Former UFC women’s bantamweight contender Ketlen Vieira is still shocked that she was cut by the world’s leading MMA promotion.
Vieira was one of the top-five-ranked women’s bantamweights for several years. With a 10-5 UFC record, she was among the top fighters in her weight class. So when her name showed up on the UFC cut list in May, MMA fans were very surprised to see it, especially since the women’s 135 lbs weight class isn’t exactly stacked.
The Brazilian, too, says she was shocked by the UFC releasing her. She still is.
Ketlen Vieira Doesn’t Understand Why UFC Released Her
Speaking to Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com, Vieira expressed her shock and surprise that the UFC did not retain her on a new contract and instead decided to let her go despite women’s 135 lbs needing contenders.
“I was already expecting it because usually we renew a contract before the final fight. When ‘Dedé’ (Andre Pederneiras) told me they wanted me to have my last fight, I already found it a little strange and was kind of expecting it. But it was still a huge surprise to me because I’ve been a top athlete in the division for many years. What I’m about to say isn’t me being arrogant or anything, and I even apologize for saying it, but I’m much better than many of the fighters who are there at bantamweight. It’s kind of unbelievable that they wouldn’t renew my contract when there are many other fighters there who aren’t on my level, you know? But I always put my life in God’s hands, and He’s the one who decides, and He guided me toward what I wanted, which was a title shot,” Vieira said.
“I can’t really understand (my release) because if we’re talking about fighting styles, there are women whose fighting styles don’t even compare to mine, and who are completely one-dimensional grapplers. I don’t know if it was an internal issue, I really don’t know. The only thing I know is that (Pederneiras) told me they weren’t going to renew my contract. Looking at me as an athlete, my career, my style, and some of the athletes who are there, I just can’t understand why.”
Ketlen Vieira Landed on Her Feet in PFL
Although the UFC let her go, Viera was able to quickly land on her feet and sign with the PFL, the No. 2 MMA promotion in North America.
On Saturday, August 22, Vieira takes on MMA legend Cris Cyborg in what could potentially be Cyborg’s final MMA fight. This is a massive matchup for the PFL, as Cyborg is one of the best women’s MMA fighters of all time and Vieira presents one of her toughest challenges outside of the UFC, one she isn’t taking lightly.
“I can’t be ungrateful to the UFC or to everyone there who gave me the opportunity to change my life, and they did change my life. But today I’m focused on this new chance, this new opportunity in the PFL,” Vieira said.
Ketlen Vieira Shocked UFC Cut Her