Have you ever wondered about the French powerhouse who made waves in the UFC heavyweight division? Cyril “Silverback” Asker brought a unique mix of grappling and power to the octagon.
Although he hasn’t fought recently, fans still search for details about his life and career earnings. He transitioned from a police officer to a professional fighter, which is quite a story.
Cyril Asker’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cyril Asker |
| Nickname | Silverback |
| Date of Birth | December 24, 1985 |
| Age | 40 |
| Nationality | French |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 244 lbs (111 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2012 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $100,000 – $200,000 |
| Career Earnings | ~$100,000 (Estimated) |
| Profession | MMA Fighter (Inactive), Former Police Officer |
| Team/Gym | Bushido Academie |
| Wife/Partner | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @silverbackasker |
| Twitter Profile | N/A |
Early Career
Cyril Asker did start his journey as a professional athlete. He actually served as a police officer in France before he committed fully to mixed martial arts.
This background gave him a strong sense of discipline and toughness that he carried into the cage. He began his training at the Bushido Academie in Avignon, where he honed his skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and striking.
He made his professional debut in March 2012. He fought across various promotions in Europe and Africa, including Cage Warriors and EFC Worldwide. His success in the South African promotion, EFC, really put him on the map.
He defeated Andrew van Zyl in October 2015 to win the EFC Heavyweight Championship. This major victory proved he was ready for top-tier competition and eventually led to his signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Professional Career
Asker entered the UFC in 2016 with a lot of promise. His debut came against Jared Cannonier in Croatia, where he faced a tough knockout loss. However, he bounced back strong in his next fight.
He secured a dominant TKO victory over Dmitry Smolyakov in the first round. This win showed his ability to finish fights quickly and use his ground-and-pound effectively.
His run in the UFC had ups and downs. He secured another impressive submission win against Hu Yaozong in China, showcasing his grappling skills. Unfortunately, he also faced setbacks against hard hitters like Walt Harris and Tai Tuivasa.
His fight with Tuivasa at UFC 221 was his last appearance in the octagon. Since then, he has stepped away from major competition, but his tenure remains a significant chapter in French MMA history.
Cyril Asker’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Cyril Asker has an estimated net worth between $100,000 and $200,000. This wealth comes primarily from his fight purses during his time in the UFC and EFC, as well as his previous work.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Result | Estimated Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tai Tuivasa | UFC 221 | Loss | $15,500 ($12k show + $3.5k bonus) |
| Hu Yaozong | UFC Fight Night 122 | Win | $26,500 ($12k show + $12k win + $2.5k bonus) |
| Walt Harris | UFC Fight Night 111 | Loss | $14,500 ($12k show + $2.5k bonus) |
| Dmitry Smolyakov | UFC Fight Night 103 | Win | $22,500 ($10k show + $10k win + $2.5k bonus) |
| Jared Cannonier | UFC Fight Night 86 | Loss | $12,500 ($10k show + $2.5k bonus) |
Career Earnings
| Year | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $12,500 |
| 2017 | $63,500 |
| 2018 | $15,500 |
| Total (UFC) | ~$91,500 |
Endorsements
During his UFC career, Asker received sponsorship money through the official Reebok outfitting policy. This earned him roughly $2,500 to $3,500 per fight depending on his tenure.
Aside from this, he likely had support from local French gyms and nutrition brands, though these deals were not publicly disclosed with specific dollar amounts.
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Record | 9-4-0 (Total), 2-3 (UFC) |
| Striking Accuracy | 39% |
| Grappling Accuracy | 33% |
| Wins by KO/TKO | 4 |
| Wins by Submission | 3 |
| Average Fight Time | 2:56 |
| Stance | Orthodox |
FAQs
1. What is Cyril Asker’s nickname in MMA?
Fans and commentators know him by the nickname “Silverback,” which references his immense physical strength and grappling dominance inside the cage. He adopted this moniker early in his professional fighting career to represent his style.
2. Did Asker win any championships before the UFC?
Before joining the UFC roster, he successfully captured the EFC Worldwide Heavyweight Championship by defeating Andrew van Zyl. This major victory in South Africa highlighted his potential and paved the way for his octagon debut.
3. Who did Asker face in his final UFC bout?
The French heavyweight last competed against Tai Tuivasa at UFC 221 in Perth, Australia. He suffered a first-round TKO loss in that bout, which marked his final appearance inside the octagon before his release.
4. What fighting style does he primarily use?
He primarily relies on a grappling-heavy approach, utilizing his judo and wrestling background to take opponents down. Once on the mat, he uses heavy top pressure and ground-and-pound strikes to control and finish fights.
5. How tall is the heavyweight fighter?
He stands at 6 feet 0 inches tall, which is relatively short for the modern heavyweight division. Despite the height disadvantage, he often used his lower center of gravity to execute takedowns effectively against taller opponents.
