Mayra Bueno Silva, a member of the American Top Team, is set to face Raquel Pennington for the 135-pound championship in the UFC 297 co-main event in Toronto, a title left vacant after Amanda Nunes‘ retirement in 2023.
Amanda Nunes, a former member of the American Top Team (ATT), ascended the bantamweight rankings to grab UFC gold. Now, it’s Mayra Bueno Silva’s turn. She’s another ATT talent with her eyes on the prize.
Silva’s up against Raquel Pennington. They’re battling for the 135-pound championship at UFC 297’s co-main event in Toronto. The belt’s up for grabs since Nunes retired in 2023.
Nunes had already left ATT during her MMA career’s twilight years. She started her own team in Florida. So, for ATT coach Marcos “Parrumpinha” DaMatta, it’s a sweet feeling to vie for a familiar title once more.
DaMatta opened up on MMA Fighting’s Trocação Franca podcast. He said, “It’s special for me, it’s special for American Top Team.” He reminisced about the belt that was theirs for a long time. Amanda lost it to Julianna [Peña], won it back, and then started her own team. But for DaMatta, the prospect of bringing the belt back to ATT is something special.
But the Pennington vs. Silva fight almost didn’t happen. Silva tested positive for ADHD medication ritalinic acid. The UFC’s former drug-testing partner, USADA, didn’t suspend Silva. However, the Nevada Athletic Commission slapped her with a 4.5-month ban.
DaMatta spoke highly of Silva’s mental strength. He said, “We knew she didn’t do anything wrong. She’s taken that medication since she was 10 years old.” He pointed out that Silva didn’t start taking the medication after joining UFC. In fact, she used it long before she started fighting. USADA knew it, tested her, and had no problem with it. But the commission did?
DaMatta expressed gratitude to Hunter Campbell, UFC’s Chief Business Officer. He said, “This guy was the one who said, ‘I’ll fight for her. I know she didn’t do anything wrong. I won’t remove her from the rankings, and I’ll work with the commission toward our goal, which is to have her fighting Julianna Peña for the belt in early 2024.'”
Silva’s win over Holly Holm was overturned to a no-contest due to the drug-testing failure. But she still got a title shot. DaMatta called the bantamweight contender “a warrior.” The team is hopeful that Silva will join Alexandre Pantoja, another ATT member, among UFC champions this weekend in Toronto.
DaMatta said, “We have high expectations, man.” He admitted to being superstitious and careful with his words. He doesn’t like to count the win and say, ‘She’s the favorite,’ none of that. He believes that in the ring, both fighters have equal chances to win. What makes someone a favorite is other people betting on one or the other. But they’re confident about this fight. Silva’s had a great training camp, and they’ve done everything they needed to do.