Ketlen Vieira: I Believe I’m on the Right Track to Become Champion

If fight cliches like “to be the champ, you’ve got to beat the champ” and “iron sharpens iron” have any grounding in reality, Ketlen Vieira is positioning herself well for a run at gold. Since joining the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2016 as an undefeated but raw bantamweight prospect, “Fenomeno” has already notched wins over two former champions in Miesha Tate and Holly Holm, as well as longtime contenders onetime title challengers Cat Zingano and Sara McMann. While Vieira of course has her sights set on the belt, she regards her journey so far with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude.

“I’m very proud of my trajectory inside the UFC,” the 31-year-old told Sherdog. “It’s not easy, with only two years of MMA experience, to get into the world’s biggest organization and to fight the very best. I was very inexperienced when I came into the UFC. I had very little mileage. But I’ve always put God first. He’s always blessed and molded me. Today I’m living my dream, which is to live from what I love doing, and to face the best in the world. I couldn’t be happier – fighting names like Cat Zingano, Sara McMann, Miesha Tate and Holly Holm. It’s an honor and a tremendous pleasure. It’s what I like to do – to test myself against the best fighters.”

Vieira’s rise through the division has been propelled by those big-name wins, and she would likely have fought for a title already if not for her pair of losses: a first-round stoppage at the hands of Irene Aldana in 2019, and a decision loss to Yana Kunitskaya two years ago, for which Vieira missed weight as well. “I did have a few setbacks, but I wouldn’t change anything,” she claimed. “For sure, those losses helped me go even further, and to make the necessary changes in my life such as in training and nutrition. I’m even more determined. It all helped me mature. All great champions are forged of wins and losses. I believe I’m on the right track to become champion myself. From the very beginning, with each bout I’ve always shown improvements. I’ve even evolved from my losses. I’m very thankful for everything that’s happened in my life.”

The task in front of Vieira this weekend might well represent the final step in her ascension through the 135-pound ranks. Raquel Pennington, another former title challenger, is a perennial Top 10 fighter and one of the most accomplished women in UFC history not to have won a belt. Vieira recognizes the opportunity but remains focused on the journey and the process. “I have another great challenge in front of me – Raquel Pennington,” she said. “As I said, I like to always fight and test myself against the best in the world. I want to be champion one day. Everyone who comes to the UFC should have the same mindset. You shouldn’t think of just being an also-ran. I’m very happy with this opportunity. I know that Raquel is highly experienced. She already fought the best. She did fight for the belt. Even though people ask me about my long-term plans, I’m fully focused on Raquel now. We’re taking it one step at a time. I don’t know if beating Raquel guarantees a title shot. The UFC is a business, and it will do what’s best for itself. Our focus remains on getting better with each fight. If God wishes me to be champion, it will happen.”

That process includes her preparation, which took place with at her longtime training home. “I did my camp with my team, Nova Uniao,” she said. “Raquel is very tough and experienced. I feel she’s a complete fighter. In my mind, I’m preparing as if this is against the champion. At this moment, the champion is Raquel Pennington. Nothing matters if I don’t get past her. We’re very focused on every detail. Head coach Andre Pederneiras has been doing excellent work. He can see what’s lacking, so with each fight I always put on better performances. My stamina is much better too. My physical-conditioning coach is Orlando Folhes. Giovanni Diniz takes care of my boxing. And I’m sharpening my ground game with Marlon Sandro. I’ll be very ready for this fight. It’s going to be a war. I can’t wait to show all the things I've been working on and improving upon. Every day I look to exceed my limits, so I can be as ready as possible for this fight.”