Home

UFC

What Happened to Thiago Silva, MMA Fighter Once Cut by the UFC After Violent Stand-Off With Authorities

Published 02/05/2024, 4:37 AM EST

Follow Us

Thiago Silva’s career in MMA was astounding when he was suddenly struck by karma. Silva was once a valid ranked fighter in the UFC but fate had other plans for him. His deeds came in his way of becoming a potential champion in the UFC. Silva was jailed on aggravated assault charges back in 2014.

Once a top-ranked UFC fighter, Silva experienced a significant ͏downfall after his ar͏rest. The ͏UFC, unwilling͏ to take chances, eventually released him on September 5, 2014. However, what led Silva to commit the crime from 2012 to 2014 remains a mystery that we aim to uncover.

The rise of Thiago Silva in MMA

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Thiago Silva’s MMA career is nothing but a rollercoaster ride down the depths of Amazon. Rising through the ranks of the promotion, Silva was considered a massive threat in the light heavyweight division. Hailing from the streets of Brazil, Silva was a frightening fighter with an aggressive stance. Silva’s prowess was such that he was known for his ferocity and MMA intensity.

Silva has victories over formidable opponents under his belt. His wins over Houston Alexander and Antonio Mendes solidified his status in the MMA world. But, the breakthrough came at UFC 94 when he fought against the legend Lyota Machida. He fought well but it was not enough to defeat Machida, resulting in Silva losing the match and it broke his 13-fight win streak in MMA. Despite this setback, Silva rebounded with a significant win over Keith Jardine at UFC 102, demonstrating his resilience.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Yet, challenges surfaced in Silva’s journey,͏ including a notable ͏loss to Rashad Evans ͏at UFC 108 and incidents like a failed drug test, leading to suspension and impacting his standings and sche͏duled͏ fights. Silva’s career reflects the unpredictable nature of MMA, with both triumphs and setbacks shaping his enduring legacy in the sport. At the end of his career, Silva boasted a 21-9 track record.

As apparent, Silva was enjoying a successful career for himself. So, what happened to him? Why did everything go downhill for the Brazilian fighter? Let’s find out.

The arrest and downfall of Silva

Silva’s downfall was initiated not by any upset loss but rather by his arrest. Silva was arrested after allegedly threatening his estranged wife and her partner with a gun, leading to an armed standoff with police at his home. According to the reports, Silva and his former wife of 13 years, Thaysa were going through a tough phase after their separation in 2012. Thaysa was involved in an ongoing extramarital affair with Pablo Popovitch, founder of the Team Popovitch Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Watch this Story:  5 Interesting Facts You Need to Know About Jairzinho Rozenstruik

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Silva was not ready to admit that they were separated. One day, Silva snapped and drove to Popovitch’s training center, where Popovitch and Thaysa were located. The blaring horn echoed through the quiet street until Thaysa emerged from her place. As she approached the vehicle, Silva, clearly under the influence, brandished a Glock firearm in her direction. Silva stated that if Popovitch didn’t come out of the building then he would go inside and kill everybody. it must be noted that at that time 25 students were there in the arena.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Popovitch reportedly emerged and walked towards the car after Thiago issued another threat, this time targeting both Popovitch and Thaysa. Fearing for their safety, Popovitch hurried back indoors, secured the door, and promptly dialed 911. What followed was a police arrest of the UFC fighter and dismissal of the fighter from the roster.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Suryakant Das

1,061Articles

One take at a time

I'm Suryakant Das, an avid sports enthusiast from a family that cherishes the world of sports. I still vividly recall the day my father took me to watch Indian wrestling, sparking my fascination with the discipline and the aura of those warriors. Over time, my love for combat sports grew, and now, I'm a UFC writer at EssentiallySports.
Show More>

Edited by:

Joyita Das