Leah McCourt vs. Dayana Silva added to Bellator Dublin card on September 23.

Leah McCourt
Mandatory Credit: Bellator MMA

A featherweight showdown between division contenders, the #5 ranked, Leah McCourt, and the #9 rated, Dayana Silva has been added to Bellator 285 on September 23. from The 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland.

Making her second outing in the capital this year, McCourt, a native of Saintfield, suffered her first promotional defeat in February at the docklands venue, dropping a unanimous decision defeat against one-time title challenger, Sinead Kavanagh in a high-profile showdown.

For Silva, the Nova Iguacu native improved to 10-7 as a professional back in April at Bellator 279, defeating Janay Harding to snap a two-fight losing skid. Severe MMA reporter, Andy Stevenson was first to report the booking of McCourt and Silva. 

6-2 as a professional from eight appearances, prior to her defeat against Kavanagh, McCourt’s sole other loss came in the form of a debut defeat against Rizien Zouak under the Cage Warriors banner.

During her six-fight tenure under the Scott Coker-led Bellator banner, McCourt has established a 5-1 promotional record, headlining for the first time in February 2020 with a unanimous decision win over Judith Reis. 

In other professional wins, McCourt has scooped successes against Hatice Ozyurt, Kerry Hughes, common-foe, Harding, as well as Jessica Borga – to go with her first professional win which came against surging UFC flyweight contender, Manon Fiorot. 

Competing at Dana White’s Contender Series back in August 2018, Silva has featured almost exclusively on her native Brazilian regional circuit during her 17 fight professional career – defeating the above mentioned, Harding to snap a run of defeats to former champion, Julia Budd, and former title challenger, Arlene Blencowe in her first two Bellator pairings.

Bellator 285 takes place on September 23. from The 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland – with a lightweight main event between Benson Henderson, and Peter Queally slated to take headlining honors. A light heavyweight co-main event between Yoel Romero, and Melvin Manhoef has also been confirmed by the organization.