Holly Holm could be the beneficiary of a long-awaited shakeup at the top of the bantamweight division.
When we last saw Holm in action it was almost 600 days ago and “The Preacher’s Daughter” didn’t appear to be close to a UFC title shot so long as Amanda Nunes was sitting atop two divisions. Nunes had needed less than a round to defeat Holm at UFC 239 and few fans were clamoring for a rematch.
However when Holm — No. 3 at bantamweight in MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings — returns to fight No. 7 Ketlen Vieira in the UFC Vegas 55 main event, she does so with fresh hope for another championship opportunity. Julianna Pena stunned Nunes at UFC 269 to claim the 135-pound belt and if she beats Nunes in a rematch, the path is open for Holm to potentially reclaim the title.
First she has to get past Vieira, a hungry contender who has championship aspirations of her own and would be a fresh challenger regardless of who walks out of the Pena-Nunes rematch victorious. Should it be Nunes, Vieira may have to wait out a trilogy, but a win over Holm should be enough to get her that elusive title shot regardless.
In other main-card action, Santiago Ponzinibbio hopes to slow down the roll of welterweight wildcard Michel Pereira. Former Bellator middleweight contender Chidi Najokuani faces Dusko Todorovic. Strawweights Polyana Viiana and Tabatha Rcci meet, while middleweights Eryk anders and Jun Yong Park hope to bounce back from their recent losses.
What: UFC Vegas 55
Where : UFC APEX Las Vegas
When: Saturday, May 21. The entire event airs on ESPN+, with the six-fight preliminary card beginning at 4 p.m. ET, followed by a five-fight main card at 7 p.m. ET.
Holly Holm vs. Ketlen Vieira
Time waits for no woman and while Holly Holm looks as fit and prepared as ever, at age 40 athletic decline is inevitable. That could be the edge Ketlen Vieira needs to get past the durable Holm.
Holm has only ever lost to the best female fighters on the planet, a list that includes GOAT candidates Cris Cyborg, Amanda Nunes, and Valentina Shevchenko, as well as stalwarts Germaine de Randamie and Miesha Tate. Although it may sound strange to include Vieira on that list, “Fenomeno”, who will be fighting for a title in the future, could win Holm’s favor. Holm will not be allowed to find the rhythm she has been trying to create with her opponent, as this Brazilian fighter is offensively minded.
It is difficult for any fighters to knock Holm down, and I don’t believe Vieira has that kind of firepower. However, I expect Vieira to keep up the pace and win ground exchanges, as well as land enough devastating shots to make a convincing decision.
Pick: Vieira
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Michel Pereira
Fight of the Night fans who expect a certain candidate may be disappointed. Michel Pereira has a four-fight winning streak, his longest in eight years. Diego Sanchez disqualified Pereira from the fight. Pereira should not sacrifice style for substance. We all love it when Pereira is doing backflips and bounding off of the cage, but it’s doubtful he’ll return to that form facing his toughest challenge since joining the UFC.
Santiago Ponzinibbio has the edge in technique and a slight edge in power, so if this goes to a decision, his work on the feet should appeal to the judges more. Pereira could win if Ponzinibbio is unable to frustrate him with speed and movement. It will be an interesting duel that you can watch, as the two fighters fight for control of the dance.
I confess I’m still struggling to figure out what Pereira’s ceiling is in the welterweight division. He is he legitimately a title contender? Or has Pereira been the recipient of favourable stylistic matchups? This is the perfect fight to get a proper gauge of his skills and while I expect him to make a good account of himself, I can’t see him getting past the more seasoned Ponzinibbio just yet.
Pick: Ponzinibbio
Chidi Njokuani vs. Dusko Todorovic
We’re still assessing fighters, so what does Dusko Todorovic think? The talented Serbian fighter has all the tools to be a top 15 fighter, but has yet to string together enough winning performances to break out from the thick of the middleweight pack. His road to respectability doesn’t get any easier with Chidi Njokuani.
Njokuani, who is long and long, excels at combat at close range. However, he doesn’t just want to score points. Todorovic may be at serious risk if he locks on to the feet. Todorovic has a tendency of not keeping his chin up. Todorovic’s grappling is a key factor in the fight. Njokuani can be difficult to defeat, but Todorovic has a significant advantage on the mat.
I don’t think it gets there, at least not for long. Todorovic will have to deal with Njokuani as he attempts to find the angles and close the distance to get a takedown. And then he’ll eat one more counter shot.
Njokuani knockout in the second round.
Pick: Njokuani
Polyana Viana vs. Tabatha Ricci
Hopefully we get some fun scrambles in this matchup of strawweight scrappers.
If it turns into an extended bout of jiu jitsu, Tabatha should win. Her UFC debut has shown her to be a very competent ground fighter, and that could make it easier for Polyana Viana. Viana will be thinking sub, sub, sub, and sub, so as long as Ricci is focused on control while mixing in ground-and-pound, this fight can play out in her favor.
Ricci is more confident with striking the feet than Viana and has shown some decent footwork. Ricci will use her punches aggressively as a way to achieve her goal of turning the fight into a groundfight. Ricci will win by decision if Viana fails to score anything off her back.
Pick: Ricci
Eryk Anders vs. Jun Yong Park
Now we’re talking sleeper Fight of the Night candidate!
Eryk Anders might not be able to string together wins, but he’s become a reliable source for chaos and that’s a trait that’s always welcome in the main card opener. Mix in the toughness and power punching of Jun Yong Park and you’ve got a stew going here. Park is a great partner for Anders who loves brawl.
This is not a coin toss choice, as Park’s standup has some distinct advantages. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in patience and he won’t be deterred if Anders gets ahead on the scorecards early. Park will eventually cut off the cage and make this his fight by battering Anders with straight punches. Park might add some takedowns in order to test Anders’ jiu jitsu.
This will be a fun one while it lasts and I see Park winning by knockout.
Pick: Park
Preliminaries
Alen Amedovski def. Joseph Holmes
Parker Porter def. Jailton Almeida
Omar Morales def. Uros Medic
Jonathan Martinez def. Vince Morales
Felipe Colares def. Chase Hooper
Elise Reed def. Sam Hughes
