MIAMI – Mayra Bueno Silva had always dreamed of holding UFC gold in the women’s flyweight division, but that dream has now come to an end.
Starting her UFC career at 125 pounds, Silva (10-5-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) moved up to women’s bantamweight and worked her way to a title bout with Raquel Pennington in January 2024, which she unfortunately lost. Following another defeat, she made the decision to return to the lower weight class.
However, her return to flyweight did not go as planned as she suffered a loss to Jasmine Jasudavicius at UFC Fight Night 250 in February. Now on a four-fight winless streak, Silva believes that her future lies in fully committing to the bantamweight division.
“My last fight showed that flyweight is not the right division for me,” Silva told MMA Junkie. “I am better suited for bantamweight, where I feel happier and stronger. While I had dreams of fighting for the flyweight title, I have come to realize that it’s not the right path for me.”
Looking ahead and eager to get back on the winning track, the 33-year-old Silva is aiming for a significant matchup. She has her sights set on facing former title challenger Irene Aldana (15-8 MMA, 8-6 UFC) and hopes to compete at the annual Noche UFC event in September.
“I have requested a fight with Irene Aldana for September,” Silva said. “It would be a tough matchup as she is a skilled boxer, but I am ready for the challenge. If given the opportunity by the UFC, I am excited to face her and showcase my skills. I am targeting either September or November for this fight.”
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.