Jay Silva

Jay Silva (May 25, 1981 – May 31, 2026) was an Angolan-born American mixed martial artist, competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional competitor since 2008, Silva has also formerly competed for the UFC, Bellator, the MFC, KSW, and Tachi Palace Fights.

Mixed martial arts career Early career Raised on the East Coast, Silva's interest in mixed martial arts developed after seeing the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, and he subsequently trained under Renzo Gracie in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, having obtained the level of purple belt, and began a professional career in mixed martial arts. Silva was released from the UFC along with Kyle Bradley after his loss at UFC Fight Night 20.

Bellator Silva stepped in for Paulo Filho, who was set to fight the Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard in a Super Fight at Bellator 18. Silva was defeated via Knockout in just six seconds of the first round.

On May 14, 2011, Silva defeated Gemiyale Adkins at Bellator 44 via unanimous decision.

Independent promotions Silva scored a first round KO over MMA veteran Jaime Jara at Tachi Palace Fights 7, ending the bout in 33 seconds.

On November 4, 2011, Silva lost a five round unanimous decision to Bristol Marunde in a bout for the Superior Cage Combat Middleweight Championship.

Silva next faced fellow UFC veteran Kendall Grove on February 16 in Las Vegas, Nevada, under the Superior Cage Combat organization. He won the fight via technical submission due to an arm triangle choke in the second round. Silva during the fight with Michał Materla at the event KSW 19 He then fought on May 12, 2012, against Michał Materla at KSW 19 for the vacant Middleweight Championship. Silva lost the fight via majority decision.

He faced Michał Materla on September 28, 2013, at KSW 24 in a non-title rematch from KSW 19. Silva won via knockout due to punches in the second round.

Maximum Fighting Championship On November 30, 2012, it was announced that Silva signed a multi-fight contract with Maximum Fighting Championship he was set to debut at MFC 36 “Reality Check” against Jacen Flynn on February 15, 2013, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. On February 11, 2013, MFC Announced Wes Swofford as Flynn's Replacement. Silva was defeated by Swofford via TKO due to an elbow and punches in 41 seconds of round one.

Silva faced Ultimate Fighter alumni Sam Alvey on May 10, 2013, at MFC 37 “True Grit”. Silva was defeated by Alvey via TKO due to punches in round three.

Other promotions Silva faced Oscar Cota in a heavyweight bout at Golden Boy Promotions inaugural MMA event on November 24, 2018. He won the fight via technical submission in the third round.

Death On June 1, 2026, Fame MMA, the federation Silva last competed for, announced that Silva had died on May 31 of unknown causes, at the age of 45.

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Denis Labryga Decision (unanimous) Fame 25

Częstochowa, Poland Win

Oscar Cota Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) Golden Boy Promotions: Liddell vs. Ortiz 3

Inglewood, California, United States Win

Zsolta Balla Decision (unanimous) Serbian Battle Championship 17

Odzaci, Serbia Loss

Mariusz Pudzianowski Decision (majority) KSW 40

Dublin, Ireland Loss

Tim Williams Decision (unanimous) Cage Fury FC 63

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Guram Mestvirishvili Decision (unanimous) Ring of Combat 54

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Aziz Karaoglu TKO (punches) KSW 31

Gdańsk, Poland Draw

Piotr Strus Draw (unanimous) KSW 29

Kraków, Poland Loss

Michał Materla Decision (unanimous) KSW 26

Warsaw, Poland Win

Michał Materla KO (punches) KSW 24

Łódź, Poland Loss

Sam Alvey TKO (punches) Maximum FC 37

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Loss

Wes Swofford TKO (elbow and punches) Maximum FC 36

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Loss

Michał Materla Decision (majority) KSW 19

Łódź, Poland Win

Kendall Grove Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) Superior Cage Combat 4

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Bristol Marunde Decision (unanimous) Superior Cage Combat 3

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gemiyale Adkins Decision (unanimous) Bellator 44

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win

Jaime Jara KO (punches) Tachi Palace Fights 7

Lemoore, California, United States Loss

Hector Lombard KO (punch) Bellator 18

Monroe, Louisiana, United States Loss

Chris Leben Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz

Fairfax, Virginia, United States Loss

C. B. Dollaway Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States Win

Ray Lizama KO (punches) Call to Arms 2

Ontario, California, United States Win

Reggie Orr KO (flying knee) Call to Arms 1

Ontario, California, United States Win

Mike Johnson TKO (punches) Extreme Challenge: Mayhem at the Marina

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Loss

Plinio Cruz Decision (split) Karriem Abdallah Productions: The Return of Macaco

Newark, New Jersey, United States Win

Ozzy Avalos KO (knee) Spar Star Promotions: Battle of the Rising Stars

Montebello, California, United States Win

Mark DaPolito Submission (rear-naked choke) Ring of Combat 20

Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Kickboxing record