Wanderlei Silva, the iconic PRIDE FC middleweight champion, is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Wing for the Class of 2024. Learn more about his illustrious career and contributions to the MMA sport.
| Wanderlei Silva Inducted into UFC Hall of Fame |
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| Wanderlei Silva, the iconic PRIDE FC middleweight champion, is set to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Wing for the Class of 2024. This prestigious ceremony is set to take place in Las Vegas this summer and will be available for live streaming exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS. Silva’s journey in MMA began in 1996, making a striking debut with a knockout win at Brazilian Vale Tudo 6. Throughout his illustrious 22-year career, Silva competed in 51 professional fights, achieving a commendable record of 35 wins, including victories over several UFC Hall of Famers and champions across various promotions. His legacy includes being the longest-reigning middleweight champion in PRIDE FC history and the first athlete to win both a PRIDE Championship and Grand Prix. Silva’s martial arts training began at the Chute Boxe Academy, where he honed his skills in Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Today, he continues to inspire fighters worldwide, leaving a legacy that transcends the confines of the Octagon. |
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced the induction of Wanderlei Silva, the iconic PRIDE FC middleweight champion, into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Pioneer Wing for the Class of 2024. This prestigious ceremony is set to take place in Las Vegas this summer and will be available for live streaming exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS.
Silva, revered for his ferocious fighting style and significant contributions to the mixed martial arts (MMA) sport, will join the ranks of the Hall of Fame as its 19th Pioneer Era inductee. This category honors fighters who began their professional careers before the unified rules of MMA were established on November 17, 2000, who are at least 35 years old, or who have been retired for a year or more.
Throughout his illustrious 22-year career, Silva competed in 51 professional fights, achieving a commendable record of 35 wins, including victories over several UFC Hall of Famers and champions across various promotions. Known for his knockouts and unforgettable battles, Silva’s legacy includes being the longest-reigning middleweight champion in PRIDE FC history and the first athlete to win both a PRIDE Championship and Grand Prix.
Silva’s journey in MMA began in 1996, making a striking debut with a knockout win at Brazilian Vale Tudo 6. Despite a challenging UFC debut against Vitor Belfort in 1998, Silva’s resilience and skill led him to remarkable victories in both the UFC and PRIDE FC, where he became a global MMA superstar.
Beyond his fighting career, Silva has been recognized with numerous awards, including Knockout of the Decade and Fight of the Year, highlighting his impact on the sport. His story has also been immortalized in the biography "Sem Coleira," published in 2020.
As a native of Curitiba, Brazil, Silva’s martial arts training began at the Chute Boxe Academy, where he honed his skills in Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Today, he continues to inspire fighters worldwide, living in Curitiba with his family and leaving a legacy that transcends the confines of the Octagon.
