MMA: Da Silva secures Aussie title

Local MMA fighter Kate "Jiu-Jitseira" Da Silva (pictured) hopes her latest win in Australia will help land her a big fight in the United States. Photo / Stephen Parker

Mixed martial arts fighter Kate Da Silva is eyeing a crack at the big time after winning her first Australian title.

Da Silva, 33, who works full-time in Rotorua and is a mother of three, is ranked pound for pound the No1 women's fighter in New Zealand and Australia, according to Tapology.com.

She won her last fight in Melbourne early this month defeating another Kiwi Hera Tamati - claiming the Minotaur Australian flyweight title (under-56.7kg) with a triangle choke in the third round.

Da Silva said her main goal was to get a crack at the big time in the United States with a top MMA organisation.

"That's the dream to be in those big leagues," she said. "And I'm not getting any younger so I want to get in there."

Local MMA fighter Kate "Jiu-Jitseira" Da Silva (pictured) hopes her latest win in Australia will help land her a big fight in the United States. Photo / Stephen Parker

She said she was in talks with her manager overseas and would love a shot at Invicta FC, an all-female mixed martial arts organisation in the US, or Bellator MMA which is also based out of the US. Both organisations are widely regarded as one step below the UFC.

"Bellator have said they are keen on me but they want one more win first."

Late last year, Da Silva travelled to Brazil for a fight but lost on points, so she was rapt to win her latest fight in Melbourne.

"Coming off a loss I needed a win and I was very happy to get a submission as well," she said. "It was a tough fight. I knew I was more technical than her but she was really tough and kept coming for me."

Da Silva has a black belt in jiu-jitsu and now boasts a record of 11 wins and three losses as a professional in MMA. She said she was currently looking for her next fight but it was hard to find top opposition in New Zealand or Australia.

She is coached by her husband Roney Da Silva, originally from Brazil, and the couple live with their young family at Rotorua's Pacific MMA Gym. He is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA coach at the local gym, while his wife bases her training out of the gym.

Along with her Australian title, Da Silva also holds two New Zealand titles including the Princess of Pain bantamweight title and ICNZ featherweight title.

- A mixed martial arts fight night is being held at Pacific MMA Gym, on Maisey Pl, on Saturday with 11 fights on the card. Doors open at 6pm, fights start at 7pm. Tickets are $25 and can be bought at the door.