The Journey of a Vale Tudo Legend and His Historic Return to India
Paulo “Bananada” Silva’s journey is one of grit, discipline, and global impact. Rising from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Silva earned his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 18 under the legendary Sylvio Behring BJJ Team, marking the beginning of an extraordinary combat sports career.
He entered the world of Mixed Martial Arts through the infamous Rio Heroes Bareknuckle Fights in Rio de Janeiro. His fearless performances soon etched his name into the history books of Vale Tudo, where he came to be recognized as one of its legendary fighters.
Because of his impact on Brazilian combat sports and his inspirational life journey, Paulo Silva was later honored with the rare opportunity to run with the Olympic Torch during the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, a moment that symbolized his rise from the favelas to becoming a global ambassador of martial arts.
One of the defining moments of his career came during an MMA bout where his opponent was cornered by Anderson Silva. Paulo Silva emerged victorious, earning Anderson Silva’s respect and eventually becoming his training partner. Paulo was later part of Anderson Silva’s official training camp during the iconic Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen 2 fight.
Paulo Silva’s journey also took him to the United States, where he trained extensively at Blackhouse MMA, officially representing Blackhouse MMA, X Gym, and Team Nogueira. In 2012, his career reached another milestone when he was selected as a participant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Brazil.
The Beginning of a Powerful India–Brazil Connection
During this phase, Sensei Mayur Bansode, President of the MMAFI Mixed Martial Arts Federation, India visited Brazil. Paulo Silva personally supported Sensei Mayur by facilitating his training at X Gym, Rio de Janeiro, while also assisting with accommodation and daily needs. This visit laid the foundation for a lifelong friendship and a shared vision for developing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA in India.
In 2016, Sensei Mayur Bansode invited Paulo Silva to India for the first time. The first Paulo Silva India Tour was organized successfully, with seminars conducted across Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Delhi. From 2016 to 2019, Paulo Silva continued visiting India regularly, contributing immensely to the growth of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA across the country.
Paulo “Bananada” Silva India Tour 2025 – A Historic Milestone
The global COVID-19 pandemic paused this journey for nearly five years. In 2025, Sensei Mayur Bansode invited Paulo Silva back to India as Guest of Honor for the MMAFI International Combat Sports Festival 2025.
During this landmark visit, Paulo “Bananada” Silva BJJ Academy and the MMAFI Mixed Martial Arts Federation, India officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu development in India.
Under this historic collaboration:
MMAFI secured exclusive rights for BJJ Gradation under PBS BJJ Academy
BJJ seminars were conducted in Mumbai, Thane, Silchar (Assam), Darjeeling, and Kolkata
Official BJJ Gradation was conducted at MMAFI Headquarters
Paulo “Bananada” Silva is a registered IBJJF Black Belt under the Sylvio Behring Academy, bringing unmatched authenticity and global recognition to this collaboration.
Seminar in Mumbai
Silchar- Assam
Kolkata
Vision for the Future of Indian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Speaking on the collaboration, Sensei Mayur Bansode, President of MMAFI, stated:
“In the future, we aim to create India’s first IBJJF-registered Black Belt. We have already planned Paulo Silva’s India tours for 2026 and 2027. This collaboration will help Indian athletes connect with authentic world federations such as the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).”
A New Era for MMA and BJJ in India
The Paulo “Bananada” Silva India Tour 2025 marks a defining chapter in the evolution of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts in India. With structured gradation, international recognition, and continued mentorship, this collaboration promises to elevate Indian combat sports athletes to the global stage.
