After defeating Rose Namajunas at UFC 324, Natalia Silva is setting her sights on unseating flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko at the White House.
Silva scored the biggest win of her mixed martial arts career on Saturday night, earning a unanimous decision victory over ‘Thug’ Rose and putting herself in pole position for a shot at Shevchenko’s 125-pound crown.
Following the win, Silva suggested that with her birthday only a few short weeks away, Dana White could give her the ultimate gift.
“I actually really wanted to say that, but I wasn’t able to say it in the Octagon because we were running out of time,” Silva said during her UFC 324 post-fight interview when asked about potentially fighting Shevchenko at the White House this summer. “But my birthday’s coming up, February 3rd, and that would be an amazing birthday gift.
“I think Dana should give that to me as a gift. Think about it — I accepted this fight short notice, high risk, did what he needed me to do, and it would be a tremendous birthday gift to receive the call for a title fight at the White House. Dana, I want you to give me this opportunity. It’s my birthday present.”
Aside from a date — Sunday, June 14 — no details have emerged regarding the UFC’s highly anticipated Fight Night at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Previously, President Donald Trump suggested that as many as “eight or nine championship fights” could feature on the history-making card.
While that may be a bit too ambitious, one of those title tilts could very well be Shevchenko vs. Silva.
Fans Left Frustrated by Natalia Silva’s Defeat of Namajunas
Silva’s win over Namajunas came with a hint of controversy, as many fight fans online believed ‘Thug’ Rose had done more than enough in the first two rounds to seal a decision in her favor.
“Natalia Silva did not deserve that win!” one user wrote.
“Rose Namajunas won that fight,” another added.
“Rose Namajunas got robbed at UFC 324, and I am a big Natalia Silva fan,” a third posted.
“Rose Namajunas robbery. She had (rounds) 1 & 2 in the bag,” a fourth wrote.
Despite the skepticism, White confirmed during the post-fight press conference that Silva was indeed next for Shevchenko. When and where that takes place remains to be seen, but if Silva gets her wish, it’ll be in the nation’s capital later this year.
