- George Chung
- Sep 7, 2024
- 2 min read
In tonight’s co-main event at UFC Fight Night: Brady vs. Burns, rising Brazilian flyweight sensation Natalia Silva faces her toughest test yet against former UFC champion Jessica Andrade at the UFC Apex. Silva is riding an impressive 11-fight win streak, with her sights set on securing the biggest victory of her career and launching herself into the division’s elite.
At 27 years old, Silva (17-5-1) has been on a tear in the UFC, stacking up four consecutive wins and showcasing her rapidly evolving skillset. Once a struggling prospect, Silva transformed herself into one of the most dangerous and promising fighters in the 125-pound division. Her early career struggles, where she lost five of her first 12 fights, are now a distant memory, having fueled her rise to the top.
"I’ve learned a lot from my losses," Silva told UFC.com ahead of her clash with Andrade. "I always review my fights—win or lose—to see where I can improve, and that has made me a better fighter."
Now training out of Team Borracha alongside UFC middleweight contender Paulo Costa, Silva feels more prepared than ever. Her team’s support has been crucial, and she credits them with helping her sharpen her tools for this pivotal moment.
"This fight opens a new door for me," Silva explained. "Jessica is strong and dangerous, but I’m ready to take advantage of this opportunity."
For Silva, the matchup with Andrade (24-12) represents a chance to break into the flyweight top five, as Andrade’s resume speaks for itself—holding wins over some of the best names in the sport. However, Silva’s confidence is unwavering, and she’s ready to give fans an electrifying performance.
“Get ready for ‘The Danger Natalia,’” Silva said with a grin, promising to give her best in the cage tonight.
Fans can catch this high-stakes bout live on ESPN+, with prelims starting at 4 PM ET and the main card at 7 PM ET. Silva is out to prove that she’s ready for the next level, and a win over Andrade would be her ticket to the flyweight division’s upper echelon.
Don’t blink, because Silva is ready to make a statement.
