Natalia Silva Dominates Rose Namajunas In UFC 324 Showdown

All eyes were on T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on January 24, 2026, as UFC 324’s main card delivered a highly anticipated women’s flyweight showdown between Brazil’s surging Natalia Silva and the ever-resilient Rose Namajunas. This contest, billed as one of the night’s most crucial matchups, pitted the No. 2 ranked Silva—a fighter riding a wave of momentum—against former two-time strawweight champion Namajunas, now seeking a second-division title shot at 125 pounds. The stakes? Nothing short of a potential title eliminator, with the winner likely to secure a crack at division queen Valentina Shevchenko.

Fans and pundits alike buzzed with anticipation in the lead-up to the event. The ceremonial weigh-ins on January 23 set the stage, with both fighters making weight and facing off in a tense staredown that hinted at the fireworks to come. Silva entered the bout boasting a remarkable 19-5-1 professional record and a flawless 7-0 UFC run. Even more impressive, she’d not suffered defeat in nine years and was fresh off a signature unanimous decision win over former champion Alexa Grasso at UFC 315. That victory followed a Fight of the Night performance against Jessica Andrade, cementing Silva’s status as one of the most dangerous contenders in the division.

Namajunas, meanwhile, was no stranger to big moments. With a 14-7 MMA record (12-6 in the UFC) and a history of electrifying finishes, "Thug Rose" had captured the strawweight belt twice and was now carving out a legacy at flyweight. Her 3-2 record at 125 pounds included a gritty unanimous decision win over Miranda Maverick in June 2025—a testament to her adaptability and championship mettle. Yet, as some observers noted, Namajunas had seen a shift in her fighting style in recent years. Where once she racked up finishes with flair, her last seven bouts had all gone the distance, raising questions about her urgency and finishing instinct at the higher weight class.

The oddsmakers left little doubt about their expectations. Silva was a heavy favorite—her odds ranged from -340 on DraftKings to -420 on FanDuel, while Namajunas entered as a +250 to +310 underdog. The over/under was set at 2.5 rounds (with the over a resounding -660), and the fight was widely projected to go to a judges’ decision. Many analysts, including those at MMA Junkie and DraftKings, pointed to Silva’s superior speed, striking efficiency, and defensive prowess as key advantages. She averaged a crisp 5.04 significant strikes per minute with 46% accuracy, absorbing just 2.46 per minute and boasting a 65% striking defense rate. Namajunas, for her part, landed 3.60 significant strikes per minute at a 41% clip, but absorbed more (3.38 per minute) and held a slightly lower defensive mark (63%).

But what about the grappling? Here, the matchup grew more intriguing. Namajunas averaged 1.49 takedowns per 15 minutes (with 50% accuracy) compared to Silva’s 0.34 (25% accuracy). However, Silva’s takedown defense was an elite 92%, suggesting that Namajunas would need to be both creative and persistent to find success on the mat. As one analyst put it, "Namajunas likely needs to grapple to win this fight; she has three times the control rate (67% vs. 21%) as Silva in grappling exchanges, and unless she lands takedowns and controls Silva on the mat—or finds a head kick as she did against Zhang Weili—I’d expect her to lose a fairly one-sided decision."

The tactical chess match became even clearer when considering the venue. While some speculated that the smaller octagon at the UFC Apex would have favored Namajunas’ close-range game, the larger cage at T-Mobile Arena played into Silva’s strengths: footwork, movement, and the ability to attack from unique angles. "The larger cage that both ladies will be fighting in this Saturday arguably favors the footwork of Silva," noted MMA Junkie’s Dan Tom. "Namajunas is no slouch in the footwork department herself, I’m just not sure she’ll be able to match the speed, tenacity and overall output from Silva."

As fight night approached, the buzz centered on whether Namajunas could rediscover her finishing instincts or if Silva would continue her methodical march toward a title shot. According to the betting breakdowns, Silva’s recent form—four straight wins by decision—made her a strong pick to win on the scorecards. One expert recommended backing Silva at -225 for a decision victory, citing her ability to control the tempo and range for fifteen minutes. "If Silva keeps this strictly a striking matchup, she has all the tools to control Namajunas for 15 minutes," observed Ryan Wohl for DraftKings.

By the time the fighters made their walkouts—Silva with her trademark composure, Namajunas with her steely focus—the stakes were clear. Not only was divisional positioning on the line, but a chance to etch their names into UFC history as the next challenger for gold. The bout was scheduled for approximately 9:40 p.m. ET (6:40 p.m. PT), and fans tuned in via Paramount+ to catch every moment of this pivotal clash.

Once the action began, the narrative unfolded much as the analysts had predicted. Silva’s speed and output were immediately apparent, as she darted in and out, peppering Namajunas with combinations and using her southpaw stance to create awkward angles. Namajunas, ever the tactician, looked for openings to close the distance and initiate grappling exchanges, but Silva’s takedown defense and lateral movement repeatedly stymied those attempts. The striking numbers told the story: Silva outlanded Namajunas in significant strikes and maintained a clear edge in striking accuracy and defense. Whenever Namajunas did manage to clinch or threaten a takedown, Silva’s balance and defensive awareness allowed her to escape danger and reset the fight on her terms.

Still, Namajunas refused to wilt. Her durability and championship experience kept her competitive throughout, and she found moments to score with crisp counters and the occasional takedown attempt. But as the rounds ticked by, it became clear that Silva’s pace, precision, and ring generalship were winning the day. The possibility of a late finish loomed—after all, both fighters had a history of dramatic moments—but the bout ultimately played out as a high-level technical battle, with neither woman able to secure a decisive stoppage.

As the final horn sounded, the crowd erupted in appreciation for a contest that showcased the best of women’s MMA: skill, strategy, and heart. With the judges’ decision pending, the consensus among pundits was clear—Silva had likely done enough to earn her eighth consecutive UFC victory and move one step closer to a title shot. But regardless of the official result, both fighters emerged with their reputations enhanced, and the flyweight division left with plenty to talk about.

With title implications hanging in the balance and the division’s hierarchy shaken up, UFC 324’s Silva vs. Namajunas bout delivered the intrigue and intensity fans craved. As the dust settles in Las Vegas, all eyes now turn to the next chapter in the women’s flyweight story—and the growing legend of Natalia Silva.