Rafael Silva (fighter)

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Rafael Silva
Silva locking a guillotine choke on Mika Ilmén in 2005
Born (1985-03-20) March 20, 1985 (age 39)
Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Other namesMorcego
The Machine
NationalityBrazilian
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)
DivisionBantamweight
Reach65 in (165 cm)
Fighting out ofLages, Santa Catarina, Brazil
TeamRenovação Fight Team (formerly)
Astra Fight Team[1]
Rank1st degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Weber Ecamila[2]
Years active2005–2022
Mixed martial arts record
Total39
Wins31
By knockout8
By submission15
By decision8
Losses8
By knockout3
By submission1
By decision4
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Rafael Silva (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʁafaˈew ˈsiwvɐ]; born March 20, 1985) is a retired Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, Silva has competed in his native Brazil for most of his career, but has also multiple bouts in Pancrase, where he was the Bantamweight King of Pancrase, and Bellator MMA.

Background[edit]

Silva started training martial arts at the age of 15.[3] His brother Julio Cesar Neves is also a professional mixed martial artist.[4]

Mixed martial arts career[edit]

Early career[edit]

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 former 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[edit]

In June 2012, it was announced that Silva had signed with Bellator MMA,[5] 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.[6]

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.[7] Silva lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva faced Rob Emerson on October 3, 2014 at Bellator 127.[8] He won the fight by unanimous decision.

Silva faced Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 137 on May 15, 2015.[9] 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.[10]

Post-Bellator career[edit]

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.[11]

After two submission wins in smaller independent organizations, Silva signed with Pancrase.

Pancrase[edit]

In his promotional debut Silva faced Shohei Masumizu at Pancrase 276 on March 13, 2016, winning the bout via submission in the first round.

Next he faced Masakatsu Ueda at Pancrase 279 on July 24, 2016. Silva won the bout via unanimous decision.

In his third Pancrase bout Silva faced Victor Henry at Pancrase 282 on November 13, 2016. He won the fight via split decision.

Three straight victories in the promotion aligned Silva to challenge the prevailing Bantamweight King of Pancrase Shintaro Ishiwatari at Pancrase 287 on May 28, 2017. He lost the title fight via unanimous decision.[12]

Later that year, Ishiwatari's title was vacated as he left Pancrase to enter Rizin Bantamweight Grand Prix, leading Silva to rematch Masakatsu Ueda for the interim Bantamweight Championship. The fight eventually happened at Pancrase 296 on May 20, 2018, Silva becoming the interim Bantamweight King of Pancrase via unanimous decision. He was subsequently promoted to undisputed Bantamweight King of Pancrase.[13]

In the first title defense, Silva faced Kenta Takizawa at Pancrase 303 on March 17, 2019. Silva successfully defended the title, winning the fight via submission in the first round.[14]

As the second title defense, Silva faced Yuto Hokamura at Pancrase 307 on July 21, 2019. Silva defended his title again via second round submission win.[15]

ONE Championship[edit]

In October 2019, Silva's manager revealed that Silva is no longer under contract with Pancrase, and had signed a one-bout contract with ONE Championship. In his promotional debut, Silva faced Shoko Sato at ONE Championship: Century Part 2 on October 13, 2019.[16] Silva lost the round via technical knockout in the second round.[17]

Silva was then scheduled to face Gabriel Miranda at Brave CF 35 on March 28, 2020.[18] However, the bout was scrapped after the event was postponed to another date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Silva was scheduled to have a unification match with Taichi Nakajima at Pancrase 327 in April, 2022, however he suffered a knee injury and retired from MMA.[19]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

Mixed martial arts record[edit]

Professional record breakdown
39 matches 31 wins 8 losses
By knockout 8 3
By submission 15 1
By decision 8 4
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 31–8 Vicente Vargas TKO (punches) UAE Warriors 48 March 3, 2024 3 2:14 Balneário Camboriú, Brazil
Loss 31–7 Shoko Sato TKO (punches) ONE: Century – Part 2 October 13, 2019 2 4:30 Tokyo, Japan
Win 31–6 Yuto Hokamura Submission (arm-triangle choke) Pancrase 307 July 21, 2019 2 1:54 Tokyo, Japan Defended the Pancrase Bantamweight Championship.
Win 30–6 Kenta Takizawa Submission (rear-naked choke) Pancrase 303 March 17, 2019 1 3:12 Tokyo, Japan Defended the Pancrase Bantamweight Championship.
Win 29–6 Masakatsu Ueda Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 296 May 20, 2018 5 5:00 Tokyo, Japan Won the interim Pancrase Bantamweight Championship. Later promoted to undisputed champion.
Loss 28–6 Shintaro Ishiwatari Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 287 May 28, 2017 5 5:00 Tokyo, Japan For the Pancrase Bantamweight Championship.
Win 28–5 Victor Henry Decision (split) Pancrase 282 November 13, 2016 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 27–5 Masakatsu Ueda Decision (unanimous) Pancrase 279 July 24, 2016 3 5:00 Tokyo, Japan
Win 26–5 Shohei Masumizu Submission (arm-triangle choke) Pancrase 276 March 13, 2016 1 2:58 Tokyo, Japan
Win 25–5 Ruben Hernandez Parra Submission (arm-triangle choke) The Best Fighter 1 January 9, 2016 1 1:47 Praia, Cape Verde
Win 24–5 Jeferson Vieira da Silva Submission (armbar) XFC International 13 December 5, 2015 2 1:25 São Paulo, Brazil
Win 23–5 Derinaldo Guerra Submission (arm-triangle choke) Aspera FC 24 September 12, 2015 1 4:03 São José, 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 For the interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
Win 21–3 Anthony Leone Decision (unanimous) Bellator 102 October 4, 2013 3 5:00 Visalia, California, United States Won the Bellator 2013 Summer Series Bantamweight Tournament.
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, Brazil
Win 18–3 Luciano Aranha TKO (punches) Connect Fight Night 2 July 17, 2012 1 1:56 Biguacu, Brazil
Win 17–3 Mauricio da Silva KO (head kick) Energy Force May 19, 2012 1 0:07 Navegantes, Brazil
Win 16–3 Saulo Silva KO (Superman punch) Connect Fight Night 1 March 31, 2012 1 1:15 Balneario Camboriu, Brazil
Win 15–3 Diego D'Avila TKO (punches) Nitrix Champion Fight 10 February 11, 2012 1 3:52 Camboriú, Brazil
Win 14–3 Wagner Noronha Decision (split) Apocalypse Fighting Championship October 8, 2011 3 5:00 Passo Fundo, Brazil
Win 13–3 Fernando Giacometti TKO (elbows) Octagon MMA October 1, 2011 1 1:04 Itajaí, Brazil
Win 12–3 Tiago Silva KO (punch) 1 0:52
Win 11–3 Jonatan Feitosa Submission (rear-naked choke) Centurion Mixed Martial Arts 2 July 9, 2011 3 2:42 Itajaí, Brazil
Win 10–3 Ozeias Costa Decision (unanimous) Full Heroes Battle 4 June 25, 2011 3 5:00 Paranagua, Brazil
Win 9–3 Rogerio Goncalves Menna Submission (arm-triangle choke) World Fighting Combat: Pretorian June 11, 2011 1 2:46 Pelotas, Brazil
Loss 8–3 Diego D'Avila Submission (armbar) Nitrix Champion Fight 6 February 19, 2011 1 4:33 Brusque, Brazil
Win 8–2 Erikson Lima Submission (rear-naked choke) Centurion Mixed Martial Arts January 15, 2011 1 1:38 Balneario Camboriu, Brazil
Win 7–2 Fabio Nunes Submission (kimura) Colizeu Fight Championship November 20, 2010 1 1:02 Joaçaba, Brazil
Win 6–2 Edson da Silva Submission (triangle choke) Black Trunk Fight 1 August 14, 2010 1 N/A Florianópolis, Brazil
Win 5–2 Joilson Costelinha Submission (armbar) Nitrix Champion Fight 5 May 15, 2010 1 4:53 Balneario Camboriu, Brazil
Win 4–2 David Bad Boy Submission (rear-naked choke) Nitrix Show Fight 4 February 6, 2010 1 4:40 Balneario Camboriu, Brazil
Win 3–2 John Lineker Decision (unanimous) Warrior's Challenge 4 December 30, 2009 3 5:00 Porto Belo, Brazil
Win 2–2 Wagner Mexicano TKO (retirement) Nitrix Show Fight 3 November 14, 2009 2 N/A Itajaí, Brazil
Loss 1–2 Alessandro Cordeiro TKO (punches) Nitrix Show Fight 2 May 16, 2009 2 N/A Joinville, Brazil
Loss 1–1 Marcio Furlin Decision (split) Floripa Fight 2 April 29, 2006 3 5:00 Florianópolis, Brazil
Win 1–0 Wallid Wallid TKO (punches) X-treme Combat June 5, 2005 1 2:36 Brazil

References[edit]

  1. ^ Bruno Massami (March 14, 2014). "Marcelo Brigadeiro se rende ao MMA Feminino e opina a favor do TRT com regra justa: Pura hipocrisia!". gazetaesportiva.com (in Portuguese).
  2. ^ Rafael Silva [@morcegomma_] (April 10, 2016). "Uma imagem vale mais que palavras ,e ontem foi mais um dia especial na minha vida !Depois de muito tempo de jiu-jítsu ganhei meu 1 grau na faixa preta ,e o melhor de tudo ganhar de quem me ensinou tudo que sei no Jiu,às vezes as coisas na nossas vida mudam um pouco mas a história já feita não tem como muda ,quero agradecer muito mestre @weberlango" – via Instagram.
  3. ^ "Rafael "Morcego" Silva - ONE Championship". ONE Championship. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "Brave signs impressive-record and former Bellator Brazilian Julio Cesar Morceguinho". bahrainthisweek.com. January 22, 2017.
  5. ^ Staff (2012-06-01). "Bellator signs Brazilian bantamweight Rafael Silva". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2013-10-05.
  6. ^ Bellator (2014-02-05). "With Silva Injured, Anthony Leone Steps Up To Face Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas". bellator.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-30. Retrieved 2014-02-05.
  7. ^ "Bellator 118 official weigh-in results: Silva heavy for interim title fight". May 2014.
  8. ^ "Bellator 127 full fight card finalized for Pechanga Resort & Casino on Oct. 3 on Spike TV". mmamania.com. September 15, 2014.
  9. ^ Tristen Critchfield (April 15, 2015). "Darrion Caldwell-Rafael Silva Matchup Added to Bellator 137 Main Card". sherdog.com.
  10. ^ Steph Daniels (June 4, 2015). "Bellator releases Sokoudjou and 7 other fighters from their roster". bloodyelbow.com.
  11. ^ Rainer Lee (September 14, 2015). "Beyond the Octagon: Bellator's Khasbulaev returns, plus video of Pedro Rizzo's final fight". bloodyelbow.com.
  12. ^ Akihiro Tatematsu (May 29, 2017). "Ishiwatari, Syuri Kondo get big wins at Pancrase 287". asiamma.com.
  13. ^ Zach Aittama (May 19, 2018). "Pancrase 296 Results: Silva Again Bests Ueda, Fujino Edges Jacobson". combatpress.com.
  14. ^ "Pancrase 303 Results". mma-japan.net. March 19, 2019.
  15. ^ Mike Skytte (July 21, 2019). "Pancrase 307 Results – Rafael Silva defends, Kitakata stuns Sunabe". thebodylockmma.com.
  16. ^ Guilherme Cruz (October 12, 2019). "Pancrase champion Rafael Silva plans to 'test the market' after ONE Century". mmafighting.com.
  17. ^ "ONE Championship 100, Part 2 results: Aung La N Sang retains in thriller". mmajunkie.com. October 13, 2019.
  18. ^ Conan Altatis (February 14, 2020). "Gabriel Miranda vs Rafael Silva at 'BRAVE CF 35' in Balneário Camboriú, Santa Catarina, Brazil". conandaily.com.
  19. ^ "パンクラス 12.25 横浜武道館：中島太一のバンタム級王座に4連勝中のTSUNEが挑戦。石渡・瀧澤・金太郎・佐藤将光と戦ったハファエル・シウバは引退 | BOUTREVIEW" (in Japanese). 2022-10-07. Retrieved 2022-10-07.
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