Career Timeline of Wanderlei Silva: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Wanderlei Silva, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Wanderlei Silva is a retired Brazilian mixed martial artist renowned for his accomplishments in Pride Fighting Championships and the UFC. A former Pride Middleweight Champion and 2003 Grand Prix Tournament winner, he holds Pride records for most wins, knockouts, title defenses, and longest win streak. He later competed in Bellator MMA. Silva's aggressive fighting style and success have cemented his legacy, leading to his 2024 induction into the UFC Hall of Fame's pioneer wing.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

November 1996: First Professional Match in BVF

On November 1, 1996, Wanderlei Silva had his first professional match in the Brazilian Vale Tudo Fighting (BVF) organization. He knocked out Dilson Filho via right elbow at BVF 6.

July 1997: Second match in BVF against Marcelo Barbosa

On July 1, 1997, Silva fought Marcelo Barbosa at BVF 10, who submitted due to a shoulder injury.

September 1997: Loss to Artur Mariano in IVC 2

On September 15, 1997, Wanderlei Silva faced Artur Mariano in IVC 2, losing due to a cut stoppage despite dominating the match.

October 1998: UFC Debut

In October 1998, Wanderlei Silva debuted in the UFC at UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil, facing Vitor Belfort. He lost the match in 44 seconds.

April 1999: Won Cruiserweight belt in IVC 10

In April 1999, Wanderlei Silva won the IVC Cruiserweight belt with a submission win over Eugene Jackson in the IVC 10 show, earning the nickname "The Axe Murderer".

May 1999: Victory at UFC 20

In May 1999, at UFC 20, Wanderlei Silva knocked out Tony Petarra with knees.

September 1999: PRIDE Debut

On September 12, 1999, Wanderlei Silva debuted in PRIDE at the Pride 7 event against Carl Ognibene, securing a decision victory and setting the tone for his PRIDE career.

1999: IVC matches from 1997 to 1999

From 1997 to 1999, Wanderlei Silva participated in six matches across four International Vale Tudo Championship (IVC) events: IVC 2, IVC 6, IVC 9, and IVC 10. He secured five wins by KO/TKO and experienced one loss, which resulted from a cut stoppage against Artur Mariano at the IVC 2 show.

April 2000: Loss at UFC 25

In April 2000, Wanderlei Silva fought for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 25, but lost to Tito Ortiz via unanimous decision.

August 2000: Knockout win at Meca 2

In August 2000, Silva participated in Meca World Vale Tudo event Meca 2, where he knocked out Todd Medina with Muay Thai knees.

March 2001: First Fight vs. Kazushi Sakuraba

On March 25, 2001, at Pride 13 - Collision Course, Wanderlei Silva fought Kazushi Sakuraba for the first time and won via TKO (knees and soccer kick) at 1:38 into the first round.

November 2001: Won Pride Middleweight Championship

On November 3, 2001, at Pride 17: Championship Chaos, Wanderlei Silva won the inaugural Pride middleweight (205 lb) championship by defeating Kazushi Sakuraba via TKO due to a doctor's stoppage after the first round.

August 2003: Third Fight vs. Kazushi Sakuraba

On August 10, 2003, at Pride Total Elimination 2003, Wanderlei Silva fought Kazushi Sakuraba for the third time, knocking him out with a two-punch combination at 5:01 into the first round.

November 2003: Won Pride Final Conflict 2003

On November 9, 2003, at Pride Final Conflict 2003, Wanderlei Silva defeated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson by TKO after delivering seventeen consecutive knees, becoming Pride's 2003 tournament champion.

2003: Pride Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion

In 2003, Wanderlei Silva was the 2003 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix Tournament Champion.

October 2004: Defended Pride Middleweight Championship

On October 31, 2004, at Pride 28: High Octane, Wanderlei Silva defended the Pride middleweight championship by knocking out Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in the second round.

December 2004: Loss to Mark Hunt

On December 31, 2004, at the Pride Shockwave 2004 event, Wanderlei Silva's five-year undefeated streak in PRIDE was broken by Mark Hunt via split decision in a non-title match. Silva still earned Fighter of the Year honors from Sherdog and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

2004: Unbeaten Streak in PRIDE

From 1999 to 2004, Wanderlei Silva achieved an eighteen-fight win streak in PRIDE, along with a draw and a no contest, establishing his reputation as a formidable MMA fighter in the middleweight division.

August 2005: Loss to Ricardo Arona

On August 28, 2005, at Pride Final Conflict 2005, Wanderlei Silva lost to Ricardo Arona by unanimous decision in the tournament's semi-finals. Although it was Silva's first defeat in a middleweight match in Pride, he remained the middleweight champion because it wasn't a title fight.

December 2005: Fight at Pride Shockwave 2005

On December 31, 2005, at Pride Shockwave 2005, Wanderlei Silva fought Ricardo Arona and won by split decision, despite being knocked unconscious in the locker room before the fight.

May 2006: Replaced Fedor Emelianenko in Open Weight Grand Prix

On May 18, 2006, Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE) announced that Wanderlei Silva would replace Fedor Emelianenko in the Open Weight Grand Prix.

July 2006: Advanced to Semi-Finals of Open Weight Grand Prix

On July 1, 2006, at Pride Critical Countdown Absolute, Wanderlei Silva moved to the semi-finals of the Open Weight Grand Prix after defeating Kazuyuki Fujita by TKO (punches and soccer kicks).

July 2006: Potential Fight Against Chuck Liddell

On July 8, 2006, at UFC 61: Bitter Rivals, Dana White announced Silva would face Chuck Liddell in a UFC event in November, if Liddell beat Renato Sobral at UFC 62, but the fight did not happen.

September 2006: Knocked Out by Mirko Cro Cop

On September 10, 2006, at Pride Final Conflict Absolute, Wanderlei Silva was knocked out by Mirko Cro Cop in their rematch during the Heavyweight Grand Prix semi-finals.

October 2006: Challenge to Chuck Liddell

On October 21, 2006, at Pride 32: The Real Deal, Wanderlei Silva challenged Chuck Liddell to a fight, but Dana White stated that it would not happen.

February 2007: Lost Pride Middleweight Title to Dan Henderson

On February 24, 2007, at Pride 33: The Second Coming, Wanderlei Silva lost his Pride middleweight title to Dan Henderson via knockout in the third round.

August 2007: Signed with UFC

On August 17, 2007, the UFC announced that they had signed Wanderlei Silva to compete in the organization and that he would return to the Octagon on December 29, 2007 at UFC 79.

December 2007: Lost to Chuck Liddell at UFC 79

On December 29, 2007, at UFC 79, Wanderlei Silva lost to Chuck Liddell by unanimous decision in a long-awaited match that earned them the Fight of the Night award.

May 2008: KO Win Against Keith Jardine at UFC 84

On May 24, 2008, at UFC 84 in Las Vegas, Wanderlei Silva secured a decisive KO win against Keith Jardine in 36 seconds of the first round, earning a $75,000 Knockout of the Night bonus.

July 2009: Dan Henderson knocks out Michael Bisping at UFC 100

On July 11, 2009, Dan Henderson knocked out Michael Bisping at UFC 100. This event was mentioned because it was speculated that Bisping was apprehensive to fight toe-to-toe with Silva as a result.

2009: Founding of Wand Fight Team

In 2009, Wanderlei Silva founded Wand Fight Team, a mixed martial arts training organization, in Las Vegas, with a former franchise in Pensacola, Florida.

February 2010: Middleweight Debut at UFC 110

In February 2010, Wanderlei Silva made his middleweight debut (185 lb) at UFC 110 against Michael Bisping. Silva won the fight by unanimous decision after three rounds, marking his first victory in almost two years.

April 2011: UFC Announces Silva vs. Leben Fight

On April 4, 2011, the UFC announced that Wanderlei Silva's next fight would be against Chris Leben at UFC 132, scheduled for July 2, 2011.

July 2011: Loss to Chris Leben at UFC 132

On July 2, 2011, Wanderlei Silva fought Chris Leben at UFC 132, losing by KO in the first round. Dana White commented on Silva's possible retirement after the fight.

2011: Delayed Return to Octagon

Due to knee surgery in July 2010, Wanderlei Silva's return to fighting in the octagon was delayed until early 2011.

June 2012: Belfort Withdraws from Rematch

In June 2012, Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort coached The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. Their rematch, scheduled for June 23, 2012, at UFC 147, was canceled due to Belfort's broken hand.

March 2013: Victory over Brian Stann at UFC on Fuel TV 8

On March 3, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 8, Wanderlei Silva defeated Brian Stann via KO in the second round, earning Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Night honors, totaling $100,000 in bonuses.

October 2013: Coaching The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3

In October 2013, it was announced that Wanderlei Silva would coach The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 against Chael Sonnen.

May 2014: Suspension Reduced Retroactively

In March 2016, it was announced that Wanderlei Silva's previous lifetime ban was reduced to a three-year suspension retroactive to May 24, 2014.

June 2014: Chael Sonnen Fails Drug Test

On June 10, 2014, it was reported that Chael Sonnen failed a drug test, resulting in his removal from the UFC 175 card and subsequent retirement the following day.

July 2014: Pulled from UFC 175

In July 2014, Wanderlei Silva was pulled from his scheduled fight at UFC 175 due to a hand and back injury sustained during a brawl with Chael Sonnen and his refusal to undergo a random drug test.

September 2014: Lifetime Ban and Fine

On September 23, 2014, Wanderlei Silva received a lifetime ban and a $70,000 fine from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for refusing to submit to drug tests.

May 2015: Lifetime Ban Overturned

In May 2015, Judge Kerry Earley overturned the lifetime ban imposed on Wanderlei Silva by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

January 2016: Release from UFC Contract

In January 2016, Wanderlei Silva was released from his UFC contract after apologizing for his "fight-fixed" statement and retracting it, allowing him to pursue other career opportunities.

March 2016: Signs with Bellator MMA

In early March 2016, Bellator MMA announced that Wanderlei Silva had signed a multi-fight contract with the organization.

April 2016: Grappling Match at Rizin Fighting Federation

On April 17, 2016, Wanderlei Silva competed in a tag team grappling match with Kiyoshi Tamura against Kazushi Sakuraba and Hideo Tokoro at a Rizin Fighting Federation event, which was deemed a draw.

July 2016: Return to MMA in Japan with Rizin

In July 2016, it was announced that Wanderlei Silva would return to mixed martial arts competition in Japan as part of Rizin's 16-man openweight tournament, beginning September 25, 2016, in Tokyo.

September 2016: Silva to participate in Rizin Openweight Tournament

In September 2016, Wanderlei Silva was scheduled to participate in Rizin's 16-man openweight tournament. However, he later withdrew from his fight against Mirko Cro Cop on December 2 due to injury.

May 2017: Eligible for Reinstatement

In March 2016, it was announced that Wanderlei Silva would be eligible for reinstatement beginning May 25, 2017, as his three-year suspension was retroactive to May 24, 2014.

June 2017: Bellator Debut against Chael Sonnen

After four years away from the sport, Wanderlei Silva made his delayed Bellator debut against Chael Sonnen in the main event at Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017. He lost via unanimous decision.

June 2018: Fourth Match Against Rampage Jackson Announced

On June 25, 2018, Bellator MMA announced that Wanderlei Silva would face Rampage Jackson in a fourth match on September 29, 2018, at Bellator 206.

September 2018: Loss to Rampage Jackson

On September 29, 2018, Wanderlei Silva lost to Rampage Jackson via technical knockout in round two at Bellator 206.

September 2019: Bellator Contract Expires

On September 29, 2019, news surfaced that Wanderlei Silva's contract with Bellator had expired.

September 1, 2022: Retirement from MMA

On September 1, 2022, Wanderlei Silva officially announced his retirement from MMA, expressing interest in boxing and calling out Dan Henderson.

December 11, 2024: Eligible for Global Fight League Draft

On December 11, 2024, it was announced that Wanderlei Silva was eligible to be drafted in the Global Fight League (GFL).

2025: Manager for Los Angeles GFL Team

In 2025, despite not being drafted, Wanderlei Silva was scheduled to be the manager for the Los Angeles GFL team; however, all GFL events were postponed indefinitely.