Natalia Silva is not convinced that Jasmine Jasudavicius has done enough to claim the next shot at her UFC women's flyweight title, pointing instead to Alexa Grasso's recent form as an equally strong case.
In an interview with Ag. Fight published Oct. 21, Silva addressed Jasudavicius's push for a title fight after the Canadian's unanimous-decision win over Erin Blanchfield on Oct. 17 at UFC Fight Night: Buckley vs. Malott in Edmonton, confirmed by UFC's own results recap. Silva acknowledged the win but said she believes other fighters are in similarly strong form, naming Grasso specifically. She added that she wants to fight whoever is coming off a victory and considers matchmaking the UFC's decision rather than her own.
Silva won the vacant 125-pound title by unanimous decision over Wang Cong at UFC 332 on Oct. 3 in Salt Lake City, after Valentina Shevchenko vacated the belt, and has not yet had a first defense scheduled or an opponent named.
Grasso, a former flyweight champion, has a credible claim of her own. She beat Manon Fiorot by unanimous decision at Noche UFC on Sept. 12, her second straight win, according to ESPN. In the UFC's current official rankings, Shevchenko sits at No. 1, Grasso at No. 2, Fiorot at No. 3, Jasudavicius at No. 4 and Blanchfield at No. 5.
Silva's comments leave her first title defense unsettled for now, with the champion signaling she will take whatever matchup the UFC presents rather than pushing publicly for a specific opponent.
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