This is the UFC 324 live blog for Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas, the main card flyweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Silva and Namajunas rank among the best fighters in the world, with Silva No. 7 and Namajunas No. 14 on MMA Fighting’s Pound-for-Pound list.
For Silva (19-5-1), this is her third straight fight against a former UFC champion after earning impressive decision wins over Alexa Grasso and Jessica Andrade. The Brazilian standout is yet to lose in the UFC, building a 7-0 octagon record, and is currently on a 13-fight win streak stretching back to 2017.
Namajunas (14-7), a two-time strawweight champion, has been put to the test after moving up to the 125-pound division. She is 3-2 in her new weight class, with wins over Miranda Maverick, Tracy Cortez, and Amanda Ribas, and losses to top contenders Erin Blanchfield and Manon Fiorot. “Thug Rose” aims to derail the Silva hype train and book a fight with fellow future UFC Hall of Famer Valentina Shevchenko.
Check out the UFC 324 live blog for Natalia Silva vs. Rose Namajunas below.
This was originally supposed to be Alexa Grasso vs. Rose Namajunas, but somehow, this feels like the more fitting matchup. “Natty Ice” is well-regarded as a future champion among the MMA Fighting staff, and a win over Namajunas should cement a title shot whether its against Valentina Shevchenko or as part of a vacant title bout if Shevchenko gets bored and moves up to bantamweight.
On FanDuel, Natalia Silva is a huge favorite at -330 over the two-time strawweight champion. Namajunas +265, so plenty of value if you’re picking “Thug Rose” to pull off the upset.
Namajunas already looking busy in there. Doesn’t look like she’s waiting for the younger Silva to set the tone. Plenty of movement from both fighters, neither able to land anything of note with over a minute gone.
There’s Namajunas with a jab. Leg kick from Namajunas and she avoids a Silva counter combo. Silva lands a leg kick, but Namajunas pushes her back with a right for her troubles. There’s a counter right from Silva. And then a counter left. Sloppy kick by Silva and Namajunas makes her pay with a counter right. The movement is there for Silva, but she’s not finding angles to effectively score.
Silva sneaks in a right, Namajunas well out of danger before there’s any follow-up. Namajunas lands a right as Silva is just a step slow with the counter. Clash of bodies at the end, neither fighter able to do much off of it. Slight edge to Namajunas so far.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Namajunas.
Namajunas gets the better of an early exchange. Silva with a high kick to the body. They’re flinging kicks from distance, but not connecting with anything hard. Glancing right from Namajunas. Just so little commitment on some of these attacks. Silva with a lunging right. Namajunas lands a short strike and avoids another Silva counter.
Silva blocks a takedown attempt and Namajunas wrestles her to the fence. Halfway through the round, Silva just has to do more. She has to work for it and there’s a big takedown for Namajunas. Less than two minutes in the round, Silva is in trouble unless she can make something happen here.
Namajunas has Silva stuck on her back and time is ticking away. She’s comfortable to sit in Silva’s guard, though Silva is at least attempting to attack Namajunas’ arm. Nothing doing, though.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Namajunas. Overall, 20-18 Namajunas.
Silva coming out with some urgency at least, she has to know she’s down on the cards. Spin kick to the body pushes Namajunas to the fence. She’s letting her hands go, but Namajunas is right there with her. Left hook from Silva scores. Quick jab from Namajunas, then a left hook. Counter left from Namajunas lands.
Namajunas being held off by some sharp striking from Silva. Definitely needed to see more of this from Silva earlier. Namajunas on the back foot now, but she can afford to be. Silva needs a finish.
