Mayra Bueno Silva is set to fight Raquel Pennington for the vacant 135-pound title at UFC 297, and she is confident that she will prove herself as the best bantamweight in the world.
Mayra Bueno Silva is all set to prove she’s the best bantamweight in the world. She’s got her eyes on the prize at UFC 297.
She’s up against Raquel Pennington, a Brazilian standout. The two are battling for a vacant 135-pound title in the Jan. 20 co-main event in Toronto. Silva’s confidence is sky-high.
She’s studied Pennington’s past performances. Particularly, Pennington’s championship bout against Amanda Nunes at UFC 224. Silva doesn’t think Pennington will put up much of a fight.
Back in May 2018, Pennington was heard saying, “I’m done”. This was during the fifth round of a fight against Nunes. Nunes had dominated the fight up to that point.
Two and a half minutes into the final round, Nunes ended the contest. Silva remembers this well. She brought it up on The MMA Hour, questioning Pennington’s resolve.
Silva’s prediction? “In the first round, when I punch her hard, she’ll talk again: ‘I don’t want to fight anymore.’”
Pennington’s record after her loss to Nunes isn’t impressive. She lost two of her next three fights. However, she has since bounced back with five consecutive victories.
But Silva isn’t impressed. She points out that Pennington has often gone to the cards. 10 of Pennington’s 15 career wins have come by way of decision.
Silva questions Pennington’s resolve. She thinks Pennington doesn’t have the courage to fight. Silva loves fighting, punching, and takedowns. She believes Pennington prefers to hold in fights, not fight a clean fight.
Silva knows how to finish a fight. She has seven career submission wins in 14 pro bouts. She’s unbeaten at 135 pounds. She even finished Holly Holm, the former bantamweight champion, with a second-round ninja choke this past July. Although, this result was later overturned due to Silva testing positive for a banned substance.
When asked about her fight strategy, Silva had a clear vision. “Second round,” she answered. She’s aiming for a knockout blow.