Mayra Bueno Silva knows that her bout against Raquel Pennington is being downplayed by many. UFC CEO Dana White appears to be aware of this as well, pushing the two fighters to contradict the view of the MMA world by making the venue “go crazy” this weekend.
Bueno Silva has repeatedly admitted the case since last month, stressing that promoting the fight is a challenge, with Pennington not much of a talker, unlike Julianna Peña. After this, middleweight champ Sean Strickland lambasted the two female fighters, saying that he really didn’t plan on fighting this month or in Canada but claimed that he was “asked” to aid the event.
With Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes no longer in the division, it is undeniable that the promotion has to build a new name to rejuvenate the class weight. Needless to say, this will start with Pennington and Bueno Silva, who will be fighting for the vacant title. As such, White wants the two fighters to show off and change the view of the MMA community about their bout.
“You have to look at that division and think that Ronda Rousey built that division,” White told Sportsnet. “These girls need to step up and deliver on Saturday night. Listen, a lot of fights get overlooked; make them pay for it on Saturday night. Stand out, make the place go crazy, and deliver, and that’s what they need to do.”
