Meira Bueno Silva finishes with flyweight and wants Irene Ardana

MIAMI – Meira Bueno Silva always imagined holding UFC Gold in the women’s flyweight division, but now that dream is dead.

After starting her UFC tenure at 125 pounds, Silva (10-5-1 MMA, 5-5-1 UFC) moved to women’s bantamweight and ran to the points of the vacant title match against Raquel Pennington in January 2024. She was then defeated again and then decided it was time to return to weight class.

That didn’t work for the Brazilians. She was beaten by Jasmine JasDavitius at UFC Fight Night 250 in February. She suddenly finds herself in four fightless skids, thinking that the answer is fully tackling higher weights.

“In my last time at the Octagon, everyone thought flyweight would be difficult for me,” Silva told MMA Junkie. “When I first started the UFC, I fought in the flyweight division, but it’s not that good in the flyweight division. I have a dream of fighting in the flyweight division for the belt, but that’s not the case for me.

“I’m going back to weight class because I’m good at bantamweight. I need to focus on bantamweight now. In my house, I’m happier than (bantamweight). Everyone in my life is happier.

For the first time since February 2023, returning to the victory column with a look to the future, 33-year-old Silva is looking for a big fight.

Silva, the latest USA Today Sports/MMA Junkie Women’s Bantamweight ranking, sees former title challenger and sixth place Irene Aldana (15-8 MMA, 8-6 UFC) as his ideal opponent, suggesting a timeline for the annual Noche UFC event celebrating Mexico’s Independence Day in September.

“In September, I asked for Irene Aldana,” Silva said. “It’s a very fun battle. For me, she’s a good boxer so it’s very dangerous, but she’s hurt right now. I think I’m waiting for her.