UFC Fight Night: Holm v Beuno Silva main event picks – July 15

Holly Holm and Mayra Bueno Silva will be vying for contender status when they clash at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas this weekend. The retirement of Amanda Nunes has opened opportunities in the women’s bantamweight division, and this match-up will serve as an eliminator as the rankings are reconfigured.

Holly Holm v Mayra Bueno Silva fight preview

Holly Holm vs Mayra Bueno Silva

Holly Holm (15-6-0) has hovered around the top of the women’s fight game since 2015, when she spectacularly captured the bantamweight belt with a second round KO of Ronda Rousey. The 41-year-old has endured some rough patches along the way, including three successive losses in 2016 and 2017, but she is 3-1 from her last four appearances and is the No.3-ranked athlete in the 135-pound division.

The recent retirement of women’s GOAT Amanda Nunes opens the door for Holm to muster one final tilt at UFC gold before she too hangs up the gloves. The fighters met in 2019 with Nunes landing a first-round knockout to retain her belt and force Holm into a gatekeeping role. With her breadth of octagon experience, Holm is a smart fighter who can out-think and out-strike almost any opponent. She will be looking to exploit that experience advantage here.

Mayra Bueno Silva (10-2-1) has fought eight times at UFC level with five wins, two losses, and one draw to show for her efforts. She has won three fights on the trot and looks ready for a shot at contender status. The Brazilian is an excellent grappler with seven submission wins on her record and will be keen to take this contest to the mat and avoid the superior striking of Holm.

Bueno Silva will face a two-inch height disadvantage while giving up nearly four inches in reach, so she cannot hope to match the former world champion in a boxing-style fight. She will need to close the distance and use her low centre of gravity to take Holm down where arm bar and other submission opportunities can be pursued.

Holm v Bueno Silva UFC betting predictions

This fight will be a true clash of styles. If Holm can keep the action standing and work her superior boxing, she should get her hand raised; however, if Bueno Silva lands an early takedown, her BJJ skills can earn her the victory. We are tipping a changing of the guard and hoping the Brazilian can impose her gameplan on this contest.

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