Bruno Silva

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. He claimed the championship via fourth-round technical knockout.

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. 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. 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. Ultimately in late June 2020, USADA announced the suspension, stating Silva would be eligible to return to competition after June 14, 2021.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Silva faced former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. 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. Silva's attempt to appeal the decision loss was unsuccessful.

In August 2024, it was reported that Silva tested positive for an anabolic steroid submitted from a urine sample on April 11, 2024. 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. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Silva faced Marc-André Barriault on May 10, 2025 at UFC 315. 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. Silva lost the fight by knockout via elbows and punches in the first round.

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

Personal life Silva and his fiancée have a daughter.

Championships and accomplishments M-1 Global M-1 Global Middleweight Championship (One time; former) Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Three Times)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Marc-André Barriault KO (elbows and punches) UFC 315

Montreal, Quebec, Canada Loss

Ismail Naurdiev Decision (unanimous) UFC 308

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Chris Weidman Technical Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Blanchfield vs. Fiorot

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Sharabutdin Magomedov Decision (unanimous) UFC 294

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Loss

Brendan Allen Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ABC: Emmett vs. Topuria

Jacksonville, Florida, United States Win

Brad Tavares TKO (knee and punch) UFC Fight Night: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Gerald Meerschaert Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz

San Diego, California, United States Loss

Alex Pereira Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Jordan Wright TKO (punches) UFC 269

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Andrew Sanchez TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Wellington Turman KO (punches) UFC on ESPN: The Korean Zombie vs. Ige

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Artem Frolov TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 98: Frolov vs. Silva

Chelyabinsk, Russia Win

Alexander Shlemenko KO (punches) M-1 Challenge 93: Shlemenko vs. Silva

Chelyabinsk, Russia Win

Gennadiy Kovalev KO (knee) RCC 2

Chelyabinsk, Russia Win

Matheus Mussato TKO (punches) Katana Fight 4

Colombo, Brazil Loss

Moise Rimbon Submission (kimura) Phoenix FC 1

Zouk Mikael, Lebanon Win

Tiago Varejão Decision (unanimous) Imortal FC 4

São José dos Pinhais, Brazil Win

Flavio Magon Decision (unanimous) Imortal FC 2

São José dos Pinhais, Brazil Win

Rodrigo Carlos KO (punches) Aspera FC 24

São José, Brazil Win

Fabio Aguiar TKO (punches) Iron Fight Combat 8

Feira de Santana, Brazil Win

Alex Junius TKO (punches) Curitiba Fight Pro 3

Curitiba, Brazil Win

José de Batista Neto TKO (punches) The Hill Fighters 3

Bento Gonçalves, Brazil Win

Douglas Almeida KO (punches)

Win

Cássio de Oliveira KO (punches)

Win

Janio da Silva Dantas TKO (punches) Crajubar Fight

Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil Win

Savio Montenegro TKO (punches) Xoperia Fight 2

Crato, Brazil Loss

Cássio de Oliveira Submission (heel hook) Carpina Fighting Championship 2

Carpina, Brazil Loss

Felipe Dantas Submission (arm-triangle choke) Paradise Fighting RN

Canguaretama, Brazil Win

Thiago Buarque TKO (punches) Campina Show Fight 3

Campina Grande, Brazil Win

Felipe Kezen Decision (split) Camaragibe Fight Championship

Camaragibe, Brazil Loss

Savio Montenegro DQ (illegal upkick) Ceara Fighters Championship 2

Juazeiro do Norte, Brazil Win

Eduardo Mahal KO (punches) Campina Show Fight 2

Campina Grande, Brazil Loss

Isac Almeida Submission (arm-triangle choke) Desafio Fighter 5

Cajazeiras, Brazil Win

Alisson Moura TKO (Punches) Desafio Fighter 4

Ipaumirim, Brazil Loss

Rodrigo Carlos Submission (rear-naked choke) Desafio Fighter 3

Sousa, Brazil Win

Junior Pitbull TKO (knee injury) Champions Night 14

Fortaleza, Brazil