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.
| Rafael Silva | |
|---|---|
 Silva locking a guillotine choke on Mika Ilmén in 2005 | |
| Born | March 20, 1985 Lages, Santa Catarina, Brazil |
| Other names | Morcego The Machine |
| 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 | Renovação Fight Team (formerly) Astra Fight Team[1] |
| Rank | 1st degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Weber Ecamila[2] |
| Years active | 2005–2022 |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 39 |
| Wins | 31 |
| By knockout | 8 |
| By submission | 15 |
| By decision | 8 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
- Bellator MMA
- Pancrase
- Pancrase Interim Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)
- Pancrase Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)
- Two successful title defenses
- Aspera Fighting Championship
- AFC Bantamweight Championship (one time; former)
Mixed martial arts record
| 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 |