This Brazilian Muy-Thai specialist packs a counterpunch
Though she has suffered recent losses, the Brazilian Dayana Silva has already made an impression in Bellator over the past few years
Photo Credit: Lucas Noonan, Bellator
Fighting out of an industrial suburb called Nova Iguaçu in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Dayana Silva (10-8-0) is a Muay Thai stylist and Jiu-Jitsu brown belt from the same fight team as UFC legend José Aldo (Nova União) one of the best professional MMA training camps in the world. She made her professional MMA debut in 2009 and is currently ranked number six in the Bellator Women’s featherweight division and number fourteen worldwide.
Silva got into mixed martial arts by accident when she was discovered for her natural abilities via a Muay Thai social project hosted by Nova União at her public high school. She made her professional debut shortly after at nineteen when she was invited at the last minute to compete against a much more experienced fighter. Her opponent Carina Damm already had fifteen fights under her belt when Silva made her debut.
Silva racked up seven wins and three losses in her early career on the regional scene, with all her fights coming against future UFC fighters. This momentum led to her being invited to compete on Dana White’s contender series against Gisele Moreira for a shot at a UFC contract, where she ultimately lost the bout via split decision.
A segunda luta do Dana White's Contender Series Brasil será entre as mulheres: Gisele Moreira enfrenta Dayana Silva. Acompanhe todas as emoções no Canal Combate. pic.twitter.com/3kOvuIiHsM
— αℓєx ✟ (@alexlimareal) September 7, 2018
Dayana Silva has suffered recent losses
Silva is still a bit of an underdog despite her ability. Bellator signed her to a three-fight contract just a little over a year ago after she became Shooto Brazil’s Women’s Lightweight champion, and since she’s already had four fights with the promotion, it’s not quite certain where her future lies. She most recently lost at Bellator 285 to Irish-born Leah McCourt at the 3arena in Dublin, and it was a momentous loss for her. She has now suffered defeats in three of her four appearances inside the Bellator cage and cannot afford another loss.
She’s facing an uphill battle, but I know she’s got that fight in her to keep going. While she may not be in the winner’s bracket, if you watch her fight you will see there is something very special about her. She held her own and didn’t leave the fight without doing damage and impressed me enough with her counters.
🔒 @leahmccourtmma vs. Dayana Silva is locked!#Bellator285 is at a special time this Friday!
🇺🇸 1pm PT – @SHOsports
🇬🇧 9pm – @BBCThree
🇮🇪 9pm – @VMSportIE pic.twitter.com/9R8Eh4DHWz— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) September 22, 2022
She hasn’t had a big win streak lately, but she’s a solid fighter with a lot of potential who almost always goes the distance. She deserves more recognition, and we look forward to watching her come back harder and work her way up in the rankings.
