Ketlen Vieira was one of several fighters cut by UFC back in May, a surprising decision considering “Fenomeno” was ranked in the Top 5, held victories over two former bantamweight champions, and was coming off a decision win over Jacqueline Cavalcanti at the UFC Vegas 117 MMA event at the time of her release.
“It was a huge surprise to me because I’ve been a top athlete in the division for many years,” Vieira (16-5) told MMA Fighting. “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.”
It appears the lord gave, and the lord hath taken away.
Vieira, 34, missed weight for her PFL debut this weekend in Tampa, a featherweight title fight against reigning 145-pound champion Cris Cyborg. Vieira was seven pounds over the division limit (152) and will no longer be eligible to win the belt with a victory over her fellow Brazilian.
Fortunately, the (non-title) fight will go on.
This marks the second time Vieira has missed weight.
“I can’t really understand [my UFC 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,” Vieira continued. “I don’t know if it was an internal issue, I really don’t know. The only thing I know is that [my coach] 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.”
To see who else is fighting at UFC Tampa this weekend on ESPN click here.
