Athletes
Ketlen Vieira: Calm Before The Storm
Ketlen Vieira Heads Into UFC 307 Ranked Second At 135 Pounds, But Plans To Leave Salt Lake City As The Clear Number-One Contender For The Title
Ketlen Vieira is well prepared and ready to shine on a huge weekend for the UFC women’s bantamweight division.
Vieira takes on Kayla Harrison at UFC 307 in a 135-pound matchup that will be pivotal to the championship picture in the women’s bantamweight division. The 33-year-old from Manaus is ranked at No. 2, but with top contender Julianna Pena facing champion Raquel Pennington in a title fight in the co-main event, “Fenomeno” knows that victory for either fighter will likely put them at the front of the line to face the winner.
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“For sure, it’s an opportunity for both of us,” Vieira told UFC.com during fight week in Salt Lake City.
“I’ve found myself in this situation several times so I have this extra experience. She’s been talking a lot, but this hype brings so much pressure for her, as well. I’m very calm, I’m cool.”
Vieira may be the established contender in the UFC, but it’s Harrison who has been getting most of the pre-fight headlines ahead of their matchup. The two-time Olympic judo champion has captured titles outside of the UFC, but she’s only made one appearance in the Octagon to date.
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Vieira has followed Harrison’s journey since swapping judo for MMA, and admitted that she’s been impressed with how she’s performed to date. But, when it comes down to their matchup this weekend, the Brazilian said that her MMA experience will be a big factor in the fight.
“She made this transition from judo to MMA very well, which is very difficult,” she said.
“Many can’t do it. Even in jiu-jitsu it’s difficult to have the same success they had in jiu-jitsu in MMA. But, focusing on judo, she made a good transition.
"She’s a very good grappler, but I think I’m more well-rounded. All these years in UFC brought me so much experience, I faced former champions, several contenders, and that’s why I’m ready for this moment.”
Vieira is a veteran of 17 pro fights, with 11 of them coming in the UFC, but despite that Octagon familiarity, she’s been plagued with training camp jitters throughout her career. But, despite the test ahead of her, Vieira said she’s achieved a level of calm composure ahead of her bout with Harrison this weekend.
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“Usually, when I have a fight scheduled, Dede (Pederneiras, her coach) jokes, ‘Are you already in the toilet?’ because I always s**t my pants! I don’t want the day to come!” she grinned.
“But for this fight, I’m so prepared, so happy and calm, because God gives us this peace. I can’t wait for it. I can’t wait to be face to face with her so she can see what awaits her.”
One of the reasons for that composure is the presence of UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo in her training camp. Aldo, who also fights at 135 pounds, is also due to fight in Salt Lake City, and the pair have been training side by side at Nova Uniao. It’s an experience Vieira has thoroughly enjoyed, and she said she’s never felt more ready for a fight than she does this week.
“It’s true. It was my best camp, both physically and mentally,” she stated.
“I think I’m a more complete, more mature athlete. I’m grateful for this wonderful camp.
“(Aldo and I) have been training for a while now. I always joke that I tell the deed, but not the doer. But he’s been helping for a while, which motivates me even more to give my best on Saturday to bring a good performance, because Aldo is taking his time (to help me).
Even during his own camp, he even helped me after his training sessions. That’s something that motivates me even more to put on a show.”
Vieira feels like she’s at the top of her game, fully prepared, and ready to make a statement against one of the biggest names in the division.
“I’ll give it my all, all that I’ve been training for over these years,” she stated.
“It’s like when we study for a test I studied so much and now it’s the test.
"This fight is gonna be a war. The only thing I can say is that I’ll do my best. I’ll give it my all, like I’ve never done before, so I can have my hand raised and bring this win to Brazil and Amazonas.”
And, when she was played a voice message from Aldo telling her that they will both win on Saturday night, Vieira responded with a smile.
“If my sensei said so, that’s it! He is the man!”
UFC 307: Pereira vs Rountree Jr., took place live from Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 5, 2024. See the final Prelim & Main Card Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC FIGHT PASS!