UFC ON ESPN 49: Holly Holm vs Mayra Bueno Silva 07/15/2023 Fight Odds, Predictions and Preview

UFC ON ESPN 49: Holm vs Bueno Silva 07/15/2023 – Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm and Mayra Bueno Silva square off on Saturday, July 15, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The five-round clash is the main event of the UFC on ESPN 49 card. The fight is expected to bring major implications in the 145-pound division. Both fighters are coming off wins with Holm beating Yana Santos in her last fight.

On the other hand, Bueno Silva is coming off a two-round submission victory over Lina Lansberg in February. Both fighters are in the Top 10 of the UFC women’s bantamweight rankings. Online UFC picks favor the veteran Holm due to her vast experience in big-time fights. However, Bueno Silva has proven her worth and a win would help her status in the division.

No slowing down!@HollyHolm vs @MayraSheetara headlining #UFCVegas77 this Saturday 👊 pic.twitter.com/Ju6BzgaMSE

— UFC (@ufc) July 10, 2023

Main Card

Holly Holm

Holm (15-6, 8-6 UFC) is having a mini-surge that solidified her status in the women’s bantamweight class. The 41-year-old fighter won three of her last four fights over Raquel Pennington, Irene Aldana and Yana Santos. The sudden resurgence catapulted her to No3 in the 135-pound category. The former women’s boxing champion is using her skills in the sport to secure valuable points per round in the UFC. She also has the cardio and durability to withstand punishment. Holm has only been knocked out or submitted two times in her MMA career.

Eight of her victories were by knockout and the rest were decisions. In the striking game, Holm has averaged 3.17 significant strikes landed/minute at a striking percentage of 40%. She has been elusive against her opponents, allowing 2.77 strikes/minute. Her defense rate is 56%. In terms of grappling, Holm is averaging 0.92 takedowns per 15 minutes despite having a 31% success rate. As a fighter who puts a premium on striking, it is understandable that Holm has a low submission rate (0.06/15 minutes). However, her takedown defense rate is above average at 78%.

Mayra Bueno Silva

Bueno Silva (10-2-1, 5-2-1, UFC) has become one of the most exciting women’s bantamweight prospects since returning to the division in April 2022. The Brazilian has strung up three consecutive wins, which included two submission wins over Stephanie Egger and Lina Lansberg. The victories placed the Uberlandia native in the Top 10 of the women’s bantamweight rankings. A resounding win against Holm would likely move Bueno Silva up to the Top 5.

Stats wise, the Brazilian has seven wins via submission and registered one knockout. She has not been knocked out or submitted, as her two losses were by decision. Bueno Silva averages 4.2 significant strikes landed per minute and her significant strike accuracy is 54%. She has absorbed 4.71 strikes per minute but her defense rate is 58%. Bueno Silva normed 0.38 takedowns per 15 minutes and her accuracy rate is 50%. Her takedown defense is 67% and her submission rate is 1.51 per 15 minutes.