Natalia Silva says she holds the skill-wise edge over Valentina Shevchenko.
Silva had already seemed to be subsequent in line for a title shot towards the reigning UFC ladies’s flyweight queen after incomes a unanimous choice victory over former champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315 in Might 2025.
Nevertheless, earlier than she may safe a shot at Shevchenko, the 28-year-old Brazilian was handed a short-notice alternative to exchange Grasso and face Rose Namajunas on the UFC 324 most important card this Saturday at T-Cell Enviornment in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Curiously, Namajunas not too long ago revealed that she has been advised her struggle with Silva will determine the subsequent No. 1 contender for “Bullet’s” 125-pound title.
Natalia Silva Believes She’s Prepared For Valentina Shevchenko
Throughout UFC 324 media day, Natalia Silva addressed the potential of a title conflict with flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko if she will get previous Rose Namajunas on Saturday night time. The No. 2 contender spoke with quiet confidence, saying she believes her ability set is sharper, and that she will be able to match Shevchenko’s depth wherever the struggle goes.
“Valentina positively just isn’t going to beat me in any space,” Natalia Silva stated. “I prepare day-after-day to be a champion, and it doesn’t matter if the struggle is on the ft or on the bottom, I’m able to beat her. I work day-after-day in each space potential. If it’s putting, I’m going to beat her. If it’s any type of grappling, I’m going to beat her, and I’m going to be champion. Within the title of Jesus, sure, I’m coaching for that, and I consider {that a} victory over Rose already places a belt on this desk inside the subsequent 12 months.”
Silva added that she felt able to face Shevchenko after her final victory, however “Bullet” as an alternative selected to defend her title towards former strawweight champion Zhang Weili at UFC 322 in November.
“I wished to have fought for the title already, however the UFC stated Valentina wouldn’t be out there to struggle now and that they wanted me to take one other struggle. They supplied Rose’s title and we accepted. I consider that if Zhang Weili hadn’t fought Valentina, I might have already got fought for the belt. For every part I’ve completed within the group, I feel the one that was most prepared for this chance was me. I consider that, sure. And a win over Rose already credentials me for a title shot. The UFC advised me this struggle is an eliminator and that the subsequent one shall be for the title.”
Natalia Silva stays unbeaten within the UFC at 7-0 and owns a 19-5-1 skilled report, highlighted by dominant victories over Viviane Araujo, Jasmine Jasudavicius, and Jessica Andrade.
