Summary:
- Holly Holm fought and lost to Mayra Bueno Silva in July 2023
- Her loss was overturned by the NSAC as Silva failed a drug test
- Silva released statement on Instagram explaining her point of view on the matter
Ex-UFC bantamweight champ Holly Holm fought Brazilian Mayra Bueno Silva on July 15, 2023 at UFC Vegas 77 as both fighters were pushing to make a statement and push closer to getting a title shot at the UFC bantamweight championship.
Mayra Bueno Silva looked dominant in the fight and ended up submitting the former champ early in R2 by a standing ninja choke! Holm was very disappointed in her performance while Mayra Bueno Silva was ecstatic, claiming that she deserved a title shot next!
Mayra Bueno Silva got herself in trouble soon after as the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) flagged Silva for failing a drug test and said they had discovered ritalinic acid. Silva was quick to respond and claimed that she was taking medication to deal with her attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
However, she got herself in trouble as she did not have the necessary therapeutic-use exemption to take ritalinic acid. Silva claimed that she did not resort to drug use to cheat but US MMA fans and around the world were not buying it.
The NSAC has now confirmed that her submission win against Holly Holm will be turned into a no contest and that she will be suspended for 4.5 months retroactively which makes her eligible to return to the Octagon on Nov 29. The NSAC also fined Silva 15 percent of her fight purse which amounted to $11,250.
Given her suspension for a failed drug test, Silva is highly unlikely to get a shot at the UFC bantamweight title anytime soon. She is currently ranked number 6 in the division and will have to get another couple of wins under her belt before making a push for a title shot.
Silva thanked the UFC, her coaches and management for standing and believing in her during this entire ordeal.
In an Instagram post, Silva said
I am so happy that the NSAC understood the battles of mental health I overcome daily and that with this agreement they have acknowledged I was in no way, shape or form looking for a competitive advantage with the medication I take for my illness.
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