Born in Anaheim, Siler moved to Utah from a young age alongside his father Michael Siler Sr., mother Cathy Siler, brother Michael Siler Jr and sister Tara Siler. Siler was unable to compete in wrestling during high school due to poor grades, but made the move to MMA after graduating.[3]
Mixed martial arts career
Siler had a nine-fight winning streak with wins over Bellator veterans, Travis Marx and Nick Mamalis. Siler then accepted a bout with future UFC featherweight title challenger, Chad Mendes, at Tachi Palace Fights: Best of Both Worlds. Siler lost the fight inside the first minute of round one via KO.
Siler returned Throwdown MMA, claiming the featherweight title after beating Enoch Wilson. Siler won three more fights after winning the Throwdown title before challenging Cole Escovedo at Showdown Fights: New Blood. Siler lost the fight via submission (triangle choke) in the first round.
The Ultimate Fighter
In 2011, Siler signed to compete on The Ultimate Fighter: Team Bisping vs. Team Miller.[2] In the first episode, Siler gained entry into the house after defeating Micah Miller via submission at 0:53 of the third round.[4] Siler was picked to be part of Team Miller.[5] In the sixth episode, he did not make the semi-finals, as he lost to Diego Brandao via KO due to a flying knee 30 seconds into the first round.[6]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Despite being eliminated from the TUF season, Siler was signed to a contract with the UFC. Siler was originally scheduled to fight Akira Corassani on December 3, 2011, at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale. However, Corassani was forced out with an injury and replaced by Josh Clopton. Siler defeated Clopton via unanimous decision.[7]
Siler next faced Cole Miller at UFC on FX 2 on March 2, 2012.[8] Siler won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28).[9]
Siler was expected to face Jimy Hettes at UFC on FX 4.[10] However, Hettes was forced out of the bout with an injury and Siler instead faced UFC newcomer Joey Gambino.[11] He won the fight via submission in the first round.[12]
Siler was again expected to face Jimy Hettes on April 27, 2013, at UFC 159.[14] However, Hettes was once again forced out of the bout with an injury and replaced by Kurt Holobaugh.[15] Siler won the back-and-forth bout via unanimous decision.[16]
Siler faced Rony Jason on March 23, 2014, at UFC Fight Night 38.[21] He lost the fight via a controversial TKO stoppage in the first round. Siler was initially dropped by two punches from Jason. Siler, having his back on the mat, immediately throw an up-kick as soon as Rony proceeded to walk toward him. At the very same time the referee stepped in to stop the fight as a conscious Siler was attempting to defend himself.[22]
Siler faced Noad Lahat on July 26, 2014, at UFC on Fox 12.[23] He lost the fight via unanimous decision, and was subsequently released from the promotions shortly after.[24]
Titan Fighting Championship
In October 2014, it was announced that Siler had signed a contract with Titan Fighting Championship.[25] After Desmond Green knocked out Miguel Torres, it was announced that Siler would face Green for the vacant Featherweight championship.[26] The fight took place at Titan FC 32 on December 19, 2014 and Siler lost via unanimous decision.[27]
Professional Fighters League
After fighting in the WSOF, Siler faced Lance Palmer at what was the inaugural event of rebranded organization now known as Professional Fighters League on November 2, 2017. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[28]
2018 season
On April 16, 2018, news surfaced that Siler was set to participate in the inaugural season of Professional Fighters League's featherweight tournament.[29] Simultaneously it was announced that Siler would be facing Magomed Idrisov at PFL 1 on June 7, 2018.[29] After being knocked down, Siler won the fight via first-round submission.[30]
Siler then faced Alexandre Almeida at PFL 4 on July 19, 2018. He won the fight via first-minute submission and advanced to playoffs.[31]
In the quarterfinal, Siler faced Nazareno Malegarie at PFL 8 on October 5, 2018.[32] The bout resulted in a majority draw and Siler advanced to the semifinal via first-round tiebreaker. In the semifinals he faced Alexandre Almeida again, this time winning via disqualification after an illegal upkick performed by Almeida.[33]
In the season final Siler faced Lance Palmer in a rematch at PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[34]
2019 season
On March 5, 2019, it was announced that Siler would be returning to participate in the sophomore season of PFL.[35] He made his first appearance of the season against Gadzhi Rabadanov at PFL 2 on May 23, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.[36]
He then faced Jeremy Kennedy at PFL 5 on July 25, 2019. He lost the fight via unanimous decision and was eliminated from the tournament.[37]
Post-PFL career
After two seasons in the PFL, Siler challenged Bobby King for the Fierce FC Lightweight Championship on February 27, 2021.[38] He lost the fight via fourth-round submission.
Siler faced Will Brooks on July 30, 2021 at XMMA 2. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[39]
After defeating Carson Hardman at Fierce FC 16 on August 28, 2021 via first-round submission and then losing to Zach Zane at Fierce FC 17 on October 29, 2021 via seven-second knockout. Siler next faced Jakob Scheffel at Showtime FC 1 on February 11, 2022, where he lost the fight via unanimous decision.[40]
Siler would return in April 2022, losing to Tsogookhuu Amarsanaa via unanimous decision, before losing once again against Micah Miller via second round triangle armbar on December 2, 2022 at iKON FC 6.[41]
