Natalia Silva will face the biggest test of career this Saturday night at UFC 324, as the surging flyweight contender takes on former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in a bout that she hopes launches her into a title shot with a win.
“I wanted to get a shot at the title before, but the UFC said that Valentina (Shevchenko) was not going to be able to fight so soon. So they offered Rose’s name and we said yeah,” Silva told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator on Wednesday.
“We accepted it.”
Silva (19-5-1) expects her pace and style to force Namajunas into a reactionary role from the opening bell. She believes she’ll be the one setting the tone and making the adjustments as the fight unfolds.
“Throughout the fight she’s going to have to adapt to the style and when I step into the octagon I will be the one just dealing the cards throughout the fight. She’s going to have to adapt to that,” she said.
“In the name of Jesus yes I’m fighting for this, I’m working for this, and I think that a win against Rose already gives me the credential already to actually fight for the title,” she said.
“The UFC has said that this is an elimination fight. The next one will be for the title.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Natalia Silva above. She faces Rose Namajunas at UFC 324 on Saturday night.
