Macy Chiasson gives her thoughts on her UFC 303 opponent Mayra Bueno Silva, and explains why she thinks her mental game needs work.
LAS VEGAS – Macy Chiasson is impressed with what her UFC 303 opponent Mayra Bueno Silva brings to the cage early in her fights, but believes there is something lacking in her complete game.
Chiasson (9-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC), winner of Season 28 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” thinks she noticed Bueno Silva (10-3-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) show some gaps in her mental game when she fought Raquel Pennington for the vacant bantamweight title at UFC 297 in January.
While praising Bueno Silva’s approach early in the fight, Chiasson questioned what happened as the fight wore on, keeping note of what could happen when they meet inside the cage on the main card of UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena.
“Just like I’ve been watching in all of her fights, her first round, first few rounds, are really exhilarating,” Chiasson told reporters at the UFC 303 media day. “I mean, she’s kind of crazy, and she puts a pace and she goes for exactly what she’s looking for. But I really kind of saw what I think is a lot to do with her mindset. I don’t think she has the right mindset right now.
“I think she’s kind of a mess. It showed in the fourth and fifth round of the fight. Like, you’re in a title fight and you’re laying on your back. I’ve heard some stuff that she like ruptured an eardrum – understandable. Injures, you have to mitigate and do what you can in a fight, but I think title fight, you have to bring the heat.”
Chiasson will look to make it back-to-back victories with a win at UFC 303. If successful, she knows her name will be on the shortlist for a title opportunity.
“I know I can hang with these girls,” Chiasson said. “I have the capability and the ability to go in there and take out anyone in front of me. It’s just connecting the mind and the body.
“… There’s a lot that I’ve talked to Mick (Maynard) about, and the potential along the lines for a title situation. But I’m trying not to get ahead of myself, because the No. 1 thing that I’ve really been focused on is just being in the moment and not thinking about results.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.
