UFC 297: Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva Live round-by-round updates
The co-main event at UFC 297 features the women’s bantamweight title clash between the No.2-ranked Raquel Pennington and the No.3-ranked Mayra Bueno Silva.
The title has been left vacant since the widely regarded women’s MMA GOAT Amanda Nunes retired from the sport at UFC 289 last year.
Pennington (15-8) will be hunting for redemption this weekend, seeing as her first attempt at claiming the 135-pound gold ended in a disappointing fifth-round TKO loss against 'The Lioness'. However, she has been on a hot streak and has gone undefeated in the last four years.
The 35-year-old American boasts wins against numerous women’s MMA elites, including Irene Aldana, Miesha Tate, and Jessica Andrade.
After a series of mixed results early in her UFC career, Silva has risen to the top of the division, going undefeated in all of her fights since 2022. While she lacks wins against the same caliber of fighters as her opponent, her recent hot streak has swayed the betting odds in her favor.
Similar to Pennington, the Brazilian will also be hunting for a dominant win this weekend, especially since her last outing against Holly Holm was overturned to a no-contest after a failed drug test.
Per the UFC’s official website, 'Sheetara' is a -166 favorite over Pennington (+140 underdog) for the match-up.
Don't miss the live coverage and play-by-play updates on Sportskeeda MMA as these two bantamweights clash in the octagon at UFC 297.
UFC 297: Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
Round 1:
Pennington gets things started with a flurry of punches, closing the distance to her opponent. Silva's calf kicks are troubling her opponent on her lead leg. The Brazilian connects a few shots from the clinch.
The first takedown of the fight comes as Silva puts her opponent down on the canvas and takes her back. She is threatening a rear-naked choke. Pennington is back on her feet, but 'Sheetara' is holding herself up behind her opponent.
Silva pulls her foe back to the canvas to close out the round. A good round for the Brazilian.
Round 2:
Pennington dials up the intensity, chasing her opponent with a flurry of punches. However, once again, she is stopped in her tracks with a well-placed calf kick. Silva then pushes her to the cage, hunting for a takedown.
Pennigton swings wildly and connects multiple shots to Silva's head. The Brazilian weathers the storm and once again puts her opponent against the cage. As the pair separate, 'Rocky' lays it on her opponent, punishing her with straight punches and elbows.
Silva seems to be in trouble. The Brazilian resets, clinching her opponent.
Silva takes Pennington's back and tries to sink in a rear-naked choke. When the submission attempt fails, Silva forces her opponent to the mats to close out the round.
Round 3:
'Rocky' goes on the offensive to start the round, but Silva quickly makes it a grappling battle, once against forcing her opponent against the fence. The Brazilan takes her opponent down, but Pennington quickly gets back to her feet.
A lot of this fight has taken place against the fence. As the pair separate, Silva sneaks in a few elbows. 'Rocky' puts her foe on the canvas but quickly gets back up, welcoming Silva to the feet.
With under a minute to go in the round, Silva seems to be labored. Pennington puts her opponent back on the canvas. It looks like she is trying to finish the fight on top. Round 3 ends with 'Rocky' maintaining top control.
Round 4:
Sensing her opponent is gassed, Pennington dials up the intensity. While she connects a few shots, Silva quickly clinches her up. At this point, even in grappling scenarios, the Brazilian seems uncomfortable, finding it hard to take down her foe.
Silva kicks out her opponent's feet from behind and quickly secures a rear-naked choke. Showing heart and grit, Pennigton weathers the storm and gets herself out of the precarious position.
Pennington gets top control. However, Silva is trying to lock in a triangle from the bottom. 'Rocky' punishes her opponent with ruthless ground and pound. Round 4 seems to be in the bag for Pennington.
Round 5:
Here comes the final round. Silva seems gassed out. The fresher Pennington comes out aggressive, connecting multiple punches to the head. As the pair clinches up against the cage, 'Rocky' secures a takedown and gains top control. Pennington is trying to finish the fight via an arm triangle choke.
With a minute left on the clock, 'Rocky' gives up on the choke and employs vicious ground and pound. The American gets back to her feet and employs numerous kicks to her opponent's legs. However, an exhausted Silva seems to have accepted her fate and seems to have decided against getting back to her feet.
Official decision:
Raquel Pennington def. Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision (score cards 49-46, 49-46, 49-45)
Raquel Pennington captures the UFC women's bantamweight championship.