Silva lost his UFC middleweight title and his unbeaten streak in the UFC to Weidman by knockout in the second round of UFC 162. The fight is considered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Silva also suffered a horrific leg injury in the rematch at UFC 168, breaking his tibia and fibula when Weidman checked his leg kick.
Silva faced Sonnen twice in his title reign, and both fights were highly anticipated and controversial. In the first fight at UFC 117, Silva was dominated by Sonnen's wrestling and ground-and-pound for four and a half rounds, but pulled off a miraculous triangle armbar submission in the final minutes to retain his belt. In the second fight at UFC 148, Silva defeated Sonnen by TKO in the second round, but not before Sonnen landed a spinning back fist that missed and caused him to slip, allowing Silva to capitalize with a knee to the chest and punches.
Silva defended his title against fellow Brazilian and former UFC champion Belfort at UFC 126. Silva scored one of the most spectacular knockouts in UFC history, landing a front kick to Belfort's face that sent him crashing to the mat in the first round.
Silva won the UFC middleweight title from Franklin at UFC 64, dominating him with his Muay Thai clinch and knees, and finishing him by TKO in the first round. Silva also defeated Franklin in a rematch at UFC 77, using the same strategy and winning by TKO in the second round.
Silva moved up to the light heavyweight division and faced former UFC champion Griffin at UFC 101. Silva put on a masterful display of striking, evading Griffin's attacks and landing precise counterpunches. Silva knocked down Griffin three times in the first round, the last one being a jab that made Griffin roll over and quit. Silva won by TKO and earned the Fight of the Night and Knockout of the Night bonuses.