Women’s Flyweights
NR | Manon Fiorot (7-1, 2-0 UFC) vs. NR | Mayra Bueno Silva (7-1-1, 2-1-1 UFC)ODDS: Fiorot (-220), Bueno Silva (+180)
Fiorot has been one of the breakout newcomers for the UFC in 2021, and she gets her toughest test yet in this pairing. Fiorot was intriguing but unproven heading into her UFC debut in January. While the Frenchwoman certainly lived up to her “Beast” nickname previously, those performances came against competition that could easily be overwhelmed. It has been a similar story through two UFC bouts. Victoria Leonardo and Tabatha Ricci were each game opponents and a step above what Fiorot had faced before, but she was still the much more powerful physical force and essentially able to run shop before scoring a finish. Up next for Fiorot is Brazil’s Silva, who should make her work for any success she enjoys.
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Silva is far from the cleanest fighter, but she brings an impressive level of aggression to her bouts, whether it is winging powerful punches or hunting for submissions every time she locks up with her opponents. It is the latter area where “Sheetara” has found her most success in the UFC thus far, as each of her UFC wins saw her suddenly turn things around for a first-round armbar finish. That is also her path to a win here. Silva has been controlled by opponents much less imposing than Fiorot, so it is just a matter of if the Frenchwoman lets her defenses down enough to get caught by one big moment of offense, either on the feet or on the mat. However, it does seem likeliest that Silva’s aggression will just run her into the teeth of Fiorot’s offense, even if the Brazilian does seem durable enough to drag the favorite into her deepest waters yet. The pick is Fiorot via decision.
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