Anderson Silva Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Height, Parents, UFC Record, Career

Anderson da Silva, known as “The Spider,” is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and former UFC Middleweight Champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time. He held the UFC Middleweight title from 2006 to 2013, defending it a record 10 times against opponents like Chael Sonnen and Vitor Belfort.

Renowned for his pinpoint striking, Muay Thai mastery, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Silva’s highlight-reel knockouts, including those of Rich Franklin and Forrest Griffin, captivated fans. After leaving the UFC in 2020, he pursued boxing, facing Jake Paul and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Profile

• Full Name: Anderson da Silva
• Stage Name: The Spider
• Born: 14 April, 1975
• Age: 50 years old
• Birthplace: São Paulo, Brazil
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Occupation: Mixed Martial Artist, Boxer, Coach, Entrepreneur
• Height: 1.88 m
• Parents: Juarez Silva, Vera Lúcia da Silva
• Siblings: Christian Edmundo Silva
• Spouse: Dayane Silva (m. 2007)
• Children: Gabriel Silva, Kalyl Silva, Kaory Silva, Kauana Silva, João Vitor Silva
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $8 million

Early Life and Education

Anderson da Silva was born on April 14, 1975, in São Paulo, Brazil, to Juarez and Vera Lúcia da Silva. Raised in a modest household in Curitiba with his brother, Christian Edmundo Silva, he faced financial hardships, often working odd jobs like selling ice cream to support his family.

Silva began training in martial arts at age 12, starting with taekwondo before mastering Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Details about his formal education are limited, as he left school early to focus on martial arts and provide for his family. His ethnicity is Brazilian, and his religion is not publicly disclosed.

Career

Anderson Silva began his career in mixed martial arts in 1997, debuting with a submission loss at Brazilian Freestyle Circuit 1. He rebounded with a 9-1 record in promotions like Mecca and Shooto, earning a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

In 2002, Silva joined PRIDE Fighting Championships, defeating Alex Stiebling and Carlos Newton before a controversial loss to Daiju Takase in 2003. He also competed in Cage Rage, winning the Middleweight Championship in 2004 against Lee Murray. Silva’s UFC debut in 2006 was a 49-second knockout of Chris Leben at UFC Fight Night 5, earning him a title shot.

Silva’s career peaked when he won the UFC Middleweight Championship in 2006 by knocking out Rich Franklin at UFC 64. His 16-fight UFC win streak included defenses against Dan Henderson, Chael Sonnen, and Vitor Belfort, with iconic moments like his front-kick knockout of Belfort at UFC 126.

His reign ended in 2013 with a knockout loss to Chris Weidman at UFC 162, followed by a rematch loss due to a leg break. Silva faced setbacks, including a 2015 no-contest against Nick Diaz due to a failed drug test, but returned with wins over Derek Brunson and Israel Adesanya. His UFC tenure ended in 2020 after a loss to Uriah Hall, with a 34-11-1 MMA record.

Post-UFC, Anderson Silva transitioned to boxing, defeating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2021 and losing to Jake Paul in 2022. He competed in an exhibition boxing match against Chael Sonnen in 2024, ending in a draw.

Silva now coaches at his Spider Kick gym in Los Angeles and mentors fighters like UFC flyweight Brandon Moreno. His 2017 UFC Hall of Fame induction for his contributions to MMA underscores his legacy. Silva remains active in combat sports, with recent X posts suggesting interest in future exhibitions. His influence as a technical innovator and global MMA icon endures.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @spiderandersonsilva
• Facebook Handle: Anderson Spider Silva
• Twitter Handle: @SpiderAnderson

Personal Life

Anderson da Silva married Dayane Silva in 2007, and they have five children: Gabriel, Kalyl, Kaory, Kauana, and João Vitor. The family splits time between Los Angeles, California, and Curitiba, Brazil.

Known for his humility, Silva is a dedicated father, often sharing family moments on social media.

Net Worth

Anderson da Silva has an estimated net worth of around $8 million USD. His wealth primarily comes from UFC fight purses, with reported earnings of over $500,000 per fight during his championship reign, plus pay-per-view bonuses.

Additional income stems from boxing matches, endorsements with brands like Nike and Burger King, and his Spider Kick gym in Los Angeles.