Reports emerge that matchmaker Joe Silva is set to part ways with the UFC

One of the most familiar faces in the UFC is about to end his association with the organisation.

Rumours circulated on Wednesday that Joe Silva, long-time UFC matchmaker, will leave his post at the end of the year. Silva currently works alongside Sean Shelby in booking all fights for the promotion and was something of a stalwart for the company, often the first man into the Octagon to shake the hand of a fight winner. https://twitter.com/TalkMMA/status/771010560339091456 https://twitter.com/MikeBohnMMA/status/771013071997243392 Silva's exit will likely cause shockwaves through the UFC as it was he who had booked some of the most legendary fights of all time. Changes were always expected under the new ownership regime of WME-IMG, who acquired majority ownership of the UFC after Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta sold their stakes last month. Bleacher Report's Jonathan Snowden tweeted his theory behind Silva's departure, suggesting that the recent matchmaking model pushed forward by the promotion went against what Silva stood for. https://twitter.com/JESnowden/status/771014308268498945 Eagle-eyed viewers believed that they'd witnessed an angry exchange between Silva and new UFC CEO Ari Emanuel during the UFC 202 weigh-ins, as Cody Garbrandt and Takyea Mizugaki took to the scales, but that's pure speculation at this stage. https://youtu.be/OOVj1Zkj55M?t=13m55s With the exit of "babysitter to the stars" Burt Watson last year, fans will have to get used to the loss of another recognisable face from behind the scenes of the promotion. The new GAA Hour football podcast is here. Listen to Colm Parkinson, Senan Connell, and Barry Cahill dissect a classic between Dublin and Kerry. Subscribe here on iTunes.