UFC Vegas 77 featured former UFC women’s bantamweight champ Holly Holm and rising title contender Mayra Bueno Silva. Many fans were apprehensive about it as Holm has perhaps lost her status as an elite fighter in the division, while Silva was yet to establish herself as a credible title challenger. However, that is no longer the case with her submission win over Holm in the recently concluded event.
However, the bout itself did not feature a lot of action that would make it a main event-worthy contest. According to UFC Stats, Holm landed 27 significant strikes out of an attempted 39 strikes, and in total, “The Preacher’s Daughter” landed 50 strikes out of an attempted 70 strikes. Mayra Bueno Silva, on the other hand, landed only 31 strikes out of an attempted 50 strikes. In terms of significant strikes, Silva landed only 20.
SHE GETS THE TAP!!!!!! 🤯@MayraSheetara is now officially in the mix at the top of the division! #UFCVegas77 pic.twitter.com/VjxwTzrI4z
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2023
On the ground, Holm also had the advantage as she had 3:05 minutes of ground control. Ultimately, it was Sliva who got the win with a single great move. She locked in a ninja choke right in the opening minute of the second round. Holm ultimately had no answer for it as she tapped out at 38 second mark of round 2. However, it seems like fans were not entertained by the contest and seemed happy to see it end.
Here are some reactions to the fight
It’s poetic that she lost while clinching against the cage.
— grunk (@bapagrunk) July 16, 2023
Hang the gloves Holly!!!
— Mizzy (@CowbellBlisters) July 16, 2023
What a fraud Holm is
— Tavinho (@dlafcp14) July 16, 2023
No more main events for her
— Will (@coachkush00) July 16, 2023
Holm looked every bit her age tonight
— tonio (@ANTONIOEESPARZA) July 16, 2023
Holly Holm is currently 41 years of age and seems to be slowing down according to the fans. However, Holm herself did not think that she would retire anytime soon. Ahead of her previous contest against Yana Santos, the former UFC champ revealed that she was still passionate about fighting and wanted to continue. So it will be interesting to see if the recent result causes her to change her opinion on the retirement matter or not.
Mayra Bueno Silva calls for a title shot after beating Holly Holm at UFC Vegas 77
The women’s featherweight and bantamweight divisions seem to be in jeopardy at the moment. After Amanda Nunes retired at UFC 289, the divisions currently have no champion at the top. While there were rumors that Ronda Rousey was coming back to regain the title, it ultimately turned out to be not true. Hence, with spots open at the top of the division, Mayra Bueno Silva called for a title shot.
However, Silva is currently sitting in the 10th spot in the division. While she will certainly jump up the rankings after beating the no. 3 ranked fighter in the division, she may have to wait for a title shot as Julianna Pena and Raquel Pennington are the no. 1 and 2 ranked fighters in the division respectively. So it will not be surprising to see them fighting for the vacant belt in the near future.
