Natalia Alves, Brazil, 8-0
Pros:
-Good movement
-Sharp one-two
-Solid wrestling
-Excellent timing on level changes
-Fluid chain wrestling
-Heavy ground and pound
-Smooth transitions
-Heavy top control
-Effective kicking game
Cons:
-Striking defense at range
Alves had a strong 2024–2025 run after signing with LFA and going 3-0, with back-to-back wins over Nawira Ferreira and Aleksandra Savicheva suggesting she’s operating at a UFC level. The Fighting Nerds product is unbeaten at 8-0, with wins coming by KO/TKO, submission, and decision.
While her success has largely been built on dominant wrestling and grappling, Alves actually began her martial arts journey in karate. That background shows in her movement, sharp one-two combinations, and an effective kicking game. At range, she isn’t going to overwhelm opponents with a 5’1” frame, but she doesn’t let that stifle her either. Alves uses solid footwork, moves her head off the center line, and understands how to get inside by creating angles, catching kicks, and punching her way into range.
What truly separates her, though, is the wrestling. Alves has excellent timing on her level changes, a strong single-leg entry, and fluid chain wrestling. A national wrestling runner-up, she competes with real intensity, consistently advancing position and mixing in heavy ground-and-pound. Her jiu-jitsu is just as strong, with smooth transitions and solid top control.
Despite going to decisions twice in her last three fights, she’s always hunting the finish. Alves is a legitimate sleeper in this tournament who could surprise a lot of people if things break right for her
