Karine Silva Bio
Karine Silva de Almeida (born December 2, 1993) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known by the nickname “Killer,” she has built a reputation as a submission specialist, holding a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As of April 2026, she is ranked among the top ten fighters in the UFC women’s flyweight division, a reflection of her steady climb through the professional ranks since 2013. She currently trains with the Fighting Nerds team out of Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
Early Life and Background
Karine Silva de Almeida was born on December 2, 1993, in Dourados, a city located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Growing up in modest circumstances, she faced significant financial challenges while pursuing her interest in combat sports. With limited resources, she made the bold decision to leave her job and move into a martial arts academy, dedicating herself fully to training.
Despite the absence of moral and financial support from her family, Silva worked a variety of odd jobs, including roles as a security guard, masseuse, and receptionist, in order to support herself. She began her combat sports journey with “Chinese boxing,” commonly known as sanda, before transitioning to mixed martial arts. At the age of 19, she made her professional debut, driven by a passion that led her to set aside traditional schooling and family life in favor of her athletic career.
Path to MMA
Silva’s development as a mixed martial artist was shaped when she joined a team that offered comprehensive training across multiple disciplines, including luta livre, wrestling, mixed martial arts, and muay Thai. This well-rounded foundation allowed her to develop into a versatile fighter, blending striking, grappling, and submission skills. Her early work laid the groundwork for a career that would eventually bring her to the largest stage in the sport.
Her early professional years were spent primarily in Brazil, where she competed in regional promotions and built a record that attracted international attention. Along the way, she suffered setbacks, including losses to future UFC fighters Maryna Moroz and Marina Mokhnatkina, but each defeat served as a learning experience. Silva gradually refined her approach, eventually trimming down to the flyweight division where she would earn her shot at the UFC.
Karine Silva Career
Early Career (2013–2018)
Karine Silva’s professional mixed martial arts career began in 2013, and she quickly established herself on the regional Brazilian circuit. She became a prominent figure under the Aspera Fighting Championship banner, where she captured six victories and headlined AFC 20 with a first-round armbar win over Leticia Oliveira Ribeiro. Her only early loss came against Maryna Moroz at XFC International 7 in November 2014, where she was submitted via armbar in the first round.
Following that defeat, Silva rebounded by winning her next four bouts, all by stoppage, demonstrating her finishing ability. In December 2017, she made her international debut at Fight Nights Global 81 in Russia, where she was submitted by Marina Mokhnatkina via kneebar. After a two-year layoff, she returned to action, dropped back down to flyweight, and knocked out Vitoria Ferreira in August 2019, reigniting her career trajectory.
Road to the UFC (2019–2022)
After her August 2019 knockout win, Silva embarked on a five-fight winning streak that positioned her for an opportunity with the UFC. Her chance arrived on Dana White’s Contender Series 45, where she faced Qihui Yan. Silva displayed strong defensive skills in the first round, neutralizing her opponent’s offense and landing shots from the bottom position. In the second round, she shifted the momentum, locking in a guillotine choke at 1:44 of the round to secure the victory and earn a UFC contract.
UFC Era (2022–Present)
Karine Silva made her UFC debut on June 4, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 207, where she faced Poliana Botelho. Silva won the bout via a brabo choke in the first round, an impressive performance that earned her the Performance of the Night award. Less than a year later, on June 3, 2023, she defeated Invicta FC champion Ketlen Souza via kneebar submission in the first round at UFC on ESPN 46, further cementing her finishing credentials.
On August 19, 2023, at UFC 292, Silva earned redemption by rematching Maryna Moroz, the only fighter to have previously defeated her in her early career. Silva submitted Moroz with a guillotine choke in the first round, completing a satisfying chapter in her career. She continued her momentum on April 27, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 55, defeating Ariane Lipski by unanimous decision in a hard-fought contest.
Silva faced a setback on November 16, 2024, at UFC 309, where she lost to Viviane Araújo by unanimous decision. She returned to the win column on August 16, 2025, at UFC 319, when she defeated Dione Barbosa by unanimous decision after JJ Aldrich withdrew from the scheduled bout. However, she dropped decisions in her next two appearances, losing to Maycee Barber at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, and to Jasmine Jasudavicius at UFC Fight Night 273 on April 18, 2026.
Style and Strengths
Karine Silva is widely regarded as a submission specialist with a dangerous ground game, anchored by her black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Her orthodox stance, combined with a 170 cm reach, allows her to close distance effectively and threaten with chokes and joint locks. Her ability to capitalize on opponent mistakes, whether through a brabo choke or a guillotine, has defined many of her most memorable finishes inside the cage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Silva’s most notable achievements is earning a UFC contract through Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, followed immediately by a Performance of the Night award in her UFC debut against Poliana Botelho. Her first-round guillotine choke win over Maryna Moroz at UFC 292 served as a career highlight, avenging an earlier loss. Climbing into the UFC women’s flyweight top ten rankings by April 2026 marks another significant milestone in her professional journey.
Karine Silva Career Wins
Karine Silva has compiled an impressive list of victories across multiple promotions, with a finishing rate that highlights her grappling expertise. Her wins span regional Brazilian events, international appearances, and the UFC stage, where she has consistently sought to end fights early.
UFC Highlights
In the UFC, Silva has secured notable wins over Poliana Botelho, Ketlen Souza, Maryna Moroz, Ariane Lipski, and Dione Barbosa. Her first UFC victory came via brabo choke against Botelho at UFC Fight Night 207 in June 2022, earning her a Performance of the Night bonus. Her most recent UFC win was the unanimous decision over Barbosa at UFC 319 in August 2025, snapping a short skid and demonstrating her ability to adapt her style.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Silva captured six wins under the Aspera Fighting Championship banner, including a first-round armbar finish over Leticia Oliveira Ribeiro in the AFC 20 main event. Her five-fight winning streak leading up to her Contender Series appearance featured multiple stoppages and showcased her finishing instincts. Her early career victories laid a strong foundation for her eventual breakthrough onto the sport’s biggest stage.
Karine Silva Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Karine Silva’s path to professional fighting was largely self-driven, as she did not have family support, either emotionally or financially, during her early years. She left her hometown of Dourados and her family’s orbit to pursue martial arts, working multiple jobs to sustain her training. This independent spirit has been a defining characteristic of her career trajectory.
Personal Life
Silva currently resides in Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil, where she trains with the Fighting Nerds team. Her nickname, “Killer,” reflects her aggressive and determined approach inside the cage. Publicly available information regarding her marital status, children, or partner is not confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Karine Silva’s 2025 season was a mixed chapter in her UFC run, marked by one win and one notable loss. She opened the year having dropped a unanimous decision to Viviane Araújo at UFC 309 in November 2024, but quickly returned to the win column at UFC 319 in August 2025. Originally scheduled to face JJ Aldrich, Silva ultimately fought Dione Barbosa after Aldrich’s withdrawal, earning a unanimous decision victory that reaffirmed her position in the flyweight division.
Her momentum was halted at UFC 323 on December 6, 2025, when she faced Maycee Barber and lost by unanimous decision. Despite the result, Silva remained active and continued to compete at a high level, demonstrating the resilience that has defined her career. Her 2025 performances kept her within striking distance of the division’s elite.
Looking ahead, Silva’s position in the UFC women’s flyweight top ten rankings suggests she remains a relevant contender in the 125-pound class. With her grappling pedigree and finishing ability, she will look to rebound from late-2025 setbacks and re-establish herself as a threat in the division. Her continued work with the Fighting Nerds team in Curitiba is expected to play a central role in her next phase of competition.
