A second Canadian fighter takes the stage this Saturday evening under the lights, this time in the Lone Star State.
St. Catharine's, Ontario's Jasmine Jasudavicius (7-1) heads to Austin, Texas, where she'll square off against Brazil's Natalia Silva (12-5) in a women's flyweight matchup at UFC on ESPN 37.
The 33-year-old Jasudavicius first made waves last September at Dana White's Contender Series with a commanding victory. She followed that momentum by earning a unanimous decision over Kay Hansen in her UFC debut earlier this year.
Silva, 25, may not boast the same pedigree of elite competition, but the former Jungle Fight flyweight champion arrives seeking her sixth consecutive victory.
"I feel incredibly confident stepping into this bout after completing my UFC debut," Jasudavicius told MMA Empire.
"Silva is transitioning from the regional circuit straight into the UFC — that's a massive leap. I went through Contender Series first, made my debut, and now I'm completely at ease with how the UFC operates. I've navigated media week before, handled weigh-ins, and I understand the organization inside and out. That gives me a real edge."
Jasudavicius' ascent has been remarkably swift — just five years separate her amateur debut from her current position at MMA's pinnacle.
"I believe I match up really well against several women ranked in the top 15," she said.
"I've had the privilege of training alongside many of them, and I know exactly where I stand. Of course, fight night brings a different dynamic, but I'm confident my skill level is right in the mix. It might take a little time, but this entire journey has felt both endless and fleeting."
As a member of Niagara Top Team, Jasudavicius has traveled extensively throughout her career, competing against some of the finest female fighters across North America.
This latest training camp has left her feeling particularly sharp ahead of her second UFC appearance.
"I spent considerable time traveling during this camp, sparring with fighters from all different styles — it's been fantastic," Jasudavicius shared.
"I have a solid connection with the crew at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, so they're always open to me. I was in Vegas for ten days and Florida for a week. It was excellent, and I feel prepared for whatever comes my way."
Determined not to leave anything to chance, Jasudavicius is ready for every scenario when the cage doors close Saturday night.
While acknowledging that Silva has looked strong in her recent outings, Jasudavicius also emphasized that it has been nearly two years since Silva last competed.
"I watched her last fight, but honestly, I don't spend much time studying opponent footage — it doesn't really bother me," Jasudavicius noted.
"From what I've seen, she's clearly well-rounded, her striking appears solid, and she has plenty of armbar finishes — so she's dangerous on the ground. She hasn't fought in a couple of years, so you never know what to expect. I've been drilling everything needed to prepare for her."
One of the primary reasons Jasudavicius reached the UFC so quickly has been her consistent improvement with each outing.
"That's just my mindset — push forward and keep throwing punches," Jasudavicius said.
"I'm sure I'll be bringing that energy. But ultimately, this is a dance, so let's see what she brings to the table. I'll focus on identifying and capitalizing on any weaknesses I spot."
Jasudavicius' shoutouts
"Niagara Top Team, my coaches and training partners." Follow Jasudavicius on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
