MMA Preview – Holly Holm vs Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC on ESPN 49
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HOLLY HOLM VS MAYRA BUENO SILVA FACTS
When is UFC Vegas 77? Sunday 16th July, 2023 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Vegas 77? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Vegas 77? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Vegas 77 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC Vegas 77? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
HOLLY HOLM VS MAYRA BUENO SILVA LOWDOWN
Holly Holm (15-6) headlines her eighth UFC card which is an impressive feat although she is only 3-4 in those headliners. Her last title fight was back in 2019 against Amanda Nunes who head kicked out of the title picture in the first round. Holm recovered with two classic unanimous decisions over Raquel Pennington (2020) and Irene Aldana (2020) but then lost a dubious split decision to Ketlen Vieira (2022). However, she is coming off another routine unanimous decision which was over Yana Santos back in March.
Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1) steps up for her first headliner knowing an impressive performance could put her in the vacant title contention. She has only lost once in her last six which was a unanimous decision to Manon Fiorot (2021). That forced a move up to bantamweight where she has looked her best outpointing Yanan Wu (2022) and submitting Stephanie Egger (2022) and Lina Lansberg (2023).
HOLLY HOLM VS MAYRA BUENO SILVA PREDICTION
Holm will boast a three-inch reach and two-inch height advantage and we expect her to leverage this advantage to put on a typically classy performance. Her movement will be key remaining illusive for five rounds striking from the outside while staying out of range.
She will maintain the range and close it at the right time by tying Silva up in the clinch and even taking her down. She unsurprisingly has the striking advantage, but Bueno Silva has a clear edge on the ground. She has exceptional jiu-jitsu however her problem is that she only uses it if she ends up on the ground.
Bueno Silva also hits harder than Holm but does not have the ability to conduct where the fight goes. Holm on the other hand thrives in keeping the fight where she wants it even at the expense of any excitement.
We expect her to frustrate the Brazilian with her footwork and movement forcing her to swing wildly and miss. Bueno Silva has the ability to find a submission, but Holm has the ability to keep the fight on the feet and in the clinch avoiding all of her strengths.
Bueno Silva is a dangerous finisher and Holm is not getting any younger at 41 years old however, Holm’s tools are all still sharp enough to cruise a vintage decision.
Prediction: Holm via Decision
