Michelle Montague is a promising talent in the women’s bantamweight division that fans should be following closely. Hailing from New Zealand, Montague has built a strong reputation through her grappling skills, achieving an undefeated professional record of 7-0. Currently training at American Top Team, she is set to face a significant challenge in her upcoming bout against former title contender Mayra Bueno Silva. Notably, current betting markets favor Montague in this matchup.
Who is Michelle Montague? The Ascent of New Zealand’s Undefeated UFC Fighter
The initial odds for the fight place Mayra Bueno Silva at +330, with Montague as the favorite at -400. Other sportsbooks, such as New Zealand Sports Betting, have consistently shown Montague as the favored fighter and Bueno Silva as the underdog for their scheduled bout on April 25, 2026. While these figures don’t guarantee an outcome, they reflect the market’s perception of the contest, indicating that Montague is anticipated to defeat a highly-ranked UFC contender.
Montague’s journey began with a deep foundation in combat sports in New Zealand, where she competed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and MMA before embarking on her professional career. In 2019, she made history by becoming the first athlete from Waikato to win a medal at the IMMAF Amateur MMA World Championships, securing a gold medal in an all-New Zealand final held in Bahrain against Mel Webster. Furthermore, she has represented New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in freestyle wrestling in both 2018 and 2022, is an Oceania wrestling champion, a competitor at the UWW World Championships, and a multiple-time national grappling titleholder.
This extensive background in combat sports helps explain Montague’s rapid progression through her fights. She commenced her career with six consecutive victories, all achieved via rear-naked choke, demonstrating an impressive level of consistency for a prospect known for her ground control. This supports the claim that her submission rate exceeds 80%, as six of her first seven documented professional wins ended by tapout, before she later secured a decision win on her path to the UFC.
Her finishing pattern highlights a fighter adept at transitioning from takedowns to securing dominant back positions and executing chokes. Standing at 5-foot-9 and competing at 135 pounds, her combined experience in wrestling and grappling, coupled with her daily training at American Top Team, positions her as a formidable long-term prospect in a division that currently lacks a deep pool of well-rounded, young, and ascending contenders.
This is precisely why Montague deserves to be on your radar now. She possesses the amateur pedigree, the grappling expertise, an undefeated record, and a fast-paced fighting schedule. If she can overcome Bueno Silva, she has the potential to become a superstar.
Michelle Montague’s next fight is scheduled for April 25, 2026, against Mayra Bueno Silva at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of a UFC Fight Night card.
