MMA Fighter Bueno Silva Returns to Flyweight, Plans Parenthood with Wife

SAO PAULO, Brazil — UFC fighter Mayra Bueno Silva, known as “Sheetara,” is making a dramatic return to the women’s flyweight division while simultaneously embarking on a deeply personal journey to start a family with her wife, Gloria de Paula. The 33-year-old Brazilian fighter, who last competed for the UFC bantamweight title in January 2024, is set to face Jasmine Jasudavicius on Saturday at the anb Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Silva, who has been open about her struggles and triumphs in the octagon, revealed that her decision to return to Sao Paulo, her home state, was driven by her desire to start a family. “We’re going to be moms,” Silva told MMA Fighting. “We’ll start the in vitro fertilization process and be close to family, close to home and our moms, because it’s a hard process for Gloria while I’m in camp. I want her to be as comfortable as possible and surrounded by love.”

Silva and de Paula, who have been together since August 2016, are now planning to have a baby through IVF. Silva emphasized that her wife will be the first to carry their child, with plans for Silva to get pregnant in the future. “Gloria will get pregnant now, and in the future, it’s my turn,” Silva said. “I really want to get pregnant. My dream as a child was to get married and become a mom.”

Silva’s return to the flyweight division marks a significant shift in her career. After a challenging stint at bantamweight, where she fell short in a title fight, Silva is seeking new challenges and motivation. “It’s the fun of starting something new in a quest for a belt, something that lights up a fire in me again,” she said. “Can I do it? Can I go after another belt? It’s hard, but it lights up a cool fire in me, it keeps me alive.”

However, the weight cut to 125 pounds has not been easy. Silva recalled the difficulties of her last flyweight bout, a decision loss to Manon Fiorot in Las Vegas, which she described as “the worst fight of my life.” “I had to cut weight twice because Fiorot had COVID and postponed the fight,” Silva said. “It was very sad to me. That’s when I had a concussion because of the dehydration. It was a horrible fight.”

Despite the challenges, Silva remains focused on her upcoming fight against Jasudavicius, a grappling specialist who has won her last three fights. “We have similar styles, she’s a grappling finisher and so am I,” Silva said. “I love Jasmine. We’ve trained together at American Top Team, and she’s sensational. But she’s good at something I’m excellent at, which is finishing fights. The match-up is bad for her, I think.”

Silva’s training camp for this fight was held in Sao Paulo under the guidance of coaches Pablo Sucupira and Marcelo Brigadeiro, with de Paula providing unwavering support. “She’s always by my side,” Silva said. “Without her, my fight camps don’t work.”

As Silva prepares for her return to the flyweight division, she remains ambitious and determined. “I will have a war against Jasmine,” she said. “My plan is to have my hand raised at the end. Then I want to fight someone who’s ranked even higher. I’m chasing after the flyweight belt.”