Natalia Silva Reaches for the Sky

Natalia Silva could be on the cusp of becoming something truly special in the Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight division.

The fast-rising Brazilian will attempt to creep closer to title contention at 125 pounds when she meets former champion Alexa Grasso in a featured UFC 315 attraction this Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Silva plans to push her skills to the limit when she confronts her most significant test to date.

“I always find ways to improve, day after day,” she told Sherdog.com. “Now, I have the greatest challenge of my career. I’m happy and excited. I know it will be a difficult fight, but I’m ready for this moment.”

Grasso enters the cage with wins in five of her past seven bouts. The Lobo Gym star last competed at UFC 306, where she faced Valentina Shevchenko for a third time and surrendered the undisputed women’s flyweight crown in a five-round unanimous decision defeat on Sept. 14. It was Grasso’s first loss in almost five years.

“I see her as being a strong fighter,” Silva said. “She’s good at what she does. She’s a good grappler and boxer. She’s a very experienced and intelligent fighter. I can’t say how I’ll win. It depends on how the fight plays out. Whether it’s by knockout, submission or decision, the important thing is that I have my hand raised at the end. I’ll take any advantage I see during the fight. Victories are created during fights.”

Silva operates out of the Team Borracha academy in Contagem, Brazil, where coaches Carlos Costa, Rames Luiz and Heider Moura have been entrusted with overseeing her development.

“I have a wonderful team,” she said. “The results speak for themselves.”

A former Jungle Fight champion, Silva has rattled off 12 consecutive victories in her march toward the top of the division. She last saw action at UFC Fight Night 242, where she improved to a perfect 6-0 inside the Octagon with a three-round unanimous decision over Jessica Andrade on Sept. 7. Silva now has Grasso in her crosshairs.

“My primary goal is to beat Alexa,” she said. “This fight is very important for my career. I try to keep my future plans close to my vest, but I do wish to become a well-recognized name and write my history in the UFC. I want people to learn about my past and understand the difficulties I’ve overcome. I hope they can be motivated in knowing that a simple girl like me from a humble place can reach great objectives. It can be done.”