Antonio Silva Departs UFC, but a New Promotion Likely Awaits

After three consecutive knockout losses, Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva and the UFC mutually agreed to part ways Friday.

But while his UFC career is probably permanently over, his time as an active MMA fighter may be far from done.

The news of the popular heavyweight's release first came via Mike Bohn and John Morgan of MMAjunkie. However, the announcement was widely expected after the 37-year-old suffered yet another knockout in September at UFC Fight Night 95 in the second round to Roy Nelson.

Not only was it his third straight KO loss, but it was his fifth loss in six contests dating back to 2014. All five of those defeats came by knockout. 

Given these facts, it is fairly clear that Silva (19-10 [1]) has lost his chin after a host of wars with hard-hitting fighters such as Mark Hunt, Alistair Overeem, Cain Velasquez and others.

Nevertheless, Silva remains a relatively big name in his native Brazil and beyond. He has indicated that he is not quite ready to retire yet, no matter what his recent record might suggest to an impartial observer.

He recently announced a relocation to American Top Team, Florida's well-regarded MMA camp:

Furthermore, Silva's manager, Alex Davis, essentially confirmed his client's career will continue in a separate MMAjunkie report from Steven Marrocco.

“I think ‘Bigfoot’ will probably be out of the UFC and probably go to Rizin or Russia,” Davis said.

Rizin refers to Rizin Fighting Federation, the new Japan-based promotion operated by former Pride impresario Nobuyuki Sakakibara. Despite holding just a few events to date, Rizin has demonstrated an appetite for "legends" fights, particularly in the heavyweight division and despite medical evidence that might indicate a heightened safety risk.

Among those who have competed under the Rizin banner since its inception in 2015 are 40-year-old heavyweight GOAT Fedor Emelianenko, then-45-year-old Kazuyuki Fujita and then-46-year-old Kazushi Sakuraba.

Eraldo Peres/Associated Press

Silva has been suggested as a potential opponent for Emelianenko, who previously lost to Bigfoot in 2011 and has a long history of novelty fights, particularly in front of the Japanese audience, which has a keen appetite for such things.

It's unclear which Russian promotion might host Silva, but several might be candidates for his services, including M-1 Global and Absolute Championship Berkut. 

Fans probably also cannot rule out Bellator and World Series of Fighting closer to home, as well as ONE Championship in Asia, but based in part on Davis' comments and speculation he could get a big fight with Emelianenko, Rizin may have the inside track to land the big man's services.