Rivalries: Bruno Silva

Bruno Silva made a thunderous arrival on the Ultimate Fighting Championship stage, clinching three consecutive knockout victories and promptly solidifying his stature as a prominent middleweight contender. Despite the rocky terrains he traversed in his next fights, his resolve remains unshaken, as he takes the losses as pivotal learning experiences, irrespective of the outcome. The 34-year-old veteran of 33 fights is scheduled to take on former middleweight champion Chris Weidman at UFC on ESPN 54 this Saturday in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Before their clash at Boardwalk Hall, a look at a few of the rivalries that have shaped Silva’s mixed martial arts career to this point:

Alexander Shlemenko

Going up against a far more experienced competitor could often serve as an unnerving experience for a fighter. Such was the case when Silva encountered Shlemenko, a grizzled Russian mixed martial arts veteran with over 78 fights to his name who had clashed with elite adversaries across premier MMA organizations worldwide. Extending due respect to Shlemenko’s credentials was warranted, yet it did not detract from the Brazilian’s imperative to fulfill his obligations with unwavering focus and resolve. His forward pressure pinned Shlemenko in a corner, allowing him to unleash a barrage of strikes to the body and head, forcing the referee to call a stop to the contest at 2:54 of the first round.

Wellington Turman

Silva made an electrifying return after nearly a three-year-long hiatus at UFC on ESPN 25, taking on Turman on June 19, 2021. As the fight progressed, Turman got on the inside and attempted multiple takedowns and throws to take Silva to the ground. While attempting to do so, he jumped on “Blindado’s” back to lock in an early submission win. However, the Brazilian managed to shrug Turman off and establish top control. Now in top control, Silva unleashed folding thudding shots that put Turman out like a light. This was also Silva’s UFC debut, which amplified the significance of the event, exhibiting virtually no signs of ring rust despite the extended period away from competition.

Jordan Wright

In the quest to further solidify his status as a formidable force in the UFC middleweight division, Silva locked horns with Wright at UFC 269. What transpired was a blistering display of power and precision by “Blindado,” as he unleashed his lethal striking prowess to secure a first-round technical knockout victory. From the opening bell, Wright launched a relentless offensive onslaught seeking to impose his will on Silva. The Brazilian weathered the early storm and utilized his impeccable striking skills to turn the tide in his favor. Entangled in the clinch against the fence, Silva unleashed punishing shots from top, landing a hook that landed flush and staggered the American. He swarmed with a relentless onslaught of heavy punches with pinpoint accuracy, ending the contest at the 1:28 mark of the opening round. The victory was part of a seven-fight KO/TKO streak, his best in the recent past.

Alex Pereira

While officially recorded as a loss on his resume, Silva managed to push the future UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion to three hard-fought rounds. Pereira navigated through Silva’s formidable striking and grappling attempts and exhibited his overwhelming power and calculated striking on his way to a unanimous decision victory. While Silva found success early by taking down Pereira, “Poatan” countered with straight punches and hooks behind it as soon as they got back on their feet. Undeterred, Silva launched attacks of his own and even managed to threaten with frequent grappling attempts to keep Pereira guessing. With 30 seconds left on the clock, Pereira unleashed a devastating uppercut that appeared to shatter Silva’s nose, leaving his opponent staggering on wobbly legs. The last-second display of power undoubtedly influenced the judges’ scorecards, yet it remains a contested decision to this day. Former light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill, who is scheduled to challenge Pereira for the 205-pound strap at UFC 300 recently made the bold assertion that Silva beat Pereira and that he cannot be convinced otherwise.