Amanda Nunes’ retirement from MMA might’ve seemed like a big loss in the combat sports world, but for others, including UFC women’s bantamweight contender Mayra Bueno Silva, it was a gain.
With arguably the greatest female fighter of all time out of the picture, Bueno Silva (11-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) feels like there’s an opportunity for her to create her own legacy without being overshadowed by Nunes’ presence. Coming off a submission win over former champion Holly Holm this past weekend at UFC on ESPN 49 in Las Vegas, Bueno Silva feels like the top lady at 135 pounds.
“I showed everybody that I’m the new face for the bantamweight division,” Bueno Silva told MMA Junkie. “I need the title shot now.”
With Nunes gone, the chance to defeat the now-former two-division UFC champion left some potential challengers upset. Bueno Silva has all the respect for Nunes, but she’s not sad at all to have missed out on fighting her.
“No, of course not, Amanda would kill me,” Bueno Silva said, laughing. “Amanda, thank you so much, you finished now. Take care of your family, everything good. I promise that I take the belt, the Brazilian belt.”
In terms of what’s next, Bueno Silva wants to fight Julianna Peña for the vacant UFC women’s bantamweight belt. She knows Raquel Pennington has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Peña, but quite frankly, she thinks she’s by far the most attractive fight.
“Nobody wants to watch Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña,” Bueno Silva explained. “Nobody wants this. The fight to do now is Mayra Bueno vs. Julianna Peña because I showed my fighting is more exciting.”
