After securing a high-profile victory at UFC 314 against Bryce Mitchell, Jean Silva has captured the attention of many UFC fans with his impressive performances and eccentric personality. With his first submission win in the books, he now boasts a perfect record of five wins and no losses in the promotion. His defeat of Mitchell, who had previously made controversial remarks praising Adolf Hitler, only added to his popularity among fans.
However, recent events have caused some fans to reconsider their support for Silva. The rising UFC featherweight has come under fire for posting a vlog that featured footage of him choking a fan unconscious at a Muay Thai event in Brazil. The incident occurred when Silva, currently ranked no. 11 in the UFC’s featherweight division, was interacting with fans. At the request of a fan, Silva demonstrated a chokehold by applying a rear-naked choke until the fan passed out, despite the fan tapping repeatedly. The video of the incident was shared on social media and quickly went viral, drawing widespread criticism.
While some defended the act as harmless fun, many condemned Silva’s actions as reckless and irresponsible. Critics pointed out that applying a fight-ending submission on an untrained spectator, especially after they had tapped out, goes against basic safety protocols and consent in combat sports.
Despite the backlash, Silva’s supporters argued that the fan appeared unharmed and even laughed after regaining consciousness. However, this incident has shifted the focus from Silva’s dominant performances to his judgment outside of the cage. While it remains to be seen if the UFC or CEO Dana White will take any formal action, Silva’s reputation may suffer as a result of this controversial incident.