Claudio Silva has announced his retirement from the sport after being released from the UFC last summer.
“Hello everyone: family, fans, friends and haters!!! I’m write this letter today with the most upmost gratitude and appreciation to you and my coaches and team. I’d like to announce my retirement,” Silva wrote.
“Since I [started competing] in MMA and the UFC, I’ve had nothing but positive memories and special moments that I will never forget. Thank you everyone that helped me achieve my goals as a man, athlete and sportsman. I wish nothing but the best to all my coaches, fans, friends, family members.”
At the time of his release the now 40-year-old Silva had lost three fights in a row on the scorecards in the UFC’s welterweight division against James Krause, Court McGee and most recently Nicolas Dalby.
It was a disappointing run of form given that he’d entered the UFC with a 9-1 record and had gone on to win his first five fights in a row inside the Octagon.
Among those wins was a split decision victory over the man who now holds the 170lb title, Leon Edwards in what was ‘Rocky’s’ debut back in 2014, while also beating the likes of Nordine Taleb and Danny Roberts.
Silva retires from the sport with an overall record of 14-4.
