Natalia Silva urges UFC champ Valentina Shevchenko to book fight: ‘There’s no way she’s going to keep holding onto the belt forever’

Natalia Silva is pressing the UFC to finalize a flyweight title shot against champion Valentina Shevchenko later this year. Silva earned her opportunity after defeating former champion Alexa Grasso in May 2025, though she subsequently accepted an interim bout with Rose Namajunas in January with a title-shot guarantee attached. According to Silva, the UFC recently informed her that Shevchenko is dealing with an injury and recovery time is needed. However, Silva expressed skepticism about the severity of the issue, noting that Shevchenko's recent social media training clips from Thailand suggest she may already be back to work. "We're just waiting for her to show up," Silva told MMA Fighting, voicing confidence that the champion cannot hold the belt indefinitely. The situation highlights the common frustration fighters face when negotiations stall due to champion availability, a dynamic that can delay title opportunities for contenders.