
Natalia
Silva never stopped believing in herself, even when she
considered walking away from mixed martial arts.
Silva (20-5) is scheduled to face Cong Wang
(10-1) for the vacant
Ultimate Fighting Championship women’s flyweight title at
UFC
332 on Oct. 3 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City. Ahead of her
championship bout, Silva reflected on her journey to title
contention and the hardships she has overcome.
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Natalia Silva recalls living at her gym before earning UFC 332
title shot
Silva credits her perseverance and belief in herself with helping
her overcome hardships throughout her career. She recently revealed
that she once lived at her gym and slept on a physical therapy bed.
The Brazilian admitted there were several occasions when she
considered quitting mixed martial arts but credits her faith and
the people around her with helping her continue.
“I think what brought me here was believing in myself and never
quitting and continuing regardless of what happens,” Silva told the
UFC. “No matter what I did in my life and what I was able to
accomplish, it was always a very tough journey. I have gone through
a lot of challenges. There were moments that I had to live in the
gym. I actually lived in the physical therapy room; I slept in a PT
bed for a while. Things were never easy. And in many moments, I
thought of giving up, of quitting… Always, God has strengthened me,
surrounded me with people with a kind word for me.”
Silva is undefeated in eight UFC appearances, with her last three
victories coming against Jessica
Andrade, Alexa
Grasso and Rose
Namajunas. Meanwhile, Wang is riding a four-fight winning
streak and is coming off a victory over Tracy
Cortez.
“I am going to get that belt.”
Natalia
Silva (@nataliasilvaufc)
has embraced every part of her journey as she prepares for her
first shot at UFC gold on October 3. #UFC332Fight by Fight Preview ➡️: https://t.co/Sw9Lgv2WTv pic.twitter.com/ah1pcTYA73
— UFC News (@UFCNews)
September 30, 2026