Although known primarily for his mastery of Muay Thai striking, Silva is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt, a rank he earned in 2006 from Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira who follows Gracie Lineage through Carlson Gracie, likewise Murilo Bustamante and the Brazilian Top Team. He began martial arts training at the age of 14, training Tae kwon do and earning a black belt by the age of 18.   He is also a black belt in Judo and a yellow rope in Capoeira.

Once a member of the Chute Boxe Academy, Silva left to form the Muay Thai Dream Team. In late November 2006, he joined new team Black House with Lyoto Machida, Vitor Belfort, Assuerio Silva, and the Nogueira brothers. On May 16, 2008 Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira opened the Team Nogueira MMA Academy in Miami, Florida.

Silva initially fought in his native Brazil in the welterweight category. According to Sherdog.com, Silva made his professional debut in 1997 with a pair of wins. Silva recorded his first loss in 2000 to Luiz Azeredo by decision. After that fight, he went on a nine-fight winning streak, winning six of those fights by either submission or TKO. After winning his first match in Japan he was put up against Shooto champion Hayato Sakurai on August 26, 2001. Silva beat Sakurai by unanimous decision after three rounds and became the new Shooto Middleweight Champion (at 167 lb) and the first man to defeat Sakurai who was undefeated in his first 20 fights.

• Shooto
  • Shooto Middleweight Champion

• Cage Rage Championships
  • Last Cage Rage Middleweight Champion

• Ultimate Fighting Championship
  • Current UFC Middleweight Champion
  • Won Fight of the Night (3 times)
  • Won Knockout of the Night (3 times)
  • Won Submission of the Night (2 times)
  • Unified UFC Middleweight and Pride FC Welterweight Championships
  • Most consecutive title defenses (Eight)
  • Most successful title defenses (Eight)
  • Most consecutive wins in the UFC (Thirteen)
  • Longest UFC title reign

• In June 2009, Anderson Silva was nominated for the 2009 ESPYS "Best Fighter" category, along with Lyoto Machida, Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley.^[75] The award was won by Manny Pacquiao.^[76]
• Won Sherdog Beatdown of the Year for 2009 win over Forrest Griffin^[35]
• Won MMA Live Fight of the Year for 2010 win over Chael Sonnen^[77]
• Won World MMA Awards Fight of the Year for 2010 win over Chael Sonnen