LAS VEGAS – For Natalia Silva, it doesn’t matter who she fights next, as there’s only one thing she has her eyes on: The UFC championship belt.
The Brazilian women’s flyweight continued her impressive streak Saturday and improved her run to 11-0 since her most recent defeat, which dates back to 2017. Silva (18-5-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) defeated longtime UFC fighter Viviane Araujo (12-7 MMA, 6-6 UFC) with a unanimous decision on the main card of UFC Fight Night 235.
Although she was in a prime position to make a callout, Silva wanted to part in asking for a name and said she’s only focused on the title.
“I don’t know about the next opponent because all the time I’ve said I’m here to be the champion,” Silva said at the UFC Fight Night 235 post-fight press conference. “I’m working for this, and I’m here to fight whoever the UFC gives. I’ll fight and win because I have one focus on my life: I want to be the champion. I’m working all day for this, and I will be the champion soon. You can mark my words. I’m working for this.”
Although Silva has no one in mind, she does have a preference on where she wants to fight. Silva has no issue fighting at the UFC Apex, but she would like to fight in front of a crowd, especially if it’s in her home country.
“So when I’m fighting, it doesn’t matter the place because all the time I’m here in the cage in my mind I’m thinking that this is my gym,” Silva said. “In the cage or gym, I’m relaxed because every day I train in there, but I prefer to fight again with my fans watching me. I want to fight in Brazil or another event with people because the energy is so good.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 235.