Anderson Silva scores 49-second KO in UFC debut on June 28, 2006

On June 28, 2006, Anderson Silva made a significant impact in his UFC debut, knocking out Chris Leben in just 49 seconds. The match took place in Las Vegas and was set up as a title eliminator. Silva's victory marked the beginning of a dominant career, eventually leading to him becoming the UFC middleweight champion. He held the title for a record 2,457 consecutive days, with 10 successful defenses. Silva was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2023, and his post-UFC career includes notable bouts in boxing and a split decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in 2021.

• 1:35 AMYahoo Sports — This Date in MMA History: Anderson Silva has 49-second KO in UFC debut