In an attempt to earn another title shot, Holly Holm is set to headline the UFC’s event on July 15th against Mayra Bueno Silva in the bantamweight main event. Initially scheduled to face Miesha Tate, Bueno Silva will now take on the former UFC bantamweight champion and boxing Hall of Famer following Tate’s hand injury.
The matchup will precede the welterweight matchup between Rafael dos Anjos and Vicente Luque, which was expected to headline the event but may now take on a co-headlining role.
Since losing her title, Holm has struggled with her form, failing to win a second belt in the featherweight category before losing again in her return to 135 pounds. However, the 41-year-old has managed to maintain her ranking in the UFC’s bantamweight rankings with a unanimous decision win over Yana Santos at UFC San Antonio.
For Bueno Silva, this is a great opportunity to stake her claim for a title shot at 135 pounds, having won three consecutive fights in the bantamweight division, with the last two coming by way of finishes. Currently ranked No. 10 in the division, Bueno Silva will hope to continue her winning streak against Holm.
Other fights previously announced for the event include a heavyweight bout between Walt Harris and Josh Parisian, a women’s featherweight matchup between Norma Dumont and Chelsea Chandler, and a women’s bantamweight bout between Ashlee Evans-Smith and Ailin Perez.