One of the greatest boxers of all time has finally been inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
During Saturday’s UFC 286 livestream, publicity officials announced that Anderson Silva will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2023.
Silva was elected to the Herald Wing of the Hall.
Silva (34-11, 1NC) remains the most decorated middleweight mixed martial arts champion of all time. His 10 successful title defenses at 185 pounds is unprecedented, and his 16-game winning streak from 2006 to 2012 is also unmatched in UFC history, with a title reign of 2,457 days.
“Spider” Wins Middleweight Gold Medal Over Rich Franklin At UFC 64 And Will Defend The Belt Against Thales Wrights, Dan Henderson, Patrick Cotter, Vito Belfort, Yushin Kami Charl Sonnen et al. Seeming to be completely bored with his weight class, Silva occasionally made it to 205 pounds, beating Stephen Bonnall and Forrest Griffin there.
After his title reign ended when Chris Weidman was knocked out (and his career was subsequently jeopardized with a fractured leg in the rematch), Silva continued to fight, fighting with Daniel meets Cormier for a light heavyweight fight after Jon Jones was disqualified for failing a drug test.
Since retiring from MMA in October 2020, Silva has transitioned into a boxing career with considerable success and is still competing well into his 40s.
“Anderson Silva is one of the greatest athletes of all time,” UFC President Dana White said in a press release following Saturday’s announcement. “Anderson’s 16-game winning streak in the UFC, 10 successful title defenses and nearly seven years as a middleweight champion is one of the greatest things we’ve ever seen in professional sports. He’s an absolute artist in the Octagon, bringing him in this summer It will be an honor to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.”
This year’s UFC Hall of Fame induction will take place during International Fight Week in July.