TORONTO – For Mayra Bueno Silva, winning the vacant women’s bantamweight title at UFC 297 is about more than just getting recognition as one of the best fighters in the world.
“I want to change lives,” Silva told MMA Junkie on Monday. “I think this is my motivation (to win the belt) – to change lives. I want to change my community. For me, everything is about this. It’s not about UFC champion. It’s about Mayra as the champion will change lives.”
Silva (10-2-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) meets Raquel Pennington (15-8 MMA, 12-5 UFC) for the vacant belt left behind by Amanda Nunes when she retired from the sport in June. The matchup co-headlines Saturday’s pay-per-view main card from Scotiabank Arena, which follows prelims on ESPNews and ESPN+.
