While Mayra Bueno Silva’s first language is Portuguese, her message to Julianna Pena post UFC Vegas 77 required no interpretation.
Riding high on an unexpected submission victory over former champion Holly Holm, Silva retorted to Pena’s belittlement of her performance that night at UFC APEX. Upon being told about Pena’s tweet, instructing her to “fall in line,” Silva reacted with a mix of contempt and laughter.
“Ah-hah!” Silva chuckled. “She’s intimidated. She’s comical. Alright, I have a fondness for you Julianna, but I’ll obliterate you. I’ll obliterate you. … Observe my fight. Consider your own. Who emerged victorious? Ah, Julianna, remain silent.”
Pena, who saw her three-part saga with Amanda Nunes thwarted by the former dual-division champion’s retirement, declared that she would face both Silva and Raquel Pennington in a single night. Currently, Pennington holds the No. 2 spot in the UFC’s rankings, tying with Alexis Davis at No. 10 in the MMA Hook Global Rankings, and is considered a likely candidate for the upcoming title shot.
Silva dismissed the potential of a title bout between Pena and Pennington for the vacant belt.
“This fight will be disregarded,” she said dryly, inciting laughter from the present reporters at the post-fight press conference.
Her submission victory over Holm reaffirms Silva as a contender in the bantamweight division. She has triumphed in four consecutive fights, with her only defeats coming at the hands of Manon Fiorot and Maryna Moroz in flyweight bouts. In the process, she’s earned four performance bonuses.
“I’m elated,” Silva expressed. “I can’t comprehend what’s occurring today. It’s Holly Holm. I’m filled with emotions. I’m thankful for my life, for my team.
“God reassured me, ‘You’ll win this fight.’ I have immense faith in God. This week, I’ve been petrified of Holly, every single day. I’ve wept profusely. I doubted my chances in this fight. When I won…what? I won! That was my mindset.”
Regarding a potential face-off with Pena, who is making a comeback from a rib injury that replaced her with Irene Aldana in Nunes’ retirement bout at UFC 289, Silva shows no lack of confidence in her odds.
“Julianna, I hold you in esteem,” Silva stated. “But I will obliterate you.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UFC rivalry
Q: What was Mayra Bueno Silva’s response to Julianna Pena’s comments after UFC Vegas 77?
A: Mayra Bueno Silva responded to Julianna Pena’s comments with confidence, promising to “smash” her and highlighting her own performance compared to Pena’s. Silva expressed her belief in her abilities and dismissed the idea of a title fight between Pena and Raquel Pennington.
More about UFC rivalry
- UFC Vegas 77 Results: Mayra Bueno Silva Submits Holly Holm
- Julianna Pena’s Twitter
- UFC Bantamweight Rankings
- UFC Official Website
2 comments
silva’s win over holm was impressive, no doubt. she’s definitely a rising star in the bantamweight division. i hope she gets a title shot soon. pena better watch out, because silva means business!
silva’s confidence is off the charts! she’s got the skills to back it up too. i wouldn’t want to be in pena’s shoes right now. this rivalry is heating up and i can’t wait to see how it plays out in the octagon!