Ketlen Vieira has always dreamed of headlining a UFC event one day.
Now she’s about to fight in her second straight main event against another former UFC champion.
Vieira, speaking on the MMA Fighting Podcast Trocacao Franca , Vieira said that although she couldn’t picture herself facing Holly Holm in a matchup after her decision win over Miesha Tate last November, she thinks Saturday’s UFC Vegas 55 fight will make sense given her continued climb up to the bantamweight ranks.
“Holly “is a very skilled athlete,” Vieira stated. She might be able to count the number of five-round fights she’s had, judging by how many fights she has seen so far. My advantage is not her experience. She does have a lot of it, but I do have a lot more. I have a hunger to be able to compete for the belt or become a champion. That’s my advantage.”
Holm was asked if she may have less hunger after losing her three UFC titles bouts against Cris Cyborg and Germaine de Randamie. Vieira replied that an athlete Holly’s calibre never loses ambition and it would not be foolish to dismiss her.
“I think she does want to become champion again,” she said. She’s motivated. She’s an athlete with a big name and will never come to a fight to lose or thinking she will lose. She’s obviously hungry, so she will bring all of her tools to another title fight .”
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After emerging victorious in the first 25-minute fight of her MMA career over Tate, and becoming “more mature not only as an athlete but also as a person,” Vieira promised she won’t look past Holm for a potential shot at the winner of Julianna Pena vs. Amanda Nunes 2 for the UFC’s bantamweight title.
” I don’t enjoy thinking too much about the future,” Vieira stated. “It was proven in my life that it doesn’t work for me. I’m thinking about the now, about Holly. If I don’t get past her, what am I going to do? I’ll have to start over, right? My team will have to help me start again. So, I am only focusing on her.
” It was difficult to prepare for the fight because of many factors,” Vieira said. “She’s an experienced athlete who’s used to fighting five rounds. There aren’t many southpaws in this division like her. You can see her fighting well and she has excellent takedown defense. She’s not been taken down as often. Although it was difficult, the camp was ultimately very successful. My team and I are very happy with the way we finished this camp.”
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