UFC Legend Anderson Silva to Be Inducted into 2023 Hall of Fame Class

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

Undoubtedly one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, Anderson Silva will receive an honor worthy of his legendary resume this summer.

During UFC 286 on Saturday, Silva was announced as the latest member of the 2023 class for the UFC Hall of Fame. He will be officially inducted into the pioneer wing during International Fight Week in July.

Silva, who retired from the UFC in November 2020 and currently competes in boxing, was a dazzling fighter during his prime who captivated the fighting world with his highlight-reel knockouts. He carried a certain mystique that often threw opponents off their game before they even faced him.

A professional fighter since 1997, Silva joined the UFC in 2006 and embarked on one of the greatest runs in the history of the company. He won the UFC middleweight championship in his second fight and successfully defended the title 10 times. His 16-fight win streak from 2006 to 2013 still stands as the longest in UFC history, and his nearly seven-year title reign is also a company record at 2,457 days.

Silva has wins over a long list of MMA legends, including Rich Franklin, Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort. His biggest rival was Chael Sonnen, and he defeated him twice. He also competed at light heavyweight here and there, defeating Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar and James Irvin.

The end of Silva's career wasn't as kind to him. After losing his middleweight title to Chris Weidman in 2013, Silva would go on to win just one more fight before his retirement seven years later. He finished his career with a 34-11 record with one no-contest (17-7, 1 NC in UFC).

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The UFC Hall of Fame class of 2023 also includes former lightweight champion Jens Pulver and former featherweight champion Jose Aldo.