LAS VEGAS – Natalia Silva is ready to face UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
Silva’s title hopes were postponed last November when Zhang Weili challenged Shevchenko (26-4-1 MMA, 15-3-1 UFC) at UFC 322. She ultimately suffered from unbalanced decision-making failures.
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Meanwhile, Silva (19-5-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) gets his chance when he replaces Alexa Grasso against former champion Rose Namajunas (14-7 MMA, 12-6 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 324 main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+).
“I’ve wanted to try for the title before, but the UFC said Valentina wouldn’t be able to fight so soon. So they offered Rose’s name and we accepted it,” Silva told MMA Junkie and other reporters through a translator at a UFC 324 pre-fight press conference on Wednesday. “I’m the one who’s done the most to prepare for this.”
The 28-year-old is confident that a win over Namajunas could ultimately give her a title shot.
“Beating against Rose already gives me a real shot at the title,” Silva said. “The UFC said this is a knockout and the next fight will be for the title.”
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Shevchenko’s only setback during her flyweight reign came against Alex Grasso, which she avenged in decisive fashion at UFC 306. She has since defended her belt against Manon Fioro and Wylie. But regardless of Shevchenko’s accolades and recent dominance on the court, Brazil’s Silva says she has the answer.
“Valentina is not going to beat me, I am going to be the champion and beat her,” Silva said. “I work every day in every possible area. Whether it’s striking or grappling, I’m going to beat her and I’m going to be the champion.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Natalia Silva Confident She Can Beat Valentina Shevchenko Anywhere
