UFC Vegas 77: UFC Apex; Las Vegas, Nevada
They say you can’t keep a good man down. Guess that goes for countries too. Because after a shocking finish, Brazil has another contender for UFC Gold. In her very first main-event slot, Mayra Bueno Silva made things look simple against former bantamweight champion, Boxing Hall Of Famer, Holly Holm.
While the finish came at just 38-seconds into round-two; both women had moments in the opening frame. Holm was more precise and landed more, but Silva was landing with bad intentions with both hands. Holm moved well side-to-side and pushed the action along the fence. But in the open it was Silva looking for the finish she had predicted all fight week.
With Holm again pressing the action to the cage for some dirty boxing, she went for a level change. That’s when “Sheetara” locked in the standing guillotine and forced the 41-year old to tap. The win; was Silva’s eighth submission win as she now rides a four-fight win streak. And after she called her shot saying:
“I want the belt. I deserve the belt”.
Although she has the aggressiveness it takes to win a title, whether she gets the chance for the vacant belt is another question. Wanting to follow in Amanda Nunes’ footsteps, and keep the bantamweight title at ATT with a Brazilian is her wish.
Brazil Has Another Contender… But Is She Ready
Yes she made it look easy against Holm. However; this WAS her first real test and a big jump in opponent skill. Plus the now 41-year old Holm, although still tough as nails is looking more and more like a gate keeper of the division.
Coming in Silva sat at ten in the rankings with Holm at three. Could the duo swap places? Sure. But; someone like Irene Aldana who can match the come forward pressure might be the true test to see if her wishes can become reality. Or is this mini-streak she has going is just a case of slowed talent coming back at her. Just one more test would show a lot more. Especially since her jiu-jitsu black belt wasn’t challenged.
To keep the ladies on the same schedule it could turn into a one night mini-tournament for the vacant belt, and a number one-contender. Either way the hottest fighter in the division is Raquel Pennington, and she should be the red corner for a title fight.
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