Bruno Silva’s journey in the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been quite a roller coaster. The former M-1 Global champion experienced both highs and lows during his five-bout run in the UFC. Silva will soon attempt to break his two-fight losing streak as he prepares to face Brad Tavares in a UFC Fight Night 222 middleweight showcase on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Impressive Start to UFC Career
Silva had an impressive beginning in the Octagon, achieving back-to-back finishes against Wellington Turman, Andrew Sanchez, and Jordan Wright, with two of those victories resulting in $50,000 performance bonuses. Reflecting on those wins, Silva said, “Those three fights in a row were unforgettable. The bonuses improved and changed my family’s life. I invested the money in our future. It was one of the most incredible periods of my career.”
Recent Struggles and Future Outlook
Unfortunately, Silva’s success was short-lived. Following a decision loss to Alex Pereira at UFC Fight Night 203 on March 12, 2022, and a submission defeat to Gerald Meerschaert at UFC on ESPN 41 five months later, Silva found himself facing a rough patch. The loss to Meerschaert, in particular, left a bitter taste in the Brazilian’s mouth as he admitted, “My last fight was horrible. I fought very badly. I underestimated my opponent. I was very mentally tired, as I’d had five fights in 14 months. Nothing worked. I wanted it to end soon and wanted to go home.”
Silva continues to hone his skills at the Evolucao Thai academy in Curitiba, Brazil. The 33-year-old fighter remains dedicated to improving his standup, ground, and wrestling techniques. His upcoming match against veteran Brad Tavares gives him the opportunity to prove his mettle and bounce back from his recent setbacks. Silva shared his thoughts on the fight, stating, “Tavares is the kind of fight I like, because I know there’s a dangerous guy in front of me. I’ll do my best to win. I really believe it will be a great fight. My focus this time is not to put on a show but to beat him in any way possible: knockout, submission or on points. It’s going to be a war.”