In the world of UFC, standing out among the countless fighters often comes down to one’s fighting style. However, there is another factor that can set a fighter apart: the tattoos they choose to ink on their bodies. While many fighters choose tattoos that symbolize loyalty to their gym or tell a personal story, UFC lightweight-featherweight fighter Jean Silva takes a different approach—his tattoos fuel his alter ego.
With a career record of 14 victories and only 2 defeats, Jean Silva proves to be a formidable force once the cage door locks. This success can be attributed to the alter ego that takes over him the moment he steps into the Octagon. Silva’s body is adorned with tattoos that chronicle his life, but one piece of ink stands out as particularly intriguing: the Agent 47 tattoo.
On August 10, 2024, Silva, a fighter with Fighting Nerds, showcased the latest addition to his growing tattoo collection on social media. He posted both a photo and a YouTube video of the new design. The video, which was entirely in Portuguese, revealed that the tattoo is inspired by the iconic video game character, Agent 47.
Like Agent 47, Jean Silva has a barcode tattooed on the back of his head. The tattoo design also features vein-like patterns or lightning strikes, which add to its striking appearance. From the perspective of Agent 47, the barcode has a specific significance: it allows the character to access restricted areas in the facility where he was cloned and trained. In the video game, the barcode can be scanned as a standard barcode would.
Digging deeper into the symbolism of barcode tattoos, veteran tattoo artists suggest that those who choose this specific ink may be expressing a critique of consumerism. The barcode is seen as a rejection of being reduced to a product of society, labeled, and sold by the system. With this in mind, Silva’s tattoo takes on additional meaning beyond its connection to Agent 47.
Beyond the ‘Agent 47 Barcode’ tattoo, Silva has other distinctive tattoos that set him apart from other fighters. One of the most notable is a large ‘LORD’ tattoo on his belly. This tattoo reflects his moniker ‘Lord’ or ‘Lore of Assassins,’ which ties directly to his alter ego. This alter ego is a driving force behind his push for success in the cage.
Silva’s left hand is also covered in tattoos that reflect his Christian faith, including a large image of an angel holding a cross. Additionally, a prominent lock adorns his left pectoral muscle. On his right biceps, he has a tattoo reading ‘Familia,’ emphasizing the importance of family in his life.
As his alter ego continues to motivate him, Silva is preparing to return to the Octagon for a showdown against Melsik Baghdasaryan at UFC Fight Night: Henry Cejudo vs. Song Yadong.
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