Uncasville, CT — In her last fight, Bellator featherweight Dayana Silva battled to a split decision with former champ Julia Budd. Unfortunately for her, only one judge sided with Brazil’s Silva that night.
“The lesson that I took from that fight was to not leave it to the judges, to go in there and knock them out,” Silva told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview during the Bellator 262 media day. “I realized that I have to do more, and get some better performances and results.”
In fact, Silva’s last three losses have all been via split decision. More than any other fighter of late, she’s likely to have a little MMA judging anxiety.
“It’s always my thought to go in there and get the finish, but sometimes you have a tough opponent, and they can last a little longer.,” she admitted. That allows the fight to get close. “That sometimes happens in striking battles. But this time I hope I will be able to go in there and make it different.”
This time around, it’s Arlene Blencowe she’s up against, who is coming off a loss to champ Cris Cyborg. With Blencowe ranked second in the division, and a former title challenger herself, Silva believes a victory should put her at the title’s doorstep.
“I think it would be fair, because I just fought the number one, now I’m getting number two,” she stated. “So winning this fight, I believe I should be right there at the top of the weight class.”
Watch the full Bellator 262 media day interview with Dayana Silva above. The event takes place Friday, July 16 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
