Natalia Silva is currently on an impressive 12-fight winning streak dating back to 2018, with half of those victories secured under the bright lights of the UFC octagon. She feels a potential title shot could be within reach if she successfully defeats former flyweight champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315 in Montreal, Canada, set for May 10.
Having emerged as one of the most exciting prospects on the UFC roster following notable wins over fighters like Jessica Andrade and Jasmine Jasudavicius, Silva believes a win over Grasso could position her to challenge the winner of the UFC 315 co-main event between reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko and top contender Manon Fiorot.
Silva shared her perspective on the upcoming title fight, viewing Fiorot as potentially the “most difficult” challenge for Shevchenko in the division, though she still anticipates “Bullet” will hold the edge at UFC 315. Silva envisions a scenario where she is next in line for a title opportunity after Saturday`s event.
Discussing the possibility of a title shot, Silva stated, “It could happen, but it`s not something I`m thinking about right now because my focus needs to be entirely on Alexa. How can I think about what`s next if I haven`t even fought Alexa yet? You know? One step at a time. After I fight Alexa and I win – in the name of Jesus, amen – then we can think about something else. But honestly, that`s not the priority at the moment. Alexa Grasso is the focus. That`s the challenge I must overcome now.”
Following her most recent bout in September, where she defeated former strawweight champion Jessica Andrade in Las Vegas – a performance that earned a $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus – Silva signed a new contract with the UFC. She expressed being “very happy” with her new deal, recognizing it as a significant step closer to achieving her ultimate goal in the sport.
Regarding her championship aspirations, Silva commented, “I`ve been thinking about that ever since I joined the UFC. I`ve always stated that I`m in the UFC to become champion, and that hasn`t changed. I still have that focus, that goal of becoming champion. I feel ready for it, but first, I need to take this step to get closer to that dream. I`ve always felt prepared, but it`s about taking it one step at a time.”
The transition from the smaller UFC APEX venue to Montreal`s larger Centre Bell arena means adapting to a bigger audience and the standard-sized octagon. Silva believes this change will actually benefit her fighting style. She also highlighted the strategic value gained from studying Grasso`s extensive cage time against Valentina Shevchenko – nearly 70 minutes across two fights in 18 months – providing her with valuable insights.
Silva elaborated on her preparation, stating, “There`s a lot of material to study. We`ve observed what she does well and areas where she might not be as strong, and we`ll focus on that. At such a high level, competing against so many skilled and experienced fighters, the fighter who makes fewer mistakes and capitalizes on opportunities will win. That`s the objective. When she makes a mistake, I plan to take advantage of it – while also trying to minimize my own errors. I believe that`s the key to victory.”
