UFC News & FeaturesWomen’s Bantamweights
#11 P4P | Kayla Harrison (17-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. #2 WBW | Ketlen Vieira (14-3, 8-3 UFC)ODDS: Harrison (-800), Vieira (+550)
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The UFC’s modus operandi seems fairly clear here, as Harrison—who already has a case as the UFC’s top contender at 135 pounds—seems poised to get a big win as an appetizer for the title fight further up the card. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, Harrison transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2016 and proved to be a quick study once she debuted two years later with the Professional Fighters League. The main issue was that she seemed to be a fighter without a weight class. A natural lightweight, Harrison was able to bully around an array of converted bantamweights and featherweights with little issue but also without much of an obvious direction that provided any sort of drama. Harrison did eventually suffer her first mixed martial arts loss, as Larissa Pacheco was able to outlast her in the third fight between the two. However, that did little to dull Harrison’s momentum, especially once she was free of her contractual obligations and signed with the UFC. Harrison’s UFC debut against Holly Holm at UFC 300 was one of the most intriguing fights on a deep card, particularly since it marked her first appearance at bantamweight—10 pounds lighter than any weight she had fought at and 20 pounds down from where she’d spent most of her career. Any potential issues went by the wayside once the proverbial bell rang. Harrison looked as good as when she outmuscled Holm, who’s still one of the strongest fighters in the division, and eventually found a submission win in the second round. The performance was enough to immediately make Harrison the most exciting contender in a stagnant division, but the UFC has decided to make her prove herself one more time before getting that title shot, as she faces another physical force in Vieira.
Vieira’s always suffered an ill-timed injury or defeat just when she’s on the verge of a title shot, but the Brazilian has been a relevant force among the top of the division for the better part of half a decade. Large and thickly built, Vieira marched up the ranks as a fairly straightforward grinder before hitting a rough stretch after her 2018 win over Cat Zingano. Injuries limited her to only one fight in two and a half years, and that lone trip to the Octagon saw her get knocked out by Irene Aldana within a round. It seemed to take Vieira a while to get over that result, as her next few performances saw her less dedicated to her usual pressure, but “Fenomeno” is now back near her peak form. She might not be the most exciting fighter to watch, but she can usually grind out a win as needed. There’s some mild intrigue here, as this marks another big weight cut for Harrison and takes place at elevation in Salt Lake City, but this looks like another fight where the former Olympian can out-bully a bully and eventually find a finish on the mat. The pick is Harrison via second-round stoppage.
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Pereira vs. Rountree
Pennington vs. Pena
Bautista vs. Aldo
Harrison vs. Vieira
Holland vs. Dolidze
The Prelims
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