UFC featherweight Danny Silva has received treatment for a pulmonary embolism.
However, the 29-year-old doesn’t know what his MMA future now looks like after the unexpected medical scare, which happens when a blood clot travels to your lungs.
Silva, who knocked out Briton Kurtis Campbell last time out at UFC London in March, was told ’50 per cent of people don’t make it’ when he spent three nights in hospital having discovered swelling on his neck and pec.
He had been training and sparring like usual at Bloodline Combat Sports in California and was recommended by a doctor friend to seek medical attention to make sure he wasn’t having a heart attack.
The American was soon diagnosed with multiple blood clots after nine hours of tests and scans.
Silva said the fact he was training regularly while ‘pushing myself’ could have saved his life.
Due to the costs of treatment, doctor visits and support while not being able to fight, a GoFundMe page has since been set up for Silva.
Uros Medic, who scored a first-round KO in the main event of the UFC’s debut event in Serbia last weekend, is the top donor at the time of writing.
Silva explained the entire situation through an Instagram post on Monday.
Silva: This news has changed my life
“Could this have been my last dance? I don’t know,” Silva said.
“Two weeks ago I thought I had a rib out. I pushed through like every fighter does. Friday I sparred, did my sprints, and my team thought I looked good.
“I didn’t want to make excuses, but I mentioned that my left arm was hurting and my rib was hurting. My team helped with cupping and scraping.
6
6
6
“That same night I went for a run at 8pm. I did three miles. On the third mile, my body was shutting down. I pushed because I won’t quit on myself, and three miles should be nothing.
“I got home, and there was swelling on the left side of my neck and pec. A good doctor friend of mine recommended I go to the ER to make sure I wasn’t having a heart attack.
“After nine hours in the ER, doing EKGs and CT scans, they came back with some bad news. I had multiple blood clots.
“They found a massive thrombosis in a vein in my neck, and part of the clot had broken off and travelled to my lung, causing a pulmonary embolism.
“This news has changed my life. Spending three nights in the hospital was awful.”
Silva added that his good shape played a factor in his survival.
6
6
“They told me 50 per cent of people don’t make it,” he continued.
“The fact that I was training, sparring, and pushing myself may have saved my life.
“But right now there’s still so much I don’t know. I’m finally out of the hospital, but I have to be on medication for a couple of months.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve had a setback. My worst enemy has always been me. My mind is strong. It sucks when something out of your control tries to take you away from your dream.
“I won’t give up. I’d rather die trying, as bad as that sounds, especially because I was close to dying.”
Silva punched his ticket to the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series in September 2023.
UFC Schedule
There are still several blockbuster shows and exciting contests for fight fans to look forward to in 2026, and you can find the full list of all confirmed events and official bouts as part of talkSPORT.com’s UFC schedule.
The UFC, on average, puts on 13 to 14 premium events in a calendar year, with up to 30 smaller ‘Fight Night’ cards allowing prospects and less experienced fighters to showcase their talents.
On January 1, 2026, Dana White’s promotion signed a seven-year broadcast deal with CBS and Paramount+ for exclusive rights in the US, meaning the UFC has put on shows like never before this year.
With the historic first event in the new Paramount era, UFC 324, delivering huge success, and a one-of-a-kind fight card at the White House in June opening up the UFC to a new audience, the promotion remains a premium global sports brand, and fans are eager to keep track of results and upcoming fights.
He won his debut six months later in Las Vegas and made it 2-0 in the UFC in March 2025.
Before he stopped Campbell, Silva tasted defeat for the first time in the UFC to current No. 10-ranked featherweight Kevin Vallejos.
‘El Puma’ boasts a professional record of 11-2, having found his feet under the LFA banner before joining the big leagues.
