The UFC world gained new newlyweds this month as bantamweight fighter Mayra Bueno Silva, higher often called “Sheetara,” exchanged vows along with her longtime associate Gloria de Paula. The Brazilian couple, who’ve been collectively since assembly at Chute Field health club in São Paulo again in 2016, celebrated their marriage in an intimate elopement ceremony in the US, captured by photographer Wal e De Paula and shared throughout social media.
Mayra Bueno Silva and Gloria de Paula Get Married
The pair tied the knot by means of an “elopement wedding ceremony,” outlined as a ceremony targeted on celebrating the couple’s love with simply the 2 of them. A photographer posted concerning the occasion, explaining that an elopement facilities on the couple’s connection relatively than a bigger celebration format. The photographer famous touring to the US to seize this second for each fighters.
Silva has been open concerning the position de Paula performed throughout tough private instances. In a 2023 interview with ESPN Brazil, Silva described battling despair and suicidal ideation a number of years in the past. Silva defined that de Paula sacrificed her personal preventing alternatives to take care of Silva throughout this era. De Paula stepped again from competing within the UFC partly because of the calls for of supporting Silva, which affected de Paula’s efficiency in her personal fights. Silva credited her associate with serving to her get well and ultimately attain the title image.
UFC Careers
Mayra Bueno Silva, 34, competes in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division and currently ranks 11th in her weight class as of November 2025. Born in Uberlândia, Brazil on August 22, 1991, Silva has built a career marked by strong submissions and notable victories.
She made her UFC debut in September 2018 against Gillian Robertson, winning via submission in the first round. Among her career highlights stands a 2023 victory over former UFC bantamweight champion Holly Holm, where Silva submitted Holm with a guillotine choke simply 38 seconds into the second spherical. That efficiency earned Silva recognition and positioned her as a high contender within the division. Silva went on to problem for the vacant UFC Ladies’s Bantamweight Championship towards Raquel Pennington at UFC 297 in January 2024 however misplaced by way of unanimous choice.
Gloria de Paula, 30, has also competed at the professional level in mixed martial arts. Born June 10, 1995, de Paula fought in the UFC’s strawweight division and holds a professional record of 6 wins and 7 losses across multiple organizations. De Paula’s path to MMA came through an unexpected route.
Daughter of photographers, she initially worked as a photo model in her youth. While a high school student dealing with academic pressure, de Paula began training in Muay Thai along with her mom to enhance her health. She turned so drawn to the game that she shifted focus from her entrance exams to pursue MMA critically. Her turning level got here at age 17 when she watched Ronda Rousey defend the UFC bantamweight title in simply 34 seconds, an occasion that impressed de Paula to turn out to be an MMA fighter herself.
De Paula earned her UFC contract after winning on Dana White’s Contender Series in November 2020, defeating Pauline Macias via unanimous decision. During her UFC run, she competed against fighters including Jinh Yu Frey, Diana Belbiţă, Maria Oliveira, and Karolina Wójcik. She won one bout against Diana Belbiţă in February 2022 but faced losses in other matchups. De Paula’s last recorded professional fight came in August 2024 when she competed at LFA 190, losing to Ashley Yoder via unanimous decision.
The two met while training at Chute Box Diego Lima, one of Brazil’s most respected MMA facilities. Located in São Paulo, Chute Box has built a reputation for developing world-class fighters and emphasizes Muay Thai striking combined with Brazilian jiu-jitsu and wrestling fundamentals. The health club has produced a number of notable UFC fighters and champions all through its historical past.
Silva has competed at both bantamweight and flyweight in the UFC, although she stays based mostly within the bantamweight division. Her current file reveals three consecutive losses: to Raquel Pennington in January 2024, Macy Chiasson in June 2024, and Jasmine Jasudavicius in February 2025. Regardless of these setbacks, Silva has earned Struggle of the Evening bonuses twice and Efficiency of the Evening bonuses twice all through her UFC run.
The couple have been active on social media, regularly sharing their lives with followers. Silva’s Instagram account has gained thousands of followers who follow her fighting career and personal updates. Both fighters continue their involvement in combat sports, with Silva actively competing in the UFC while de Paula has transitioned away from active competition in recent years.
