Mayra Sheetara sends message before title fight at UFC 297

Since Amanda Nunes retired in June this season, the post of bantamweight champion (61 kg) of Ultimate remains unoccupied.

The vacancy, interestingly, could be filled by another Brazilian athlete on January 20, 2024, at UFC 297. At the event based in Canada, Mayra Sheetara face Rachel Pennington and, just over two months before the confrontation, he exudes confidence for the most important fight of his career.

In an interview with Ag Fight, Sheetara extolled the credentials of Pennington, a veteran and former title challenger. However, despite preaching respect for the American’s legacy, the Brazilian analyzes that her rival’s fighting style is predictable inside the Octagon.

And, therefore, he projects a triumph via impactful knockout to crown an eventual title win.

“I think she’s a very tough opponent. It’s no wonder she’s been in the top 5 for years, she never left. Nobody ever managed to get her out of there (laughs). I think she’s very tough, but I think her game is very easy to read and I don’t think she’s added many weapons in all these years.”

“So this fight will be good (laughs). But I think it’s very tough. Our strategy is always the same, I’m going to knock her out. She’s tough to swing, but she’s never found these hands here, I’m going to knock her out.”

“The strategy is always the same: move forward and get tough. I’m going to knock out Raquel Pennington”, projected Mayra.

Next target set

If Sheetara’s plans come to fruition and the athlete from Minas Gerais has her hand raised at UFC 297, her next challenge as a possible champion of the company is already defined and has a first and last name: Julianna Peña.

Former champion of the category, ‘The Venezuelan Vixen’ has a heated rivalry with Mayra – who recently condemned the American fighter’s provocative stance.