Bueno Silva Defeats Holm, Eyes Title Shot

Mayra Bueno Silva made a resounding statement in the UFC women’s bantamweight division with an impressive victory over former champion Holly Holm. The retirement of dominant champion Amanda Nunes had left a void in the division, but Silva has emerged as a promising contender to fill that gap.

The main event of UFC Fight Night saw Silva (10-2-1) submit Holm (15-7) with a standing guillotine choke in the second round. Holm, at 41 years old, left her neck exposed while attempting to take Silva down along the fence, and Silva capitalized on the opportunity. She swiftly applied the choke and forced Holm to tap without even needing to bring her to the ground.

Following her impressive win, the 31-year-old Brazilian fighter wasted no time in calling out Julianna Peña for the vacant 135-pound title. Silva expressed her deserving of the belt, emphasizing her ability to finish fights and provide entertainment to the fans. She proclaimed her dedication to winning the belt for her country and in honor of Amanda Nunes, the former champion.

Silva’s victory over Holm marked the biggest triumph of her UFC career, while simultaneously handing Holm a significant setback. Holm, ranked third in the bantamweight division, had a chance to secure a title fight with a win. Having experienced four of her previous six UFC losses in title fights, Holm was aiming for another shot at the title late in her career. However, she struggled to implement her game plan against Silva.

Holm initially tried to work Silva against the fence and land strikes to the body, but Silva showcased her resilience and power. Silva countered Holm’s offense with a left hand and a hard right elbow in the first round. The Brazilian fighter has now finished her last three opponents and shares the longest active win streak of four wins in a row with Raquel Pennington, the second-ranked bantamweight. Silva also tied Ronda Rousey for the most submission wins in women’s bantamweight history with three.

The UFC has yet to announce a concrete plan for the vacant bantamweight title since Nunes’ retirement. Silva joins Peña and Pennington as strong contenders for the opportunity. Holm’s record now stands at 1-2 in her last three appearances, posing questions about her future in the division.

With her impressive performance against Holm, Mayra Bueno Silva has firmly established herself as a rising star in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. The Brazilian fighter’s submission victory and call-out of Julianna Peña indicate her readiness for a shot at the vacant title. As the division seeks new blood in the absence of Nunes, Silva’s dynamic finish and determination have placed her squarely in the spotlight.

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