For Karine Silva, MMA was never the plan—but rather a twist of fate. The Brazilian flyweight’s journey to becoming a UFC star has been anything but ordinary. Before she ever stepped into the cage, Silva faced a near-death experience that forever altered her outlook on life. Since then, each fight loss, though challenging, pales compared to what she endured in that life-changing moment.

Silva’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination, inspiring many in the UFC. While she has earned 18 victories, it’s her setbacks that fuel her motivation to prove herself time and again. Let’s take a closer look at how both her wins and losses have shaped the #11 ranked flyweight fighter.

Karine Silva’s MMA losses

The 30-year-old Karine Silva fights out of Curitiba, Brazil, where she built much of her career before earning her big break on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) in 2021. Despite her impressive record, Silva has faced setbacks along the way. Since joining the UFC, ‘Killer’ has remained undefeated in the promotion. However, she encountered tough losses earlier in her career, including against Dione Barbosa at Katana Fight 9 and Marina Mokhnatkina at Fight Nights Global 81.

Her two other career losses were to Elaine Albuquerque at Santa Catarina Regional and Maryna Moroz at XFC International 7. Yet, since stepping into the DWCS spotlight, Silva has been unstoppable, racking up one remarkable victory after another.

Karine Silva might have lost to some fighters, but she’s already won the battle against death. “Becoming a fighter comes from an accident that happened in my life where I almost died.” Silva shared with MMA Mania. “That accident threw me in a whole different direction where I became a fighter, and life said, ‘Here you go. This is yours to take and go for it.’ I really can’t imagine what I’d be if I wasn’t a fighter.” Now let’s have a look at the Brazilian’s overall MMA stats.

Karine Silva’s MMA record and life beyond the cage

Karine Silva has amassed an impressive 18-4 record in her MMA career. The Brazilian has fought across several weight classes, from strawweight to bantamweight, before finding her true home in the flyweight division. Her career took off when she joined Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), securing her UFC contract with a stunning second-round guillotine choke against Qihui Yan. Since then, Silva has enjoyed an unstoppable run, climbing to #11 in the UFC Women’s Flyweight rankings, with each win further validating her remarkable journey from ice cream server to UFC star.

Since joining the UFC, ‘Killer’ has been on an impressive tear, stacking up victories and showcasing her submission skills. She kicked off her UFC journey with a D’arce choke finish against Poliana Botelho at UFC Fight Night in 2022. Silva then continued her streak, defeating Ketlen Souza, Maryna Moroz, and Ariane Lipski in succession, each fight proving her skill and determination.

Before the Brazilian was serving up knuckle sandwiches in the octagon, she was dishing out ice cream to customers. Reflecting on her past, Silva shared, “I used to work in an ice cream shop before all this happened. Possibly, I would still be there, but I cannot imagine myself being anything else but a fighter.”

However, her life took a dramatic turn one fateful day. She had just been promoted at the shop and was happily biking to work when tragedy struck—she collided with a motorcycle, leaving her severely injured and bedridden, fighting for her life. But Silva’s resilience shone through; she not only overcame the injuries from that accident but went on to conquer opponents in the cage. Recalling her journey to recovery, she said, “It just so happened that the gym I went to had Chinese boxing (Sanda) in it. So, many people think that I come from jiu-jitsu, but I come from Chinese boxing, and that’s where I started training.”

A warrior inside and outside the cage, Silva surely has come a long way in her life. Now, with momentum on her side, the Brazilian is set to take on Viviane Araujo at UFC 309. Are you ready to watch her deliver another killer performance?