Wanderlei Silva, former PRIDE FC middleweight champion, will be inducted into the 2024 Class of the UFC Hall of Fame as a Pioneer. Silva’s savage fighting style and memorable battles have left a lasting impact on combat sports history. Read more about his incredible journey and achievements.
| Wanderlei Silva, former PRIDE FC middleweight champion, will be inducted into the 2024 Class of the UFC Hall of Fame as a Pioneer.
| Silva’s contributions to the sport of MMA and his unforgettable fights have left a lasting impact on combat sports history.
| His impressive career includes victories over UFC Hall of Famers Kazushi Sakuraba, Michael Bisping, and Dan Henderson.
| Silva’s reign as the PRIDE FC middleweight champion lasted for 1,939 days, the longest in the promotion’s history.
| He holds records for the most knockouts and knockdowns in Zuffa history (PRIDE / UFC / WEC / Strikeforce), as well as the most wins, knockouts, knockdowns, and significant strikes in PRIDE history.
Wanderlei Silva to Join the Ranks of UFC Hall of Fame
Las Vegas – UFC® has announced that Wanderlei Silva, former PRIDE FC middleweight champion, will be inducted into the 2024 Class of the UFC Hall of Fame as a Pioneer. This prestigious honor recognizes Silva’s contributions to the sport of MMA and his unforgettable fights that have left a lasting impact on combat sports history.
The induction ceremony will take place this summer in Las Vegas and will be streamed live exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®.
Silva, known for his savage fighting style, has had legendary battles against some of the biggest names in the sport, including Mirko Cro Cop, Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, Brian Stann, and Rich Franklin. His fights were absolute wars that showcased his skill, tenacity, and determination.
As one of the early superstars of PRIDE, Silva played a pivotal role in growing the MMA fanbase on a global scale. His contributions to the sport will be celebrated as he joins the ranks of the UFC Hall of Fame.
Silva’s impressive career includes victories over UFC Hall of Famers Kazushi Sakuraba, Michael Bisping, and Dan Henderson. He has also defeated notable fighters such as Guy Mezger, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Yuki Kondo, Eugene Jackson, and Brian Stann.
During his 22-year professional MMA career, Silva competed in 51 fights, amassing a record of 35-14-1 Draw / 1 NC (27-11-1-1, – UFC / PRIDE). His achievements include becoming the PRIDE FC middleweight champion and winning the 2003 PRIDE FC Middleweight Grand Prix.
Silva’s journey in MMA began in 1996 when he made his professional debut in Brazilian Vale Tudo 6. He quickly made a name for himself with a knockout victory in the first round. Silva then went on to compete in Vale Tudo and eventually made his UFC debut in 1998.
After a brief hiatus from the UFC, Silva found success in PRIDE FC, where he won three consecutive fights before returning to the Octagon for a title shot against Tito Ortiz. Although Silva fell short in capturing the UFC light heavyweight title, he continued to compete in PRIDE FC for the next seven years.
Silva’s reign as the PRIDE FC middleweight champion lasted for 1,939 days, the longest in the promotion’s history. He defended his title four times and also won the 2003 PRIDE FC Middleweight Grand Prix, solidifying his status as one of the greatest fighters in the organization.
In 2007, Silva returned to the UFC and engaged in thrilling battles with top contenders in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. He concluded his UFC career with a memorable knockout victory over Brian Stann in 2013.
Throughout his career, Silva has achieved numerous accolades, including holding records for the most knockouts and knockdowns in Zuffa history (PRIDE / UFC / WEC / Strikeforce), as well as the most wins, knockouts, knockdowns, and significant strikes in PRIDE history.
Outside the Octagon, Silva has been recognized with awards such as Knockout of the Decade by Sports Illustrated and Fight of the Year and Knockout of the Year at the Fighters Only World MMA Awards.
Wanderlei Silva’s induction into the UFC Hall of Fame is a testament to his remarkable career and his impact on the sport of MMA. His legacy will forever be remembered as he takes his rightful place among the legends of the sport.
For more information about Wanderlei Silva’s UFC journey, visit here.
To explore the complete list of UFC athletes and fights enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame, as well as details about the UFC Hall of Fame format, please visit UFCHOF.
For additional updates and news, please visit UFC.com.
