Mayra Bueno Silva and Macy Chiasson meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 303 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 3-2
UFC main cards, 2024: 52-49-2
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson UFC 303 preview
Silva (10-3-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) returns for the first time since coming up short in her bid for the vacant bantamweight title. Silva lost a unanimous decision to Raquel Pennington at UFC 297, snapping a three-fight winning streak, not including a submission over Holly Holm that was later overturned to a no contest. … Chiasson (10-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) enters her second fight of the year as well, following a first-round submission of Pannie Kianzad in March. Winner of Season 28 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Chiasson will look to put together back-to-back wins for the first time since defeating Shanna Young in 2020 and Marion Reneau a year later.
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson UFC 303 expert pick, prediction
Filling out the main card is an affair at women’s flyweight between Silva and Chiasson.
Considering her unfortunate luck with fight cancellations, it’s nice to see Chiasson stay more active by making a relatively quick turnaround here.
Chiasson also appeared to better manage her weight cut last time out, which is a great sign for her potential future in this division. That said, I’m still not sure her size translates to staying power when the sparks start to fly.
The stock of Silva may be low after her disappointing bid for the bantamweight title earlier this year, but the fighter from Brazil apparently sustained an injury by the end of the first round (which could help explain some things).
Although I can still see a reality where the Fortis MMA product can use her size and skills to grind Silva against the cage regardless of her health, I suspect that Silva’s front-choke savvy could serve as a solid counter-grappling tool in this fight.
Add in the fact that Silva’s body and leg kicks should be especially live against Chiasson, and I can’t help but back the former title challenger to snatch up a submission on the American in round 2.
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson UFC 303 odds
Despite the oddsmakers opening the Brazilian as a bigger favorite, public money has pushed this fight to a pick’em, listing Silva at -113 and Chiasson -113 via FanDuel.
Mayra Bueno Silva vs. Macy Chiasson UFC 303 start time, how to watch
As the second main card bout, Silva and Chiasson are expected to make their walks to the cage at approximately 10:45 p.m. ET (7:45 p.m. local time in Las Vegas). The fight streams live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.
