Valmir “Junior” Da Silva

Growing up in Manaus, Brazil, Valmir da Silva faced many hardships. Fortunately, he could always rely on his older brother for support and guidance. Though Da Silva’s biological father was absent from his life, his eldest brother did his best to provide for the family despite their financial struggles. When he was 14 years old, his brother introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, setting him on the path to success.

At the age of 18, “Junior” decided to take his martial arts skills to the next level by incorporating Muay Thai into his training. His decision paid off in 2017 when he made his professional debut and earned a knockout win. His success is attributed to his formidable striking and grappling abilities.

The Blacks MMA athlete’s first battle in the ONE Circle was a daunting challenge against former ONE Welterweight World Champion Zebaztian Kadestam. Although Da Silva was unsuccessful in this matchup, he made a triumphant return a few months later at ONE 159: De Ridder vs. Bigdash, where he secured a second-round submission victory over Jin Tae Ho.