Leandro Silva (fighter)

Leandro Silva (born November 11, 1985) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the lightweight and welterweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Mixed martial arts career
Silva began training in Muay Thai at the age of 20, transitioning to mixed martial arts a couple of years later. He compiled a professional record of 11–1–1 before signing with the UFC in May 2013.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Silva made his promotional debut as a short notice replacement against Ildemar Alcântara on June 8, 2013, at UFC on Fuel TV 10. Silva lost the fight via unanimous decision.

After a string of victories on the regional circuit, Silva returned to the UFC against Francisco Trinaldo on September 13, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 51. Silva lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva next faced Charlie Brenneman on November 8, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 56. Silva defeated Brenneman via submission in the first round.

Silva faced Drew Dober on March 21, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 62. Silva won the fight via technical submission in the second round. Silva was attempting to secure a guillotine choke after dropping to the mat with Dober's neck secured in his arm. Dober defended and moved his body to the side to stave off being caught in the choke. Silva appeared to be losing his grip on the submission as Dober continued to work free. However, the referee stepped in and touched the fighters as if to motion that he was standing them up. In reality, he was stopping the fight due to submission despite the fact that Dober never tapped and was in no significant danger of being choked out from the hold. The fight was later overturned to a no contest by the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) after the referee Eduardo Herdy admitted his mistake.

Silva faced promotional newcomer Lewis Gonzalez on June 27, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 70. Silva won the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva faced Efrain Escudero on November 21, 2015, at The Ultimate Fighter Latin America 2 Finale. Silva won the fight by unanimous decision.

Silva next faced Jason Saggo on June 18, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 89. Silva lost the fight via split decision.

Silva next faced Rustam Khabilov on September 3, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 93, replacing an injured Reza Madadi. Silva lost the fight by unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the promotion.

Absolute Championship Berkut
After being released, Silva signed with ACB and made his promotional debut against Pat Healy on January 13, 2017, at ACB 51: Silva vs. Torgeson. He won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Silva was expected to face Musa Khamanaev on 20 May, 2017 at ACB 61. But Khamanev pulled out from the event.

Silva faced Joshua Aveleson July 23, 2017, at ACB 65. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva then faced Islam Makoev at ACB 73: Silva vs. Makoev on October 21, 2017. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva faced Ali Bagov at ACB 80: Tumenov vs. Burrell on February 16, 2018. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva faced Paulo Goncalves Silva in the inaugural Kumite 1 League event on September 28, 2018. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva faced Tilek Mashrapov at Titan FC 52: Soares vs. Uruguai on January 25, 2019. He won the fight via second-round technical knockout.

Silva then faced Maxim Shvets at ProFC 65 on May 19, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Oktagon MMA
Silva faced Robert Bryczek at OKTAGON 15 on November 9, 2019. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva faced Alex Lohoré at OKTAGON 21 on January 30, 2021. He won the fight via split decision.

Silva faced David Kozma at OKTAGON 24 on May 29, 2021. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Silva, as a replacement for Micah Terrill, faced Magomed Umalatov on August 13, 2021, at PFL 7. At weigh-ins, Silva weighed in at 172.5 pounds, missing weight by 1.5 pounds. The bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 20% of his purse, which went to Umalatov. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Silva faced Bojan Veličković on October 15, 2022, at Oktagon 36. He won the bout via split decision.

Silva faced Andreas Michailidis on March 4, 2023, at Oktagon 40 in the Oktagon Welterweight Tournament Round of 16, losing the bout via unanimous decision.

Silva faced Mohamed Grabinski on September 16, 2023, at Oktagon 46, submitting him in the third round via rear-naked choke.

Silva faced Christian Ecklerlin on November 18, 2023 at Oktagon 49, winning the bout via unanimous decision.