Karine Silva de Almeida Bio
Karine Silva de Almeida, born December 2, 1993, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by her ring name “Killer,” Silva has rapidly ascended the ranks to become a notable contender in her division, recognized for her grappling skills and submission prowess.
Early Life and Background
Karine Silva was born in Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, and currently resides in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil. Facing financial hardships early on, Silva made the bold decision to leave her job and dedicate herself fully to martial arts training. Without familial support, she worked various jobs including security guard, masseuse, and receptionist to sustain herself while pursuing her passion.
Silva initially trained in “Chinese boxing” before transitioning to mixed martial arts. At age 19, she made her professional debut, having left school, family, and employment behind to focus on combat sports. She joined a team that provided comprehensive training across disciplines such as luta livre, wrestling, MMA, and Muay Thai, laying the foundation for her MMA career.
Path to MMA
Silva’s early career was primarily based in Brazil, where she built a strong record under the Aspera Fighting Championship banner, including six wins and a notable first-round armbar victory over Leticia Oliveira Ribeiro. Despite an early setback against future UFC fighter Maryna Moroz in 2014, Silva rebounded with a series of stoppage wins.
Her international debut in Russia ended in defeat, but she returned to Brazil and dropped to the flyweight division, where she gained momentum with a knockout win over Vitoria Ferreira in 2019. This winning streak earned her a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series, where she secured a UFC contract with a second-round guillotine choke submission against Qihui Yan.
Karine Silva Career
Early Career (2013–2021)
Starting her professional MMA career in 2013, Silva quickly established herself as a formidable competitor in regional Brazilian promotions. Her early years featured dominant performances and key submission victories, showcasing her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt skills. Despite a few losses, she demonstrated resilience and steady improvement.
Silva’s international experience included a fight in Russia, which ended in a submission loss, but she used the experience to refine her technique. Returning to Brazil, she embarked on a five-fight winning streak that positioned her for entry into the UFC.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2022–Present)
Karine Silva made her UFC debut on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207 against Poliana Botelho, winning via first-round brabo choke submission. This performance earned her the Performance of the Night award, marking a strong start to her UFC tenure.
She continued her ascent by defeating Invicta FC Champion Ketlen Souza on June 3, 2023, with a first-round kneebar submission. Silva then avenged an earlier career loss by submitting Maryna Moroz with a first-round guillotine choke at UFC 292 in August 2023.
In 2024, Silva secured a unanimous decision victory over Ariane Lipski and faced Viviane Araújo at UFC 309 in November, where she suffered a unanimous decision loss. In 2025, she rebounded with a unanimous decision win over Dione Barbosa at UFC 319 and is scheduled to face Maycee Barber at UFC 323 in December.
Fighting Nerds Era (Present)
Currently training with the Fighting Nerds team, Silva continues to develop her skills and maintain competitive form in the UFC flyweight division. Her partnership with her team has been instrumental in refining her grappling and submission techniques, contributing to her recent successes.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Karine Silva fights in an orthodox stance and is known for her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt expertise. Her grappling and submission skills are her primary strengths, often finishing fights with chokes and joint locks. She combines technical ground work with effective striking, making her a well-rounded competitor in the flyweight division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Silva’s UFC debut victory and Performance of the Night award marked a significant milestone. Her submission wins over established fighters like Ketlen Souza and Maryna Moroz highlight her rapid rise. She is currently ranked #9 in the UFC women’s flyweight rankings as of September 2025.
Karine Silva Career Wins
Karine Silva has compiled a professional MMA record of 19 wins and 5 losses over 24 fights. Her victories include multiple submission finishes, showcasing her grappling dominance, along with knockouts and decision wins.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC, Silva has earned several notable wins, including her debut submission victory over Poliana Botelho and subsequent submission finishes against Ketlen Souza and Maryna Moroz. Her ability to finish fights early has made her a rising contender in the flyweight division.
Other Wins and Performances
Before the UFC, Silva amassed a strong record in Brazilian regional promotions, particularly with Aspera Fighting Championship, where she secured six wins and headlined events. Her early career demonstrated her submission skills and resilience against tough competition.
Karine Silva Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Karine Silva’s family background and lineage are not publicly documented. She pursued her MMA career largely without family support, relying on her own determination and work ethic.
Personal Life
Information about Silva’s personal life, including marital status and children, is not publicly available. She remains focused on her professional MMA career.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Karine Silva has maintained her position as a top contender in the UFC women’s flyweight division. After a unanimous decision win over Dione Barbosa at UFC 319, she is preparing for a high-profile bout against Maycee Barber at UFC 323. Silva’s consistent performances and submission skills continue to make her a fighter to watch in the division.
Her collaboration with the Fighting Nerds team and ongoing training efforts suggest she is poised to build momentum and contend for higher rankings in the coming seasons.