LAS VEGAS – Macy Chiasson is close to winning a title and believes with just a few more results she can make it happen.
The Ultimate Fighter 28 winner believes his recent win has put him in title contention: Chiasson (11-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) defeated Bueno Silva (10-4-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) by TKO (doctor stoppage) on Saturday's main card of UFC 303. Currently on a two-fight win streak, the 32-year-old fighter believes he only needs to win one or two more bouts before the UFC calls on him for a championship fight.
“I hope so and I feel like I'm one or two wins away from (a title fight),” Chiasson told reporters at the post-fight press conference at UFC 303. “I've been working hard and I'm exactly where I need to be. Mick Maynard and Dana (White) take really good care of me, so whatever they want next, I want it.”
There are rumors circulating that Raquel Pennington will defend her women's bantamweight belt against former champion Julianna Peña later this year, and while it's unofficial, Chiasson could serve as the backup for that bout or face fellow belt contender Kayla Harrison.
“It's a possibility,” Chiasson said when asked about a fight with Harrison. “Obviously, we've had discussions. I have some ideas about who she should fight before me, but like I said, the UFC takes me very seriously, so whatever Dana and Mick want from me, I'd be a part of it.”
Chiasson has been away from the sport for almost two years now in 2022, but believes the time off helped her improve, and she is excited to see what this latest edition of herself brings.
“I needed time off to get more calories in,” Chiasson said. “Going below 135 was scary. I was running 40 miles a week on top of camp and I was getting weaker and weaker. My mental health started to deteriorate and I didn't know if I was going to come back to compete. There were moments when I thought I wasn't going to make it. That was rock bottom for me, but I think getting through that and overcoming all the issues is what got me to where I am today.”
For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 303 event hub.
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