Natalia Silva Fights for Her Sister’s Memory
Natalia Silva faced Jessica Andrade at UFC Vegas 97 on September 7, 2024, carrying both professional ambition and the grief of losing her sister earlier that year. The all-Brazilian flyweight contest was the co-main event at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
A difficult camp before a major opportunity
Before the bout, Silva explained that the family loss had changed her perspective on fighting. She described preparing with a heavy heart while still committing herself fully to the challenge. Rather than viewing championship success only as a personal goal, she spoke about the opportunity to share her experiences and help others through her platform.
The sporting stakes were substantial. Silva entered the matchup with five consecutive UFC victories and an 11-fight winning streak overall. Andrade, a former UFC strawweight champion, offered an experienced test in the flyweight division and an opportunity for Silva to demonstrate her progress against a recognizable contender.
Silva wins the September 2024 contest
Silva went on to defeat Andrade by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 30–27, giving her every round on each scorecard. The result extended her unbeaten UFC start to six fights and turned the demanding buildup into a significant victory.
The completed result belongs alongside the pre-fight comments: Silva’s remarks explain the personal circumstances of her preparation, while the official scorecards establish what happened inside the Octagon. Together they document both the context and outcome of this September 2024 matchup.
Before the bout, Silva said her sister had died earlier that year. MMA Fighting reported her comments.
Silva won by unanimous decision (30-27 x3). UFC’s recap confirms the result.
Sources
Tags: MMA
