TLDR
- Natalia Silva defeated Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision (29-28 on all three scorecards) at UFC 324
- Many observers believed Namajunas won the fight based on her control in rounds one and two
- Silva’s aggressive third round performance, including a late takedown, swayed the judges
- The decision extends Silva’s UFC record to perfect with 14 consecutive wins overall
- Silva may earn a title shot against flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko next
Sources: MMA Fighting | MMA Weekly | Empire Sports Media
Natalia Silva defeated Rose Namajunas by unanimous decision at UFC 324 on Saturday night, but the outcome left many observers questioning the judges’ scorecards. All three judges scored the flyweight bout 29-28 for Silva, keeping her undefeated record in the UFC intact.
The decision sparked immediate controversy among fans and media members. Many who watched the fight believed Namajunas had done enough to win, particularly due to her control in the second round and effective counter-striking throughout the contest.
Close Contest From Start to Finish
The first round featured competitive striking exchanges with both fighters finding success. Namajunas used leg kicks and jabs effectively while Silva struggled to deal with the former strawweight champion’s movement and footwork.
Silva threw combinations but couldn’t find consistent accuracy against Namajunas’ elusive style. Namajunas landed a clean right hand counter and even attempted a spinning back fist that barely missed.
The second round saw Namajunas take more control of the fight. She countered Silva’s strikes effectively and defended a takedown attempt before reversing position and putting Silva on her back.
Namajunas maintained top control for the remainder of the round, landing short punches while Silva offered little resistance from the bottom position. Most observers gave Namajunas the first two rounds based on her striking accuracy and grappling control.
Silva’s Late Surge Sways Judges
Facing a potential deficit on the scorecards, Silva came out aggressive in the third round. She landed combinations, leg kicks, and a spinning back kick while pressuring Namajunas around the octagon.
Silva threw a side kick to the face and continued to pour on the volume. Namajunas fired back with counters, including a strong left hand, but Silva’s activity level was much higher than in the previous rounds.
With just over a minute remaining, Namajunas attempted a takedown but Silva defended and reversed position to score her own takedown. Though little damage occurred on the ground, the sequence capped Silva’s best round of the fight.
Silva apologized to fans after the victory, acknowledging it wasn’t her best performance. “I am so grateful and sorry today, this was not my best moment,” Silva said in her post-fight interview.
She praised her opponent’s skills and explained the pressure she felt heading into the contest. “A lot of people were putting me as a very heavy favorite. Rose is an amazing athlete. I was facing this as the toughest fight of my life.”
The victory extends Silva’s winning streak to 14 consecutive fights and keeps her professional record at 19-5-1. She has now won every fight since joining the UFC without a single loss inside the octagon.
Namajunas drops to 14-7 in her professional career. The former strawweight champion was attempting to build momentum at flyweight after defeating Miranda Maverick in her previous bout.
Silva positioned herself as the leading contender for a title shot against UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko. Whether the close nature of this victory will be enough to secure that opportunity remains to be seen.
