Holly Holm vs. Mayra Bueno Silva Prediction: Can Holm Put Up Another Win at UFC Fight Night?
This weekend's UFC fight night card features a headliner between the great Holly Holm and upcoming Mayra Bueno Silva. Can Holm put up another win for the history books? Handicapper Ben Rajavuori answers.
Ben Rajavuori - July 13, 2023, 4:16 PM EDT
7 minHolly Holm vs. Mayra Bueno Silva Prediction: Can Holm Put Up Another Win at UFC Fight Night?
This weekend's UFC fight night card features a headliner between the great Holly Holm and upcoming Mayra Bueno Silva. Holm is 3-1 in her last four fights and is the favorite in this fight, expected to derail Bueno SIlva's win streak of three fights, with two of those coming by submission. Holm is around a -180 favorite on average as of Thursday afternoon, and she may close as a larger favorite with public action behind her, but line movement in MMA can be tricky. One thing for sure is that Holm will not go out easily.
Holm vs. Bueno Silva Start Time and Where to Watch
When: Saturday, July 15, 2023
Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
Where: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, NV
Where to Watch: ESPN, ESPN+
Holly Holm vs. Mayra Bueno Silva Prediction
It's been nearly eight years since Holly Holm pulled off the upset of Ronda Rousey, but Holm is out to prove she is not done yet. While this may not be the most exciting main event available at this point, you cannot deny the name of Holly Holm. Sure, she lost her first title defense, but she has fought the top names in women's MMA history. When you think of the greatest legends in the sport like Amanda Nunes, Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko, and Ronda Rousey, they all have one thing in common - Holly Holm has shared the octagon with them. Even if she did go 1-3 in those four fights, still having those fights on your resume is enough to be proud of in my book.
While Holm has all my respect, I'm just not sure this line is justified at this point in her career. Holm is still an incredible striker, and she was one of the best strikers in women's MMA at one point, around the time of her Rousey win, but she has slowed a bit with her age. She is now 41, and although she is 3-1 in her last four fights, she got classic Holly Holm style of fights to notch those wins. This bout should be anything but that.
Mayra Bueno Silva is 31, entering her prime, and on a three-fight win streak. Her striking was very rudimental when she entered the UFC, and she still struggled with this even up until a few fights ago when she was outclassed by Manon Fiorot, but she has made strides in her striking during her win streak the past few years. Bueno Silva has a background in Jiu-Jitsu, but now that her striking is coming into form to make her more well-rounded, she is shaping up to become a highly-ranked bantamweight fighter. She currently sits 10th in the rankings, and this win would propel her to potentially even the top 5, as Holm is ranked third.
From a technical standpoint, Holm still has the edge. She is the most technical striker in the bantamweight division, and when Holm can fight at range and fight her fight, it's a wrap for her opponent. However, if Bueno Silva can make this fight ugly and force Holm to fight in the clinch or even on the ground, this has a Silva upset written all over it. Holm's last three wins - Yana Santos, Irene Aldana, and Raquel Pennington - all gave her the fight she wanted. A striking affair where Holm could work at range. Silva is an excellent striker from the clinch, and if she can force Holm against the fence, she can win those exchanges with strikes or even work to get a takedown and get top control. Bueno Silva will be the most significant submission threat Holm has faced in a while, and Bueno Silva will have a strength advantage in this fight.
If Bueno Silva tries to fight from range and pick her shots, Holm will win close rounds as she always has and get her hand raised once again. Bueno Silva can and has to make this fight a close-range fight. Luckily, that is Silva's specialty, and she can make Holm uncomfortable. Holm is still an elite striker, but she has lost just a bit of that edge now that she is 41. Holm is still rightfully a favorite in this bout, but the line is too wide. This is a winnable fight for Bueno Silva, and I'll take +150 all day on who I expect will be the more aggressive fighter pushing the action in this fight. Also, I know Holm only has one submission loss on her resume, but I would not be surprised to see Silva get a tap-out on Saturday at +350.
Holly Holm vs. Mayra Bueno Silva Prediction
Pick: Bueno Silva +150 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
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