Rafael Silva (fighter)
| Rafael Silva | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 20, 1985 Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil |
| Other names | Morcego |
| Nationality | Brazilian |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight |
| Reach | 65 in (165 cm) |
| Fighting out of | Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil |
| Team | Renovacao Fight Team |
| Years active | 2005-present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 28 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 10 |
| By decision | 5 |
| Losses | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Rafael Silva (born March 20, 1985) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Bantamweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2005, Silva has competed in his native Brazil for most of his career.[1]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Silva made his professional MMA debut in June 2005. After going 2-2 in his first four fights, he maintained an impressive record of 18 wins and only 1 loss from 2009 to 2012. Among his notable wins was a victory over current UFC fighter John Lineker.
A long-time veteran of the national Brazilian MMA scene, Silva fought for a variety of promotions - including World Fighting Combat, Sparta MMA, Octagon MMA, Connect Fight Night, Energy Force, and Nitrix Champion Fight - before making his North American debut.
Bellator MMA
In June 2012, it was announced that Silva had signed with Bellator MMA,[2] although he did not debut until a year later.
Silva entered as a participant in the 2013 Summer Series Bantamweight tournament. He faced Rodrigo Lima in the semifinals at Bellator 97 and won via submission in the third round. The finals were delayed until the fall of 2013 and he eventually faced Anthony Leone at Bellator 102. He won the fight via dominant unanimous decision to earn a title shot.
Silva was booked to face Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas on March 7, 2014, but due to a knee injury, Silva was replaced by Anthony Leone at Bellator 111. [3]
Silva stepped in to replace Eduardo Dantas to face Joe Warren at Bellator 118 on May 2, 2014. The fight was scheduled for the Bellator Interim Bantamweight championship. Silva, however, missed weight and the promotion made the interim title available only if Warren were to win.[4] Silva lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Silva faced Rob Emerson on October 3, 2014 at Bellator 127.[5] He won the fight by unanimous decision.
Silva faced Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.[6] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.
In June 2015, it was revealed that Silva, along with his brother Julio Cesar and 6 other fighters, were released from the promotion.[7]
Post-Bellator career
Silva returned to the Brazilian circuit and faced Derinaldo Guerra for the vacant Aspera FC Bantamweight title on September 12, 2015, winning the fight by arm-triangle choke in the first round.[8]
Championships and accomplishments
- Aspera Fighting Championship
- AFC Bantamweight Championship (One time; current)
Mixed martial arts record
| 29 matches | 24 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 1 |
| By submission | 11 | 1 |
| By decision | 5 | 3 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 24–5 | J. Vieira da Silva | Submission (armbar) | XFC i 13 | December 5, 2015 | 2 | 1:25 | Sao Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 23–5 | Derinaldo Guerra | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Aspera FC 24 | September 12, 2015 | 1 | 4:03 | Sao Jose, Santa Catarina, Brazil | Won the vacant AFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Loss | 22–5 | Darrion Caldwell | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 137 | May 15, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Win | 22–4 | Rob Emerson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 127 | October 3, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Loss | 21–4 | Joe Warren | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 118 | May 2, 2014 | 5 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 21–3 | Anthony Leone | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 102 | October 4, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Visalia, California, United States | Bellator 2013 Summer Series Bantamweight Tournament Final. |
| Win | 20–3 | Rodrigo Lima | Submission (rear naked choke) | Bellator 97 | July 31, 2013 | 3 | 2:03 | Rio Rancho, New Mexico, United States | Bellator 2013 Summer Series Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 19–3 | Fabio Selim | Submission (rear naked choke) | Sparta MMA | September 29, 2012 | 3 | 3:01 | Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 18–3 | Luciano Aranha | TKO (punches) | Connect Fight Night 2 | July 17, 2012 | 1 | 1:56 | Biguacu, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 17–3 | Mauricio da Silva | KO (head kick) | Energy Force | May 19, 2012 | 1 | 0:07 | Navegantes, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 16–3 | Saulo Silva | KO (Superman punch) | Connect Fight Night 1 | March 31, 2012 | 1 | 1:15 | Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 15–3 | Diego D'Avila | TKO (punches) | Nitrix Champion Fight 10 | February 11, 2012 | 1 | N/A | Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 14–3 | Wagner Noronha | Decision (split) | Apocalypse Fighting Championship | October 8, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Passo Fundo, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil | |
| Win | 13–3 | Fernando Giacometti | TKO (elbows) | Octagon MMA | October 1, 2011 | 1 | 1:04 | Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 12–3 | Tiago Silva | KO (punch) | Octagon MMA | October 1, 2011 | 1 | 0:52 | Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 11–3 | Jonatan Feitosa | Submission (rear naked choke) | Centurion Mixed Martial Arts 2 | July 9, 2011 | 3 | 2:42 | Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 10–3 | Ozeias Costa | Decision (unanimous) | Full Heroes Battle 4 | June 25, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Paranagua, Paraná, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–3 | Rogerio Goncalves Menna | Submission (arm triangle choke) | World Fighting Combat: Pretorian | June 11, 2011 | 1 | 2:46 | Pelotas, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil | |
| Loss | 8–3 | Diego D'Avila | Submission (armbar) | Nitrix Champion Fight 6 | February 19, 2011 | 1 | 4:33 | Brusque, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–2 | Erikson Lima | Submission (rear naked choke) | Centurion Mixed Martial Arts | January 15, 2011 | 1 | 1:38 | Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 7–2 | Fabio Nunes | Submission (kimura) | Colizeu Fight Championship | November 20, 2010 | 1 | 1:02 | Joaçaba, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–2 | Edson da Silva | Submission (triangle choke) | Black Trunk Fight 1 | August 14, 2010 | 1 | N/A | Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–2 | Joilson Costelinha | Submission (armbar) | Nitrix Champion Fight 5 | May 15, 2010 | 1 | 4:53 | Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–2 | David Bad Boy | Submission (rear naked choke) | Nitrix Show Fight 4 | February 6, 2010 | 1 | 4:40 | Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–2 | John Lineker | Decision (unanimous) | Warrior's Challenge 4 | December 30, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Porto Belo, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–2 | Wagner Mexicano | TKO (retirement) | Nitrix Show Fight 3 | November 14, 2009 | 2 | N/A | Itajaí, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Alessandro Cordeiro | TKO (punches) | Nitrix Show Fight 2 | May 16, 2009 | 2 | N/A | Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Marcio Furlin | Decision (split) | Floripa Fight 2 | April 29, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Wallid Wallid | TKO (punches) | X-treme Combat | June 5, 2005 | 1 | 2:36 | Brazil |
References
- ^ "Rafael Silva - Official Bellator Fighter Profile".
- ^ Staff (2012-06-01). "Bellator signs Brazilian bantamweight Rafael Silva". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
- ^ Bellator (2014-02-05). "With Silva Injured, Anthony Leone Steps Up To Face Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas". bellator.com. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
- ^ "Bellator 118 official weigh-in results: Silva heavy for interim title fight".
- ^ "Bellator 127 full fight card finalized for Pechanga Resort & Casino on Oct. 3 on Spike TV". mmamania.com. September 15, 2014.
- ^ Tristen Critchfield (April 15, 2015). "Darrion Caldwell-Rafael Silva Matchup Added to Bellator 137 Main Card". sherdog.com.
- ^ Steph Daniels (June 4, 2015). "Bellator releases Sokoudjou and 7 other fighters from their roster". bloodyelbow.com.
- ^ http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2015/9/14/9324625/beyond-the-octagon-bellator-frodo-khasbulaev-returns-UFC-vet-Rizzo