Huh? Brazilian fighter, tipped for a title shot, agrees to face former UFC champion at the last minute.

Natalia Silva in victory in UFC Las Vegas 97 (Photo: Instagram/UFC)

Undefeated in seven fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and ranked second in the flyweight division (up to 56,7 kg), Natalia Silva She has the opportunity to add the name of another former champion to her roster, and sooner than expected. The fighter has agreed to replace her. Alexa grasso and therefore he will return to the octagon on January 24th to face Rose namajunas No. UFC 323, the first event of 2026. The information was first reported by Sherdog.

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Coming off victories against Jessica Stacker and the very Alexa grassoNatalia is one of the leading contenders to challenge for the crown of Valentina ShevchenkoThe Brazilian's rise was ultimately halted by the super fight between the champion and... Weili Zhang Last month, in New York. She will have more than a month and a half to prepare for the fight.

Alexa grasso is OUT. Natalie Silva steps in to fight Rose namajunas at UFC 324 on January 24, per @sherdogdotcom pic.twitter.com/YffQhs9BlO

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 3, 2025

Namajunas, in turn, is ranked sixth. A former two-time strawweight champion (up to 52,1 kg), the American has had inconsistent performances in the new weight class. With three wins and two losses in her last five fights, she has the opportunity to "jump the queue" and become the number one contender if she wins against the Brazilian.

Rose namajunas won Miranda maverick by unanimous decision in the UFC Atlanta. Photo: Reproduction/X.

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