# Natália Silva (fighter)

Natália Miranda Cristina da Silva (born February 3, 1997) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of November 5, 2024, she is #5 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings and as of February 11, 2025, she is #13 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.

## Background

Natália Silva was born in Pingo-d'Água, a small town near Ipatinga, Brazil, and started her journey in martial arts at 16, initially through taekwondo in a voluntary social project. Her passion for competition grew, leading her to transition into MMA after a first fight invitation from friends at the age of 18. This shift allowed her to discover her true potential, connect with fellow fighters, and ultimately led her to the world of professional fighting. Her path eventually crossed with Jungle Fight, opening doors for her to pursue fighting as a career.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

Beginning her career mostly only knowing taekwondo, Silva struggled with her transition to MMA, losing a couple of her first bouts due to not knowing any grappling. In 2017, Silva was invited by Carlos Borracha to fight for Jungle Fight, who generously offered her both a gym to train and a place to live. However, it wasn't until 2019 that Silva had her first shot at the flyweight belt in Jungle Fight.
Facing off against Gabi Marçal, Silva secured a victory in the opening round through a submission, executing a skillful strike and seamlessly transitioning into an arm lock on the ground.
Subsequently, the fighter from Minas Gerais had the task of defending her championship belt against Joice Mara. With mere seconds left in the fourth round, she clinched victory once again, employing an arm lock submission to secure the win.

### Ultimate Fighting Championship

Silva signed with the UFC in 2020, however her debut was delayed after suffering a broken arm and several complications and other injuries.
Silva made her debut with the promotion on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett against Jasmine Jasudavicius, defeating her via unanimous decision.
In her sophomore performance with the promotion, Silva faced Tereza Bledá on November 29, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba, winning the bout via TKO stoppage due to a spinning back kick and ground and pound in the third round. With this win, Silva earned her first Performance of the Night bonus.
Silva faced Victoria Leonardo on May 20, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 223. She won the fight via technical knockout in round one.
Silva faced her first ranked opponent in Andrea Lee at UFC 292 on August 19, 2023. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Silva, on her birthday, faced Viviane Araújo on February 3, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 235. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Silva faced former UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Jéssica Andrade on September 7, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 242. She won the fight by unanimous decision. This fight earned her a Fight of the Night award.
Silva is set to face former flyweight champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

## Championships and accomplishments
### Mixed martial arts

* Ultimate Fighting Championship
** Fight of the Night (One time) vs. Jéssica Andrade
** Performance of the Night (One time) vs. Tereza Bledá
** Tied (Maycee Barber & Erin Blanchfield) for the third longest win streak in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (6)
** Highest striking differential in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (2.84)
** Highest takedown defense percentage in UFC Women's Flyweight division history (91.7%)
** UFC.com Awards
*** 2022: Ranked #7 Newcomer of the Year
* Jungle Fight
** Jungle Fight Women's Flyweight Championship (One time)
*** One successful title defense

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 24 matches | 18 wins | 5 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 1 |
| By submission | 7 | 2 |
| By decision | 5 | 2 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 18–5–1 | Jéssica Andrade | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Brady | September 7, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Fight of the Night. |
| Win | 17–5–1 | Viviane Araújo | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Dolidze vs. Imavov | February 3, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 16–5–1 | Andrea Lee | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 292 | August 19, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |
| Win | 15–5–1 | Victoria Leonardo | TKO (punches and head kick) | UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Hill | May 20, 2023 | 1 | 2:58 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 14–5–1 | Tereza Bledá | TKO (spinning back kick and punches) | UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba | November 19, 2022 | 3 | 1:27 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 13–5–1 | Jasmine Jasudavicius | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett | June 18, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Austin, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 12–5–1 | Joice Mara | Submission (armbar) | Jungle Fight 100 | December 28, 2019 | 4 | 3:22 | Manaus, Brazil | Defended the Jungle Fight Women's Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–5–1 | Gabriela Marçal | Submission (armbar) | Jungle Fight 96 | October 19, 2019 | 1 | 3:34 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | Won the Jungle Fight Women's Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 10–5–1 | Raquel Santiago | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Fight Club MMA 10 | June 8, 2019 | 1 | 0:40 | Montes Claros, Brazil | |
| Win | 9–5–1 | Kênia Santana | Submission (armbar) | Jungle Fight: Quinto Fight Night 1 | October 6, 2018 | 1 | 1:55 | Contagem, Brazil | |
| Win | 8–5–1 | Ingritt Silva | Submission (armbar) | Fight Club MMA 6 | May 12, 2018 | 2 | 1:55 | Montes Claros, Brazil | |
| Win | 7–5–1 | Raquel Santiago | Submission (armbar) | Fight Club MMA 5 | March 10, 2018 | 1 | 1:04 | Bocaiuva, Brazil | |
| Loss | 6–5–1 | Marina Rodriguez | Decision (unanimous) | Thunder Fight 14 | December 16, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | |
| Win | 6–4–1 | Tarciara Santos | Submission (armbar) | Jungle Fight 92 | September 30, 2017 | 1 | 2:38 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | Strawweight bout. |
| Win | 5–4–1 | Simone Almeida da Silva | Decision (unanimous) | Vegas Fight Night | March 18, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Betim, Brazil | |
| Win | 4–4–1 | Carolina Oliveira | TKO (punches) | Patao Combat MMA 1 | December 17, 2016 | 1 | 3:32 | Manhuaçu, Brazil | |
| Loss | 3–4–1 | Daiane Firmino | Decision (unanimous) | Batalha MMA 4 | November 19, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | São Paulo, Brazil | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 3–3–1 | Gabriela Souza | TKO (punches) | Spartacus HCC: Champions Challenge | July 2, 2016 | 2 | 2:40 | Ibatiba, Brazil | |
| Draw | 2–3–1 | Cris Macfer | Draw (unanimous) | BH Sparta 10 | April 15, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 2–3 | Juliana Costa | KO (punch) | Balloutta Combat MMA | January 16, 2016 | 1 | 3:55 | Lajinha, Brazil | |
| Loss | 1–3 | Kenya Miranda | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Ratinho FC 2 | September 19, 2015 | 1 | 2:50 | Caratinga, Brazil | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Elaine Leal | Submission (armbar) | BH Sparta 7 | August 29, 2015 | 1 | 2:00 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | |
| Win | 1–1 | Carolina Oliveira | DQ (illegal elbow strikes) | Combat Night Fight 2 | August 8, 2015 | 1 | 4:26 | Janaúba, Brazil | |
| Loss | 0–1 | Kenya Miranda | TKO (punches) | Fire Cage Super Fight Night 1 | April 25, 2015 | 2 | 3:26 | Montes Claros, Brazil | Strawweight debut. |