Sometimes, the Octagon can be a cruel mistress. At UFC Vegas 111, one fighter found themselves trapped in a brutal losing streak, unable to break free. The event, held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, featured a welterweight main event between unranked Randy Brown and first-time headliner Gabriel Bonfim. Despite some pre-fight criticism, the event kicked off with a bang, showcasing back-to-back submission wins from Daniel Marcos, boasting an impressive record of 18-1, and Sean Strickland's training partner, Zach Reese.
But the spotlight quickly turned to a former UFC title challenger, desperately seeking a turnaround after a string of defeats.
Mayra Bueno Silva's struggles continue. Having earned a shot at the vacant women’s bantamweight title in 2024 after submitting former champion Holly Holm in the first round, her victory was overturned to a no-contest due to a banned substance. She claimed the substance was from her ADHD medication.
Since then, Bueno Silva's luck has taken a turn for the worse. She has suffered losses against Raquel Pennington (in a title fight), Macy Chiasson, Jasmine Jasudavicius (at flyweight), and most recently, Jacqueline Cavalcanti.
In her return to the 135 lbs division, Cavalcanti dominated the fight, outstriking Bueno Silva across all three rounds and inflicting damage that left the former title challenger with a busted left eye. Cavalcanti secured a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti's Ascent. This victory marks Cavalcanti's eighth consecutive win, with a perfect 5-0 record inside the UFC Octagon. The 28-year-old fighter is currently ranked #11 in the world, while Bueno Silva, the woman she defeated, holds a spot in the top 10.
With this momentum, Cavalcanti is likely to face another top-10 contender in her next fight, potentially moving closer to a title opportunity with a few more wins.
What do you think? Do you believe Mayra Bueno Silva can turn things around? And how far do you think Jacqueline Cavalcanti can go in the bantamweight division? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
