New York City — She’s been fighting professionally over for a decade, but Brazilian flyweight Karine Silva has only landed on the radar of many UFC fans since arriving on the big stage via Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021.
Silva enters her biggest fight to date at UFC 309 on Saturday, where she’ll take on the #9-ranked Viviane Araujo. It hasn’t been a swift rise for Silva, however, no matter what some “UFC-only” fans might think.
“I do believe that all the fights and all the stuff that I’ve done throughout my past and my career has given me the baggage that would eventually lead to something like this,” Silva (18-4) told media outlets including Cageside Press during Wednesday’s UFC 309 media day. “But I’m just very happy to be in this amazing stage, very happy, that’s all I can say.”
Silva does agree with the notion that the UFC might see something special in her.
“I think that all this stuff, the numbers show that,” said Silva, “The UFC sees it.” The flyweight added that “I was training in the bathroom for this so I wouldn’t be nervous talking to you guys, but I think it’s amazing to be here, it’s kind of delicious to have this experience. Just enjoying it as much as possible.”
There’s been a notion that the path to the top five for Karine Silva leads through fellow Brazilian Araujo. While that might be, Silva believes the work to move along that path has already been completed.
“I think everything that will be needed to go through her, and we’ll go through that gate, has been done already,” she said. “And I believe on Saturday you’re going to see it happening.”
From there, Karine Silva has her sights set on gold. And retiring as a champion. That’s a feat few have accomplished in the UFC, though names like Georges St-Pierre and Khabib Nurmagomedov come to mind.
“I don’t what time is all about or how long of a time it’s going to take me, but I do believe I’m going to get a shot at the title in the future,” predicted Silva. “And I’m going to get that title, and I’m going to be able to keep it hopefully until my retirement.”
Watch the full UFC 309 media day appearance by Karine Silva above.
