This Month’s MMA Birthdays: Anderson Silva Turns 50

Jake Paul def. Anderson Silva via Unanimous Decision (77-74, 78-73, 78-73)Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images

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Gaze out across the vast expanse of mixed martial history, and not many prizefighters inspire reverence like Anderson Silva. The former Shooto, Cage Rage and Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder celebrates his 50th birthday on April 14.

Silva experienced an extraordinary peak after arriving in the UFC. He debuted with a breathtaking 49-second knockout of Chris Leben on June 28, 2006, then captured the undisputed middleweight crown with a torturous stoppage of Rich Franklin at UFC 64 a little less than four months later. Silva held the 185-pound title for 2,457…