Jay Silva, a longtime MMA fighter who competed in the UFC, has died at 45. The cause of death has not been released, and his most recent bout came in April 2025 in Poland.
Jay Silva’s death was confirmed on Sunday, and it landed with a brutal kind of timing: less than a week after he turned 45, the fighter who once brought “positive energy” to the cage has been gone.
Polish MMA promotion FAME announced the passing of its fighter on social media. “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of FAME fighter Jay Silva. Through his performances, Jay brought a great smile, positive energy, and the professionalism of a true athlete,” the promotion wrote. “He will forever remain a part of our federation’s history!. We extend our sincerest condolences to Jay’s loved ones, family, and friends. Rest in peace!”.
FAME did not release the cause of death. That silence has left fans and fighters waiting for answers, even as his career story—built on late starts, big opponents, and years of cage fighting—already feels complete in the public record.
Silva’s only two UFC fights came in back-to-back Fight Nights. In 2009 at UFC Fight Night 19 in Cox Convention Center, he faced CB Dollaway and lost by unanimous decision. Then in 2010 at UFC Fight Night 20 in Patriot Center in Fairfax. Virginia. Silva met Chris Leben and again dropped a unanimous decision.
Long before the UFC, his path was shaped by watching the sport itself. He developed a love for MMA after he watched the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2005. It wasn’t until 2007 that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson convinced him to move to California, where Silva began training seriously.
Silva was born in Luanda, Angola, and spent most of his career in cage fighting. He competed in Superior Cage Combat, Bellator, and kickboxing competitions, finishing his run with a record of 12-14-1.
In 2012, he earned the nickname “The Spider Killer” after defeating Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove at Superior Cage Combat 4. And his confidence wasn’t subtle. In 2009, Silva said, “I want to be remembered as the greatest fighter the world has ever seen. I want people to remember me as a beast.”
His opponents reflected how far he traveled. They ranged from Plinio Cruz, the head coach of UFC fighter Alex Pereira, to Mariusz Pudzianowski, a five-time World’s Strongest Man.
Silva’s final recorded fight came recently. His most recent bout was against Denis Labryga at FAME 25 in April 2025 in Częstochowa, Poland, where he lost by unanimous decision.
The void now is immediate: a fighter still active on the European circuit. with no cause of death released. and a last appearance in the sport only months ago. FAME’s message—about his professionalism. his smile. and his place in the federation’s history—now becomes the clearest timeline fans have. as they wait for what comes next.
Jay Silva UFC FAME MMA MMA fighter Luanda Angola CB Dollaway Chris Leben Denis Labryga FAME 25 Superior Cage Combat