Bruno Gustavo da Silva
Brazilian mixed martial artist (born 1990)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bruno Gustavo Aparecido da Silva (born 16 March 1990) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 3 March 2026, he is #15 in the UFC flyweight rankings.[7]
16 March 1990
Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| Bruno Gustavo | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bruno Gustavo Aparecido da Silva[1] 16 March 1990 Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Other names | Bulldog |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Weight | 125.5 lb (57 kg; 9 st 0 lb) |
| Division | Bantamweight (2015–2020) Flyweight (2013–2015, 2017–2018, 2020–present) |
| Reach | 65 in (165 cm)[2] |
| Fighting out of | Coconut Creek, Florida, U.S.[3] |
| Team | Black House (2012–2015)[4] Fight Ready MMA (2015–2024)[4][3] American Top Team (2024–present)[3] |
| Rank | Black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu[5] under Felipe Vidal[6] |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 26 |
| Wins | 15 |
| By knockout | 6 |
| By submission | 5 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By knockout | 3 |
| By submission | 1 |
| By decision | 4 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background
Silva was born and grew up in the neighbourhoods of Piracicaba, Brazil, with one sister and one brother.[8] Playing various sports in his childhood, Silva dabbled in martial arts by training in capoeira around the age of ten.[8] Eventually, at the age of 19, he started training mixed martial arts.[8]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Starting his career in 2011, Silva racked up a 7–2–1 record in his native Brazil before trying out for The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 in late 2014.[4][9]
TUF Brazil 4
In the preliminary bout for the season, Silva faced Gustavo Sedório. Silva won the fight via first-round technical knockout due to a jaw injury Sedório suffered.[10]
In the quarterfinals, Silva faced Dileno Lopes. Silva lost the bout via first-round submission and was eliminated from the tournament.[11]
Post-TUF career
After the season, Silva moved to Arizona in 2015 in order to train at Fight Ready MMA. He competed mostly in the United States, racking up 3–1–1 with his most memorable fights being winning the World Fighting Federation Flyweight title and also a draw against fellow future UFC fighter, Casey Kenney at LFA 11.[9]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Silva was scheduled to face Khalid Taha on 7 September 2019, at UFC 242.[12] However, on 21 August, it was reported that the bout was moved to UFC 243.[13] He lost the fight via submission in round three.[14] On 23 December 2019, Taha received a one-year USADA suspension for tested positive for furosemide (diuretics) in an in-competition urine sample provided on 6 October 2019 where Taha took a medicine for reducing inflammation and swelling in his eyes which contained furosemide. The fight was ruled a no-contest.[15]
Silva was scheduled to face Su Mudaerji in a flyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 170 on 14 March 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in mainland China, Mudaerji was forced to withdraw from the event as he would not travel to prepare for the fight and was replaced by promotional newcomer David Dvořák.[16] He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[17]
Silva was scheduled to face Tagir Ulanbekov on 12 September 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177.[18] However, due to travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pairing was rescheduled and took place four weeks later at UFC Fight Night 179.[19] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[20]
As the last fight of his prevailing contract, Silva faced JP Buys on 20 March 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21.[21] After knocking Buys down multiple times during the bout, da Silva won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.[22][23] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[24]
Silva signed a new, four-fight deal with the organisation.[25]
Silva, replacing Denys Bondar, faced Victor Rodriguez on 22 May 2021, at UFC Fight Night 188.[26] He won the fight via knockout a minute into the first round.[27] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[28]
Silva faced Tyson Nam on 11 March 2023, at UFC Fight Night 221.[29] He won the fight via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in round two.[30] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[31]
Silva was scheduled to face Cody Durden on 23 September 2023, at UFC Fight Night 228. However, the bout was cancelled because Durden filled in to face Jake Hadley at UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Font as a result of the withdrawal of Hadley's original opponent.[32] Durden and Silva faced each other on 20 July 2024, at UFC on ESPN 60.[33] Silva won the fight by technical knockout in the second round.[34] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award.[35]
Silva faced former RIZIN Bantamweight Champion Manel Kape on 14 December 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63.[36] Despite delivering three low-blows resulting in a point deduction for Silva, Silva ended up losing the fight by technical knockout via a body kick and punches in the third round.[37]
Silva was scheduled to face Joshua Van on 8 March 2025, at UFC 313.[38] However, Silva pulled out due to an injury and was replaced by Road to UFC Season 2 flyweight winner Rei Tsuruya.[39] The bout was rescheduled and took place on 7 June 2025 at UFC 316.[39] Silva lost the fight by technical knockout late into the third round.[40]
Silva faced Park Hyun-sung on 18 October 2025 at UFC Fight Night 262.[41] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.[42]
Silva was scheduled to face Lone'er Kavanagh on 14 March 2026, at UFC Fight Night 269.[43] However, Kavanagh withdrew from the bout to headline UFC Fight Night 268.[44] Former LFA Flyweight Champion Charles Johnson stepped in as a replacement to face Silva.[45] Silva lost the fight by split decision.[46]
Silva is scheduled to face Édgar Cháirez on 6 June 2026 at UFC Fight Night 278.[47]
Championships and accomplishments
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. JP Buys, Victor Rodriguez, Tyson Nam, and Cody Durden[24][28][31][35]
- World Fighting Federation
- WFF Flyweight Championship (One time)[48]
Mixed martial arts record
| 26 matches | 15 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 6 | 3 |
| By submission | 5 | 1 |
| By decision | 4 | 4 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 15–8–2 (1) | Charles Johnson | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Emmett vs. Vallejos | 14 March 2026 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 15–7–2 (1) | Park Hyun-sung | Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: de Ridder vs. Allen | 18 October 2025 | 3 | 2:15 | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | |
| Loss | 14–7–2 (1) | Joshua Van | TKO (punches) | UFC 316 | 7 June 2025 | 3 | 4:01 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Loss | 14–6–2 (1) | Manel Kape | TKO (body kick and punches) | UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley | 14 December 2024 | 3 | 1:57 | Tampa, Florida, United States | Silva was deducted one point in round 2 due to a groin strike. |
| Win | 14–5–2 (1) | Cody Durden | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Lemos vs. Jandiroba | 20 July 2024 | 2 | 2:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 13–5–2 (1) | Tyson Nam | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili | 11 March 2023 | 2 | 1:23 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 12–5–2 (1) | Victor Rodriguez | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt | 22 May 2021 | 1 | 1:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 11–5–2 (1) | JP Buys | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs. Holland | 20 March 2021 | 2 | 2:56 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 10–5–2 (1) | Tagir Ulanbekov | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen | 11 October 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Loss | 10–4–2 (1) | David Dvořák | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Lee vs. Oliveira | 14 March 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Brasília, Brazil | Return to Flyweight. |
| NC | 10–3–2 (1) | Khalid Taha | NC (overturned) | UFC 243 | 6 October 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Melbourne, Australia | Bantamweight bout; Taha missed weight (137 lb). Originally a submission (arm-triangle choke) win for Taha; overturned after he tested positive for furosemide. |
| Win | 10–3–2 | Ralph Acosta | Decision (unanimous) | World Fighting Federation 40 | 15 December 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | Won the WFF Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–3–2 | Joe Madrid | TKO (punches) | World Fighting Federation 35 | 19 August 2017 | 1 | 4:23 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | Bantamweight bout. |
| Draw | 8–3–2 | Casey Kenney | Draw (split) | LFA 11 | 5 May 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3–1 | Adalto Prado | KO (head kick) | Aspera FC 44 | 10 September 2016 | 1 | 0:07 | São Pedro, Brazil | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 8–2–1 | Matt Betzold | Decision (split) | World Fighting Federation 25 | 7 November 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Chandler, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 7–2–1 | Heider Prais | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Team Nogueira: MMA Fight Live | 4 September 2014 | 3 | 3:23 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–2–1 | Sóslenis Carvalho | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Talent MMA Circuit 8 | 12 April 2014 | 3 | 4:33 | Valinhos, Brazil | |
| Win | 5–2–1 | Júlio Cesar Moraes | KO (spinning wheel kick) | Team Nogueira: MMA Circuit 4 | 5 November 2013 | 3 | 0:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–2–1 | Atila Oliveira | Decision (unanimous) | MMA Challenge: Ponte Preta | 20 September 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Campinas, Brazil | |
| Draw | 3–2–1 | Yury Valenzuela | Draw (majority) | Encontro Fight 2 | 27 July 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Santa Bárbara d'Oeste, Brazil | |
| Loss | 3–2 | Wesley Batista | Decision (unanimous) | Corumbatai Fight | 14 July 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Corumbataí, Brazil | |
| Win | 3–1 | James Carvalho | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Arena Fight Uberlandia 4 | 10 December 2011 | 1 | 5:00 | Uberlândia, Brazil | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Rodrigo Marcos | Submission (armbar) | Hombres de Honor 29 | 24 September 2011 | 3 | 0:22 | Sorocaba, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–0 | Renato Higen Carriel | Decision (unanimous) | Circuito MMA Kyokushinkaikan 2 | 4 June 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Sorocaba, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–0 | Paulo Magueta | Submission | Circuito MMA Kyokushinkaikan | 6 February 2011 | 1 | 1:31 | Sorocaba, Brazil |
Mixed martial arts exhibition record
| 2 matches | 1 win | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By submission | 0 | 1 |
| By decision | 0 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1–1 | Dileno Lopes | Submission (guillotine choke) | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 | 13 February 2015 (airdate) | 1 | 1:05 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 Quarterfinals round |
| Win | 1–0 | Gustavo Sedório | TKO (jaw injury) | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 | 2 February 2015 (airdate) | 1 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 4 Entry round |