Quick Read
- Rose Namajunas faces Natalia Silva at UFC 324 on January 24, 2026, in a flyweight contender bout.
- The winner could earn a title shot against flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko.
- Namajunas is a former two-time strawweight champion with a 3-1 record since moving to flyweight.
- Natalia Silva is undefeated in the UFC, boasting a 13-fight win streak overall.
- Namajunas offered a neutral prediction for the Gaethje vs. Pimblett main event.
LAS VEGAS (Azat TV) – Former two-time UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas is set to face undefeated Brazilian contender Natalia Silva in a high-stakes flyweight bout at UFC 324 this Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena. This pivotal matchup is widely considered a de facto eliminator for a shot at the flyweight queen, Valentina Shevchenko, marking a critical moment in Namajunas’s pursuit of a third divisional title and Silva’s quest for an inaugural championship opportunity.
The highly anticipated 125-pound showdown was originally slated to feature Namajunas against former champion Alexa Grasso. However, Grasso’s withdrawal from the card paved the way for Natalia Silva to step in, presenting an equally formidable challenge. The bout is penciled in as the second fight of the UFC 324 main card, which is headlined by the interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett.
Namajunas’s Flyweight Ambitions
Rose ‘Thug Rose’ Namajunas, a prominent figure in mixed martial arts, returned to the Octagon in September 2023 after losing her strawweight belt to Carla Esparza in 2022. Her return marked a move to the flyweight division, where she initially dropped her debut to former title challenger Manon Fiorot. Since then, Namajunas has demonstrated her adaptability and skill, compiling a 3-1 record in her new weight class, with her most recent victory coming last June against Miranda Maverick. With over a decade of UFC experience, Namajunas has a storied career, boasting significant wins against elite athletes such as Jessica Andrade, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Zhang Weili, showcasing a caliber of talent that remains a benchmark in the sport.
Silva’s Unblemished UFC Record
On the opposing side, Natalia Silva enters the contest with an impressive undefeated record since her UFC debut in 2022 against Jasmine Jasudavicius. The 28-year-old Brazilian quickly made a name for herself, earning a Performance of the Night bonus for a spinning back kick knockout against Tereza Bleda later that year. Silva continued her momentum through 2023 with wins over Victoria Leonardo and Andrea Lee, and extended her success into 2024, defeating Viviane Araujo and securing a Fight of the Night-winning performance against Jessica Andrade. Her most notable victory to date came last May against Alexa Grasso, a fight in which Silva utilized her movement and speed to maintain control throughout, extending her overall professional win streak to 13.
Tale of the Tape: Key Statistics
While both fighters are highly ranked and possess significant striking prowess, a look at their statistics reveals some subtle differences. On paper, Silva holds higher percentages in overall statistics, though their striking accuracy is quite similar, with Silva at 46.2 percent and Namajunas at 41.6 percent. Silva also boasts an edge in strikes landed per minute, averaging 5, nearly two more than Namajunas’s 3.60. However, Namajunas demonstrates superior takedown accuracy at 50 percent, a factor that could be crucial, although Silva’s impressive takedown defense stands at 92 percent. Early in her career, Silva also secured a handful of victories via submission, indicating a well-rounded skill set.
Rose Namajunas on the Main Event
Beyond her own fight, Rose Namajunas also offered her perspective on the main event of UFC 324, the interim lightweight title clash between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. When asked for her prediction by BBC Sport, Namajunas took a neutral stance, stating, ‘Whether they win lose or draw, I hope they can be happy with their performance and be happy and safe. It’s a 50/50 fight.’ Her comments underscored a focus on fighter well-being and acknowledged the unpredictable nature of high-level competition.
The flyweight matchup between Rose Namajunas and Natalia Silva stands as a significant moment for the division, not merely as a high-profile bout, but as a clear indicator of the next contender to challenge the formidable Valentina Shevchenko. For Namajunas, it represents an opportunity to solidify her claim in a new weight class and pursue a rare third championship, while for Silva, it is the ultimate test to translate an impressive win streak into an undisputed title shot, signaling a potential shift in the divisional landscape.