Plenty of UFC and MMA fans point to Anderson Silva as one of their all-time favorite fighters. It’s hard for many to not at least include him in their top 10 thanks to not only his incredible fighting style but also his defensive abilities which are often argued as the greatest to ever grace the Octagon. Silva has had the type of career that many fighters can only dream of.Related: 10 Things UFC Fans Should Know About Frank & Ken, The Shamrock BrothersFor an idea of just how good Silva was, he held the Middleweight Championship for 2,457 days in a row. While other fighters have had equally impressive reigns, the nearest reign is nearly an entire year shy of Silva’s record. MMA fans could write an entire book just recounting Anderson Silva’s many career accolades.

10 He’s Thriving In The World Of Boxing

It’s hard to argue that Silva isn’t an incredible fighter. In recent years, Silva has managed to take his MMA excellence and apply it to a classic form of fighting in the world of boxing.

While his original professional boxing debut didn’t go the way he would have liked, he’s managed to pick up wins in his two 2021 boxing matches against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and none other than Tito Ortiz. His expert-level striking and masterful defense is likely a big part of his success with boxing.

9 Spider-Man Is One Of His Heroes

With a nickname like The Spider, it’s only appropriate that one of Silva’s favorite fictional characters is Spider-Man. Fans of Silva can likely draw parallels between Silva’s bombastic fighting style and the way the iconic comic hero moves.

Related: 10 Best Nicknames In MMA History

While many people point to Spider-Man as their favorite superhero, it’s worth noting that the people in Silva’s life growing up would often call him names and make accusations about his sexuality. Relating to a young hero who overcomes adversity may be what gave MMA fans Silva’s legendary career.

8 He Once Worked At McDonald’s

Anderson Silva
© Jayne Kamin-Oncea - USA Today Sports

Silva is a man that had humble beginnings, and his story is one that shows people that anyone can make a difference if they put in the effort. During his youth, Silva actually worked at none other than McDonald's.

Plenty of people across the world end up working at McDonald's at some point in their lives, and while some look at a job like that in shame, others view it as a starting point. Silva showed that he was destined for greater things, but occasionally those great things take time.

7 The UFC Wanted Him As Early As 2001

Anderson Silva
© Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

While UFC fans wouldn’t see Silva for quite a while after he was already solidifying his MMA legacy, it’s been said that the UFC was interested in him years before he finally appeared for the company.

UFC fans can only dream of how legendary Silva’s career could have been if he had the extra time with the promotion. It’s possible that all of Silva’s records could have become even more unattainable for up-and-coming fighters. It’s also possible that the talent in the promotion at the time may have proved a stiff challenge for Silva.

6 He Became Shooto Middleweight Champion in Two Fights

Some fighters have to scratch and claw their way to the top of the rankings in order to earn themselves a shot at the hottest champions. Silva managed to earn himself a title shot early in his career after a single fight.

Silva was put up against Hayato Sakurai for his title in his second Japan-based bout. The young Silva managed to pick up the win via unanimous decision in an incredible moment that saw him defeating an undefeated fighter who was on a 20-fight win streak.

5 He’s Had Some Surprising Sponsors

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During Silva’s prime, MMA sponsors weren’t always the most common thing to come by, and they were almost never major companies. While many fighters now have major company sponsors, Silva was one of the pioneers for big sponsors thanks to his mainstream fame.

One surprise is his close relationship with soccer superstar Ronaldo that led to Silva being sponsored by the sports marketing team at 9INE. Another surprising sponsor is the fast-food giant, Burger King. Other sponsors include companies like Nike, and even his favorite soccer club, Corinthians.

4 He Believes BJ Penn Is The Greatest Fighter Ever

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There are many people who believe that Anderson Silva is without a doubt the greatest fighter to ever step into the Octagon. It may surprise those people to learn that Silva believes BJ Penn is actually the greatest fighter of all time.

Related: 5 Best Nate Diaz Fights Of His MMA Career (& 5 Worst)

This isn’t just a simple claim. Silva has made the claim multiple times, and it’s not just that he’s the greatest fighter, but that he’s the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in the history of all MMA. That’s a pretty significant claim, but if anyone’s in a position to make such a claim, it’s someone like Anderson Silva.

3 He’s Had Some Issues With Drug Tests

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Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

MMA fighters aren’t exactly angels when it comes to living their personal lives. Everyone is human and while some people have their vices, others seek ways to gain a sneaky edge over their opponents.

While many fighters end up getting caught with drugs in their system, many MMA fans know that when Silva was caught on one occasion, his response practically became a meme. Upon testing positive during a drug test, Silva claimed the reason for the result was due to a sexual enhancement drug that had been tampered with.

2 He’s Got Plenty Of Acting Credits

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Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

As Anderson Silva became increasingly popular, the likelihood of his appearance in film and TV only grew. Silva managed to get plenty of personality across during his fights, and that personality translated well to the big screen.

Over the years, Silva has appeared in at least nine different productions in some capacity. While many of the films are the standard MMA fight films that fans might expect, titles like a stop-motion movie about a bunch of worms may surprise MMA fans. Occasionally appearing as himself, and sometimes as a character, Silva shines in each role he’s found.

1 He’s Gotten Honest About His Views On LGBTQ+ Fighters

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Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

While the world of MMA has actually done a lot for LGBTQ+ athletes across the globe, there are unfortunately still some who fear outing themselves for a variety of reasons. Silva has been brutally honest in the past when giving his opinion on LGBTQ+ fighters in MMA.

Many MMA fans will likely be happy to learn that Silva doesn’t care what someone’s sexual preferences are. Silva has often mentioned that what matters most is skill and respect and that those who show him respect will receive the same respect in return.