Long-time UFC matchmaker Joe Silva is set to leave the company later this year as a result of WME-IMG taking over from Zuffa as the new owners.
It doesn’t appear to be a case of Silva being ousted by the new regime however, with sources suggesting that Silva profited from the sale of the company as an executive, and as a result is now looking to retire and spend more time with his family.
Silva has been part of the furniture in the UFC for longer than just about anybody else in the company, having initially served as a consultant as far back as UFC 3, and eventually went on to become the chief matchmaker for the organization.
The UFC has changed dramatically during Silva’s tenure, from the early days when he had to put together fights for just a handful of fighters spread across just a few events each year, to the present day when there’s well over 600 fighters on the roster and shows happening practically every week.
In more recent times, after sister promotion WEC was merged with UFC, their matchmaker Sean Shelby was also brought on-board to support Silva, taking over the newer weight classes below lightweight.
When Silva does step away by the end of the year, it’s likely that Shelby will take over at least some of his responsibilities, but it’s unclear at this stage if someone else will be recruited to work alongside him.
