Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva 1/20/24 – As UFC 297 rapidly approaches, sporting eyes turn toward an exciting Women’s Bantamweight Title Bout featuring Raquel “Rocky” Pennington and Mayra “Sheetara” Bueno Silva for a memorable Women’s Bantamweight Title fight at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto Canada this Saturday. Fans and bettors alike are scrutinizing UFC 297 picks today with great anticipation towards this defining moment in women’s MMA.
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva 1/20/24 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, January 20, 2024, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
Raquel “Rocky” Pennington
Raquel “Rocky” Pennington has built her success in the UFC through a combination of hard work, technical skill and perseverance. Boasting an impressive record of 15-9-0, Pennington has shown herself to be both versatile and durable fighter. Her striking ability is notable, landing an average 4.02 significant strikes per minute with 50% accuracy rate while maintaining an absorbency rate of 62% in defense. Pennington utilizes her orthodox stance combined with her reach of 67 inches to effectively manage distance against opponents during her strikes exchanges – making her both versatile and durable fighter. Pennington’s grappling skills should not be overlooked either; she averages 0.93 takedowns every 15 minutes with 27% accuracy, showing her ability to remain unpredictable and surprise opponents. Pennington also displays resilience through her ability to bounce back after losses – evidenced by recent victory over Vieira that serves as proof of her perseverance and growth in octagon fighting.
Pennington’s experience in the cage gives her an advantage in terms of strategy. She knows when and how to pace a fight and seize opportunities; furthermore, her ability to absorb punishment without surrendering is crucial in her fights. Furthermore, her familiarity with high-stakes fights means she will likely remain poised throughout. Pennington will need to outmaneuver Silva using striking accuracy while dodging aggressive counterattacks while using defensive skills to offset his striking advantage and look out for opportunities to exploit Silva’s lower takedown defense rate before victory can be secured.
Mayra Bueno “Sheetara” Silva
Mayra “Sheetara” Bueno Silva enters the octagon as an unstoppable force, with an impressive record of 10-2-1 (1 NC). Her fighting style exemplifies an aggressive approach in both striking and grappling; Silva landing 4.16 significant strikes per minute at 54% accuracy rate. Pennington prefers keeping pressure on her opponents, yet at 57% her striking defense indicates a weakness that could be exploited. Silva absorbs 4.71 strikes per minute, significantly higher than Pennington. This could indicate her willingness to engage in exchanges that leave openings for counterattacks. Silva’s grappling credentials are equally impressive: her average submission average is 1.6 every 15 minutes. Silva boasts a 68% takedown defense rate, showing her ability to maintain control during grappling exchanges. This could prove crucial against Pennington given his lesser focus on submissions; Silva shares an orthodox stance similar to Pennington and faces only an inch reach disadvantage, which might require her to close more aggressively to implement her game plan effectively.
Silva will likely utilize her aggressive striking to quickly overwhelm Pennington early in the fight, landing powerful strikes at an increased rate and accuracy to establish dominance early on. Silva must remain mindful of Pennington’s effective strike defense and pressure-handling skills when engaging in strikes, while their superior submission rate and takedown defense present them with an opportunity if the fight moves to the floor. Silva must find the balance between aggression and tactical acumen to maintain control of her attack while not overextending herself and leaving herself vulnerable to counterattacks from Pennington. Success of their fight may rest upon Silva being able to use aggressive style while adapting to Pennington’s strategic fighting approach. Silva’s no-contest bout against Holm adds an unpredictable element to her performance, giving her a greater chance of victory in this high-stakes fight if she can remain composed and execute her game plan flawlessly.
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva Stats
| Pennington | Bueno Silva | |
| Wins/Losses/Draws | 15-9-0 | 10-2-1 (1 NC) |
| Average Fight Time | 14:09 | 8:31 |
| Height | 5′ 7″ | 5′ 6″ |
| Weight | 135 lbs. | 135 lbs. |
| Reach | 67″ | 66″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Strikes Landed per Min. | 4.02 | 4.16 |
| Striking Accuracy | 50% | 54% |
| Strikes Absorbed per Min. | 3.34 | 4.71 |
| Defense | 62% | 57% |
| Takedowns Average/15 min. | 0.93 | 0.35 |
| Takedown Accuracy | 27% | 50% |
| Takedown Defense | 63% | 68% |
| Submission Average/15 min. | 0.6 | 1.6 |
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva Betting Picks
This fight offers a stunning contrast in styles and strategies, pitting Pennington’s experience and striking precision against Silva’s aggressive offense and grappling dominance. Betting odds favor Silva (+157) slightly over Pennington (+137), giving him an edge; but don’t underestimate Pennington’s resilience or tactical acumen as she could adapt and counter Silva’s aggressive style for victory.
From the perspective of handicappers’ premium picks, Silva’s recent performances and her aggressive approach make her a strong contender. However, Pennington’s experience and strategic fighting style offer her a solid chance to upset the odds. It will likely come down to Pennington’s defensive capabilities against Silva’s striking and grappling aggression.
Free Pick: Mayra Bueno “Sheetara” Silva -157
Pennington vs. Silva at UFC 297 promises an exciting battle of fighting philosophies; experience meets aggression and resilience meets raw power. While Silva enters as the favorite, Pennington’s skill set and tactical approach cannot be overlooked; no matter who steps into the octagon on Saturday evening fans can be sure that it will provide them with a truly memorable fight experience!