryouts Silva amassed seven more wins with one loss, and signed with Russian Cagefighting Championship. He made his promotional debut against Gennadiy Kovalev at RCC 2 on February 24, 2018. He won the fight via first-round knockout.

He then signed with M-1 Global and made his promotional debut against Alexander Shlemenko at M-1 Challenge 93 – Shlemenko vs. Silva on June 1, 2018. He won the fight via first round knockout. [7]

The win lined him up for a fight against Artem Frolov for the M-1 Global Middleweight Championship which took place at M-1 Challenge 98 - Frolov vs. Silva on November 2, 2018. [8] He claimed the championship via fourth-round technical knockout. [9]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

In May 2019, it was announced that Silva had signed with the UFC. He was scheduled to replace injured Markus Perez against Deron Winn on June 22, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 154. [10] On June 16, it was reported that Silva was forced to pull out of the contest due to a potential anti-doping violation by USADA and was replaced by returning veteran Eric Spicely. [11] In January 2020, news surfaced that Silva was suspended for two years for testing positive for boldenone, but at the time USADA did not confirm the news due to pending hearing. [12] Ultimately in late June 2020, USADA announced the suspension, stating Silva would be eligible to return to competition after June 14, 2021. [13]

Ultimately, Silva made his promotional debut against Wellington Turman at UFC on ESPN 25 on June 19, 2021. [14] Silva won the fight via first-round knockout. [15]

In the sophomore appearance Silva faced Andrew Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 195 on October 16, 2021. [16] He won the fight via technical knockout in round three. [17] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award. [18]

Silva next faced Jordan Wright at UFC 269 on December 11, 2021. [19] He won the fight via TKO in the first round. [20] The win also earned Silva his second consecutive Performance of the Night bonus award. [21]

Silva faced Alex Pereira on March 12, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 203. [22] Silva got outstruck for all three rounds and lost the fight via unanimous decision. [23]

Silva faced Gerald Meerschaert on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 41 [24] He lost the fight via a guillotine choke in round three. [25]

Silva was scheduled to face Albert Duraev on December 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 216. [26] However, he was pulled from the event due to injury and he was replaced by Michał Oleksiejczuk. [27]

Silva faced Brad Tavares on April 22, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 222. [28] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round. [29] This performance earned Silva his third Performance Of The Night award. [30]

Silva faced Brendan Allen on June 24, 2023, at UFC on ABC 5. [31] He lost the bout in the first round via a rear-naked choke submission. [32]

Silva faced Shara Magomedov on October 21, 2023, at UFC 294. [33] He lost the bout via unanimous decision. [34]

Silva faced former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. [35] He lost the fight after a third-round TKO stoppage by the referee. The fight was later overruled to a technical unanimous decision win for Weidman, as Silva was poked in both eyes while Weidman was throwing the combination that dropped Silva. Silva claimed that he fell due to the eye pokes. [36] Silva's attempt to appeal the decision loss was unsuccessful. [37]

In August 2024, it was reported that Silva tested positive for an anabolic steroid submitted from a urine sample on April 11, 2024. [38] As a result, he has been suspended for six months dating back to April 11, 2024 and will be able to compete again on October 11, 2024. [38]

Silva faced Ismail Naurdiev on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308. [39] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [40]

Silva faced Marc-André Barriault on May 10, 2025 at UFC 315. [41] At the weigh-ins, Silva weighed in at 187 pounds, a pound over the weight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Silva was fined 20 percent of his purse which went to opponent Barriault. [42] Silva lost the fight by knockout via elbows and punches in the first round. [43]

On May 15, 2025, it was reported that Silva was removed from the UFC roster. [44]

Personal life

Silva and his fiancée have a daughter. [45]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
36 matches23 wins13 losses
By knockout201
By submission07
By decision34
By disqualification01
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss23–13 Marc-André Barriault KO (elbows and punches) UFC 315 May 10, 202511:27 Montreal, Quebec, CanadaCatchweight (187 lb) bout; Silva missed weight.
Loss23–12 Ismail Naurdiev Decision (unanimous) UFC 308 October 26, 202435:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss23–11 Chris Weidman Technical Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot March 30, 202432:18 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United StatesOriginally ruled a TKO (punches) win for Weidman; changed to a decision by the athletic commission due to Silva suffering an eye poke leading to the stoppage.
Loss23–10 Sharabutdin Magomedov Decision (unanimous) UFC 294 October 21, 202335:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Loss23–9 Brendan Allen Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria June 24, 202314:39 Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Win23–8 Brad Tavares TKO (knee and punch) UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes April 22, 202313:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Loss22–8 Gerald Meerschaert Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz August 13, 202231:39 San Diego, California, United States
Loss22–7 Alex Pereira Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev March 12, 202235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win22–6 Jordan Wright TKO (punches) UFC 269 December 11, 202111:28 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win21–6 Andrew Sanchez TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont October 16, 202132:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Win20–6 Wellington Turman KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige June 19, 202114:45 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win19–6Artem FrolovTKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 98: Frolov vs. Silva November 2, 201843:36 Chelyabinsk, RussiaWon the M-1 Global Middleweight Championship.
Win18–6 Alexander Shlemenko KO (punches) M-1 Challenge 93: Shlemenko vs. Silva June 1, 201812:54 Chelyabinsk, Russia
Win17–6Gennadiy KovalevKO (knee)RCC 2February 24, 201814:10 Chelyabinsk, Russia
Win16–6Matheus MussatoTKO (punches)Katana Fight 4November 25, 201711:10 Colombo, Brazil
Loss15–6Moise RimbonSubmission (kimura)Phoenix FC 1December 10, 201624:12 Zouk Mikael, Lebanon
Win15–5Tiago VarejãoDecision (unanimous)Imortal FC 4May 21, 201635:00 São José dos Pinhais, Brazil
Win14–5Flavio MagonDecision (unanimous)Imortal FC 2December 13, 201535:00 São José dos Pinhais, Brazil
Win13–5Rodrigo CarlosKO (punches)Aspera FC 24September 12, 201511:56 São José, Brazil
Win12–5Fabio AguiarTKO (punches)Iron Fight Combat 8June 6, 201523:09 Feira de Santana, Brazil
Win11–5Alex JuniusTKO (punches)Curitiba Fight Pro 3March 7, 201514:59 Curitiba, Brazil
Win10–5José de Batista NetoTKO (punches)The Hill Fighters 3September 20, 201411:29 Bento Gonçalves, BrazilCatchweight (196 lb) bout.
Win9–5Douglas AlmeidaKO (punches)Crajubar Fight 2July 6, 201313:16 Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil
Win8–5Cássio de OliveiraKO (punches)12:39
Win7–5Janio da Silva DantasTKO (punches)Crajubar FightMarch 30, 201312:50 Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil
Win6–5Savio MontenegroTKO (punches)Xoperia Fight 2September 22, 201213:27 Crato, Brazil
Loss5–5Cássio de OliveiraSubmission (heel hook)Carpina Fighting Championship 2June 2, 201213:52 Carpina, Brazil
Loss5–4Felipe DantasSubmission (arm-triangle choke)Paradise Fighting RNMarch 10, 201211:36 Canguaretama, Brazil
Win5–3Thiago BuarqueTKO (punches)Campina Show Fight 3October 27, 201124:12 Campina Grande, Brazil
Win4–3Felipe KezenDecision (split)Camaragibe Fight ChampionshipAugust 23, 201135:00 Camaragibe, Brazil
Loss3–3Savio MontenegroDQ (illegal upkick)Ceara Fighters Championship 2July 8, 201132:39 Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil
Win3–2Eduardo MahalKO (punches)Campina Show Fight 2April 1, 201122:13 Campina Grande, Brazil
Loss2–2Isac AlmeidaSubmission (arm-triangle choke)Desafio Fighter 5February 25, 201112:51 Cajazeiras, Brazil
Win2–1Alisson MouraTKO (Punches)Desafio Fighter 4December 11, 201014:02 Ipaumirim, Brazil
Loss1–1Rodrigo CarlosSubmission (rear-naked choke)Desafio Fighter 3July 24, 201012:50 Sousa, Brazil
Win1–0Junior PitbullTKO (knee injury)Champions Night 14June 5, 201022:55 Fortaleza, BrazilMiddleweight debut.

[47]

See also

References

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