St. Catharines fighter and opponent to be first women to appear on UFC fight card in Saudi Arabia

Canadian flyweight Jasmine Jasudavicius will enter the record book Saturday when she and Brazilian opponent Mayra (Sheetara) Bueno Silva become the first female fighters to appear on a UFC card in Saudi Arabia.

"Once I heard about that, I was so inspired," Jasudavicius said. "To be able to be the first to be able to represent women's martial arts in another country like that, it's such an honour.

"I don't take it lightly. I really, really am appreciative. I want to make sure I put on a really good show and represent women's martial arts to the Saudi Arabian people."

Sarah (Cheesecake) Moras, another Canadian, became the first woman to win a UFC bout in the United Arab Emirates in September 2019 when she stopped Llana Jojua in the third round at UFC 242 in Abu Dhabi.

Jasudavicius has been briefed on local customs by the UFC, and advised to cover up to her elbows and past her knees. And to bring a scarf, to cover her hair.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing what the culture's like and experiencing it right then and there," she said. "I feel like it's going to be super-cool."

While excited at the prospect of being a trailblazer, Jasudavicius (12-3-0) is more interested in climbing the 125-pound rankings. The 35-year-old from St. Catharines, Ont., who has won three straight and six of eight UFC bouts, is currently ranked 12th among flyweight contenders.

Bueno Silva (10-4-1 with one no-contest) is ranked seventh among bantamweight contenders and fought for the vacant 135-pound title at UFC 297 in January 2024 in Toronto where she lost to Raquel (Rocky) Pennington. The Brazilian is moving back down to flyweight after a three-fight winless streak.

"She fought for the title before, so I assume they would have to put me up