Overview
Anderson Silva's middleweight championship run from 2006 to 2013 stands as the most statistically dominant title reign in UFC history. The Brazilian from Curitiba brought a combination of reflexes, timing, and striking precision that made opponents look like they were fighting in slow motion. The highlight reel -- the Forrest Griffin knockout, the Vitor Belfort submission, the Chael Sonnen fights -- is extraordinary. For six years, every challenger found a different way to look helpless.
Career Highlights
- UFC Middleweight Champion for 2,457 days (the longest in division history)
- 16 consecutive UFC victories
- 10 consecutive middleweight title defenses
- Named UFC Fighter of the Year multiple times
Signature Moves
- 01The Matrix dodge
- 02Front kick to the face
- 03Left hook from southpaw stance change
- 04Triangle choke from the bottom
- 05Spinning back kick
Biggest Wins
WIN #1
Chael Sonnen — Sub R5, UFC 117 / TKO R2, UFC 148
WIN #2
Vitor Belfort — Sub R1, UFC 126
WIN #3
Forrest Griffin — KO R1, UFC 101
WIN #4
Dan Henderson — KO R2, UFC 82
THE DAD TAKE
Silva in his prime was MMA as a performing art. The matrix dodge, the perfect timing -- your kids might not believe some of it is real until you show them. This is the one to watch when you want to explain what elite really means.
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