LAS VEGAS — Natalia Silva kept her undefeated UFC run intact Saturday night, but not without debate. At UFC 324 inside T-Mobile Arena, Silva (20-5-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) earned a unanimous decision victory over former two-time strawweight champion Rose Namajunas by identical 29-28 scores across all three judges’ cards.
While the official verdict favored Silva, the decision sparked mixed reactions from fans both in attendance and watching at home. Still, in the win-loss column, Silva moves forward and possibly closer to gold.
The three-round women’s flyweight bout unfolded more like a chess match than a firefight. Both fighters were measured, cautious, and deliberate, often prioritizing positioning over prolonged exchanges.
Namajunas attempted to vary the rhythm by mixing in takedown entries and successfully bringing the fight to the mat late in the second round. Much of the contest, however, consisted of clinch battles, feints, and stretches of minimal engagement, with neither fighter taking sustained risks.
Ultimately, the judges favored Silva’s consistency and forward pressure just enough to award her all three rounds on the scorecards a conclusion that many found debatable but decisive nonetheless.
Silva’s Momentum Continues
At just 28 years old, Silva continues to build a résumé that now firmly places her in the title conversation. Prior to defeating Namajunas, she rattled off wins over former champions Alexa Grasso and Jessica Andrade, along with contenders Jasmine Jasudavicius and Viviane Araujo.
With Saturday’s victory, Silva may have punched her ticket to a title shot against reigning champion Valentina Shevchenko. The division’s logjam remains real, however, with Maycee Barber set to face Grasso in March and Erin Blanchfield still awaiting her next assignment.
Namajunas Still Lingers Near the Top
For Namajunas (14-8 MMA, 12-7 UFC), the loss was another chapter in a career defined by peaks, valleys, and resilience. At 33, she continues to find ways almost uniquely to remain relevant in the title picture despite inconsistent results.
Even in defeat, her name still carries weight in the division, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her remain matched against top-tier opposition moving forward.
What Comes Next?
Silva didn’t dominate, but she did enough at least in the eyes of the judges to stay perfect in the UFC and keep her championship aspirations alive.
In a division searching for clarity behind its champion, wins matter more than style points. On Saturday night in Las Vegas, Natalia Silva got the one thing she needed most.
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
