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 in opposition to the reigning UFC ladies’s flyweight queen after incomes a unanimous choice victory over former champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315 in Might 2025.
Nonetheless, 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 Area in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Curiously, Namajunas just lately revealed that she has been advised her combat 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 for a title conflict with flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko if she will get previous Rose Namajunas on Saturday evening. The No. 2 contender spoke with quiet confidence, saying she believes her talent set is sharper, and that she will match Shevchenko’s depth wherever the combat goes.
“Valentina undoubtedly shouldn’t be going to beat me in any space,” Natalia Silva stated. “I practice daily to be a champion, and it doesn’t matter if the combat is on the ft or on the bottom, I’m able to beat her. I work daily in each space potential. If it’s hanging, I’m going to beat her. If it’s any form of grappling, I’m going to beat her, and I’m going to be champion. Within the identify of Jesus, sure, I’m coaching for that, and I imagine {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 a substitute selected to defend her title in opposition to 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 accessible to combat now and that they wanted me to take one other combat. They supplied Rose’s identify and we accepted. I imagine that if Zhang Weili hadn’t fought Valentina, I might have already got fought for the belt. For all the pieces I’ve performed within the group, I believe the one who was most prepared for this chance was me. I imagine that, sure. And a win over Rose already credentials me for a title shot. The UFC advised me this combat 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 file, highlighted by dominant victories over Viviane Araujo, Jasmine Jasudavicius, and Jessica Andrade.
