SÃO PAULO — Mayra Bueno Silva is targeting a September return to the octagon, and she has volunteered to go to enemy territory.
The one-time UFC title contender told MMA Fighting she has reached out to the UFC asking for a bantamweight clash with Irene Aldana at UFC 320, the next edition of the Mexican-themed pay-per-view Noche UFC in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Sept. 13.
“Our plan is to fight at the Noche UFC card, and we’re waiting for what the UFC wants to do,” Silva said. “If everything goes right, we’ll be fighting at Noche UFC. We’re calling for this very, we’re insisting on the idea, so let’s see. It’s UFC’s decision.”
“Sheetara” will return to bantamweight after losing to flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius in her most recent bout. Silva lost her past three in the company since choking out Holly Holm, including a title bout with Raquel Pennington.
Aldana, on the other hand, has gone 1-1 since coming up short versus then-champion Amanda Nunes in June 2023. The 37-year-old veteran pocketed a Fight of the Night bonus for her victory over Karol Rosa in late 2023, but dropped a decision to Norma Dumont this past September.
“I think we’d break each other in there,” Silva said of a fight with Aldana. “I think it would be a bloody fight like every Irene fight. I think we would put on a show for the fans in Guadalajara, if that’s what the UFC wants.”
Silva moved back to Sao Paulo and joined Fighting Nerds to plan the pregnancy of her wife — and UFC veteran — Gloria de Paula, and sees the September date as ideal to avoid competing in the first trimester of the projected pregnancy.
“It’s a good date for me,” Silva said. “Irene is not on a good moment, she’s had some losses, and I’ve had bad results as well. This match-up that would be a great show. Irene always put on great fights for the UFC, and so do I, so it’s a good fight for us and the fans.”
