Karine Silva explains how fast UFC rise was actually deceivingly long
April 25, 2024 9:15 pm ET
LAS VEGAS ā Karine Silva has heard the praise.
Even though the narratives are largely complementary, Silva (17-3 MMA, 3-0 UFC) admits her run toward UFC notoriety isnāt as quick and effortless as it may seem.
āIt wasnāt quick, guys. It wasnāt fast,ā Silva told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a UFC on ESPN 55 pre-fight news conference. āIt was actually the work of 12 years. When I say āourā work, what I mean by āour,ā is our team. Itās the people. We have taken one day at a time, but itās taken a long time. It was not quick.ā
Since a UFC ticket-punching performance on Dana Whiteās Contender Series in 2021, Silva has defeated Poliana Botelho, Ketlen Souza, and Maryna Moroz with first-round submissions. The results of a decade-plus of hard work have felt rewarding.
āItās been wonderful,ā Silva said. āThe only thing thatās changed has been the frequency of training has increased. The intensity of training has increased. The routine changed but my life has been the same.ā
At Saturdayās UFC on ESPN 55 (ESPN, ESPN+) at the UFC Apex, Silva battles seasoned veteran Ariane Lipski (17-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC), who is on a three-fight winning streak. Nicknamed āThe Queen of Violence,ā Lipski has finishing abilities herself. Regardless, Silva is confident Lipski wonāt hinder her trajectory.
āI think the fight is going to happen the way itās going to happen whether itās going to be in the first, second, or third round,ā Silva said. āWhat I believe in is my win.ā
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkieās event hub for UFC on ESPN 55.
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