Report: UFC Veteran Assuerio Silva in Serious Condition After Shooting in Brazil

Silva, 38, was allegedly shot five times by a former associate, whom Silva reportedly identified as Robson Freitas. The Brazilian was reportedly taken to a local hospital and remains in serious condition.

The heavyweight made his MMA debut in 1997 and won eight of his first 10 fights, joining Japan’s Pride Fighting Championships in 2001. The former Chute Boxe standout then made his Octagon foray in 2006 at UFC Fight Night 3, falling to former champion Tim Sylvia via unanimous decision. Silva competed twice more in the UFC and recorded two more losses, submitting to a Brandon Vera guillotine choke at UFC 60 before dropping a majority decision to Cheick Kongo at UFC 70.

Silva last fought in 2009, when he suffered a 61-second technical knockout defeat to Geronimo dos Santos at Jungle Fight 16. The Brazilian earned notable victories over Igor Pokrajac, Alessio Sakara and Valentijn Overeem and stopped 13 of his 15 career victims by either knockout or submission during his 12 years as a pro.