Every great martial arts fighter has his time. For Anderson Silva, who is age 34, his time is almost up. However, history will show that he was the best pound for pound fighter in the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) and the UFC (Ultimate Fighter Challenge).
Anderson Silva started his training at age 14 in tae kwon do and earned his first black belt at age 18. His second black belt is in judo. He began his professional career at age 25 with a decision loss but went on to win his next nine fights, including the previously unbeaten 18-0 fighter from Japan, Hayato Sakuri.
With a record of 15 wins and four defeats, Silva joined the UFC and on June 28, 2006 won his UFC debut with a KO over 15 and one Chris Lubin. His second UFC fight was on October 14, 2006 and he won the UFC Middleweight Championship title from Rich Franklin, who at the time had a record of 20 wins and one loss. His record with the UFC is a record setting nine wins and no losses, with five defenses of his middleweight title. Silva is the only fighter in UFC history to post nine victories in a row.
His next scheduled fight is August 8th, as he moves up to the light heavyweight division, and will not be in defense of his middleweight crown. He is contractually obligated to the UFC for four more fights after the August 8th bout with Forrest Griffin. He then plans to retire at age 35 from the UFC. Already the best UFC fighter ever, imagine the legacy Silva will leave if he wins his remaining five fights and finishes his UFC career at 14 wins and no defeats.