Wanderlei Silva Reflects On UFC Hall Of Fame Announcement: 'You Guys Were So Close To Making Me Cry!'

Originally a Vale Tudo fighter, Silva's career stretches back to late 1996. While he competed on a few early UFC cards, which included fights with Vitor Belfort and Tito Ortiz, Silva is best known for his work with PRIDE Fighting Championships from 1999 until the promotion's closing in 2007.

At PRIDE 17, Silva defeated Kazushi Sakuraba to become the inaugural PRIDE middleweight champion. He went on to defend the title four times, earning the record for the most consecutive successful title defenses in PRIDE history. The winner of the 2023 PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix, Silva also became the first fighter in the promotion's history to win a championship and a Grand Prix.

Additionally, Silva's 22 wins in PRIDE are the most in its history. He also holds the record for the most knockouts in PRIDE history (15) and the longest unbeaten streak in PRIDE history (20). He and Mirko Cro Cop also tied for the most finishes in the organization's history with 16.

Following the end of PRIDE, Silva jumped to the UFC for a nine-fight stint between 2007 and 2013 before ending his career with a pair of fights in Bellator.

Needless to say, Silva has seen the sport grow massively in his time.

"When I arrived here today, I saw a lot of people working, all the media," Silva said. "Congratulations to all of you guys. You guys are doing a great job."

Silva is perhaps best known for a four-fight rivalry with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Silva earned the win both times they fought in PRIDE, including their fight at PRIDE 28 that earned 2004 Fight of the Year honors, while Jackson won their bouts in the UFC and Bellator.

But Silva's best fight memory goes to his final fight with the UFC in 2013, where he knocked out Brian Stann in his home country of Brazil.

"I think my last fight in Brazil when I fought against Brian Stann was one of the best fights of my career," Silva said.

Silva joins Frankie Edgar in the UFC Hall of Fame Class of 2024 participants announced thus far.