Former UFC and KSW fighter Jay Silva dies at 45

Jay Silva, a veteran of 27 professional MMA bouts who competed twice in the UFC and challenged for middleweight gold in KSW, died on Monday, June 1, 2026, at the age of 45. Fame MMA, the last organisation he fought for, announced his passing via social media. No cause of death was disclosed.

Silva compiled a record of 12-14-1 across a career that began in 2008. His two UFC appearances, in 2009 and 2010, ended in unanimous-decision losses to C.B. Dollaway and Chris Leben respectively. Known by the nickname “Da Spyda Killa”, he went on to compete for Bellator MMA and KSW, where he earned a shot at the middleweight title.

After leaving the UFC, Silva shared the cage with notable names including Hector Lombard, Kendall Grove, Sam Alvey, and strongman-turned-fighter Mariusz Pudzianowski. His final bout came under the Fame MMA banner on April 5, 2025, a unanimous-decision loss to Denis Labryga.

Both Fame MMA and KSW paid tribute to Silva on social media. KSW’s statement read: “The whole KSW Team would like to send condolences to the family and friends of late former KSW fighter and middleweight title challenger, Jay Silva.” Fame MMA described him as someone who brought “a great smile, positive emotions and the professionalism of a true sportsman” to the organisation, adding that he would “forever remain part of the history” of their promotion.

Silva is remembered across the combat sports community as a well-travelled competitor whose career spanned nearly two decades and multiple continents.