Macy Chiasson breaks down UFC 303 opponent Mayra Bueno Silva

LAS VEGAS – Macy Chiasson was impressed with her UFC 303 opponent Mayra Bueno Silva's early performance in the bout but felt something was missing to finish the fight.

Chiasson (9-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC), the winner of Season 28 of The Ultimate Fighter, believes he noticed a mental weakness in Bueno Silva (10-3 MMA, 1 draw, 5-3-1 UFC) when he fought Raquel Pennington for the vacant bantamweight title at UFC 297 in January.

While Chiasson praised Bueno Silva's approach early in the bout, he questioned what could have happened as the fight progressed and has in mind what could happen if they meet inside the cage on the main card of UFC 303 at T-Mobile Arena.

“The first few rounds, like I've always seen her fights, are really exhilarating,” Chiasson told reporters at media day for UFC 303. “She's kind of crazy, she dictates the pace and she goes for exactly what she wants, but I think what I've found is that it has a lot to do with her mindset. I don't think she's in the right mindset right now.”

“I think she was in pretty bad shape. It was obvious in the fourth and fifth rounds of the fight. She was lying on her back in a title fight. I've heard people say she had a ruptured eardrum, and I understand that. You have to mitigate the injury and do what you can in the fight, but I think in a title fight you have to be hot.”

Chiasson will be looking to continue his winning streak with a win at UFC 303, which would certainly put him on the list of contenders for a title shot.

“I know I can compete with these kids,” Chiasson said. “I have the ability and the talent to go out there and beat anyone in front of me. It's just a matter of connecting my mind and my body.”

“…Mick (Maynard) and I have had a lot of talks about the possibility of winning the title and stuff, but I'm trying not to get ahead of myself. My main focus is to just focus on the here and now and not think about the outcome.”

For more on the card, check out MMA Junkie's UFC 303 event hub.