Macy Chiasson sees herself in title contention after UFC 303 win, open to Kayla Harrison bout

LAS VEGAS – Macy Chiasson believes she’s nearing a title shot and just needs a few more results to get it.

The Ultimate Fighter 28 winner thinks she’s entered title contention following her most recent victory. Chiasson (11-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) defeated Bueno Silva (10-4-1 MMA, 5-4-1 UFC) by TKO (doctor’s stoppage) on the main card of Saturday’s UFC 303. Now on a two-fight winning streak, the 32-year-old fighter thinks it’s just a matter of winning one or two more bouts before the UFC comes calling with a championship fight.

“I hope so, and I feel like I am (one or two wins away from a title shot),” Chiasson told reporters at the UFC 303 post-fight press conference. “I feel like I’ve put in the work, and I’m exactly right where I’m supposed to be. Mick Maynard and Dana (White) have taken great care of me, so whatever they want next for me, I want it.”

There have been rumblings that Raquel Pennington will defend her women’s bantamweight belt later this year against former champion Julianna Peña. Although it’s not official, Chiasson is open to serve as a backup for that fight or take on Kayla Harrison, who’s also angling to get a crack at the belt.

“Potentially, yeah,” Chiasson said when asked about a fight with Harrison. “It’s been in talks, obviously. I have a few ideas of who she should fight before me, but like I said, the UFC has taken a lot of care for me, so whatever Dana and Mick want for me, I want in.”

Chiasson took almost two years away from the sport back in 2022, and she belives that time off has helped her elevate her game. She’s excited to see what this latest version of her will bring to the table.

“I needed time off to eat more calories,” Chiasson said. “Making 135 was horrific. I was running 40 miles a week on top of doing camps, and I was just deteriorating. My mental health started slipping, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to come back to fighting. There was a moment I thought I was done. That was kind of rock bottom for me, and I think moving through that and working through all the kinks, it’s really what had gotten me to where I’m at now.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 303.