Natalia Silva ready for UFC title shot after beating Jessica Andrade: 'Send that belt over'

LAS VEGAS – Natalia Silva thinks she proved herself worthy of the next level in her division at UFC Fight Night 242.

Silva (18-5-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) remained unbeaten inside the octagon Saturday with a unanimous decision victory over former UFC champ Jessica Andrade (26-13 MMA, 17-11 UFC) in a women’s flyweight bout at the UFC Apex. It was a strong striking display from Silva, especially because she entered with a heavy heart after the death of her sister four months ago.

Andrade’s pressure for all 15 minutes was trademark to her style, but Silva had all the answers and got the clear-cut decision.

“Nothing that Jessica did in the octagon impressed me,” Silva told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter post-fight at UFC Fight Night 242. “I think our team put out a good strategy to prepare. We did everything that she did in the fight. Nothing that she did surprised me because we were able to do what she does.”

With the relief of a successful performance, Silva explained why she opted to go through with the fight despite such difficult personal circumstances.

“When I accepted this fight, it was a leap of faith,” Silva said. “I didn’t know what was going to happen, and the reason I accepted this fight was to prove the Lord is with me in very good times but is also my Lord in very bad times. There were times where I woke up in the morning to train, and I said, ‘It hurts do this fight, but come with me and train with me and let’s get through this.’ If I’m here today, it’s because of God, Jesus, and I hope to see that too.”

Silva, 27, is now tied for the second-longest active winning streak in the women’s 125-pound division behind Manon Fiorot. Her win comes just days before Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko will have a trilogy bout for the title at UFC 306, marking a significant time for the weight class.

It remains to be seen where matchmakers place Silva among the division’s best going forward, but she expressed hope there is a fight of major consequence on the horizon.

“If the UFC comes to me and says, ‘Do you want? Are you ready to fight for a belt at the end of the year?’ I will be ready,” Silva said. “I trained to be a champion. I came here to be a champion. If you give me the opportunity to get that belt, just send that belt over.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 242.