Ketlen Vieira has a degree to show at UFC 307.
The UFC veteran as soon as once more enters a battle trying to earn a shot on the bantamweight title with a victory, and feels it might lastly come if she beats two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison this Saturday in Salt Lake Metropolis, particularly with all of the hype surrounding the previous PFL champion.
“I believe she underestimates me,” Vieira mentioned in an interview with MMA Preventing. “When she says she’s higher than me in all areas, she’s underestimating me. She’s an excellent athlete, she’s a Olympic medalist for a purpose, however she’s not higher than me in every little thing as a result of she’s fully depending on taking the battle to the bottom. We haven’t seen her commerce on the toes for 3 rounds. Possibly she will be able to do this sooner or later, however I don’t see that proper now.”
Harrison mentioned in the course of the UFC 307 media day on Wednesday she believes she “can beat all three ladies in the identical night time,” referring to her upcoming opponent and each UFC 307 co-headliners, Raquel Pennington and Julianna Peña.
Harrison has solely fought as soon as contained in the octagon, dominating and ending Holm with a rear-naked choke. Vieira additionally holds a win over Holm, in addition to Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano and Sara McMann.
“I’m used to this already,” Vieira mentioned. “Individuals all the time say I’m the underdog and I’m nonetheless right here, beating the very best. I’ve been right here many instances earlier than. Once I fought McMann the winner would battle for the belt, and I received. Once I fought Cat Zingano, who was the one lady to beat Amanda [Nunes in the UFC], the winner would go for the belt, and I received. I beat two different ex-champions, Miesha and Holly. I’m used to massive fights. Individuals have quick reminiscence and proceed to underestimate me.”
Vieira sees the Harrison conflict as a “semifinal” to find out the subsequent contender within the 135-pound division, and expects Pennington to efficiently defend her throne Saturday towards Peña.
“It’s an excellent battle for me,” Vieira mentioned of Harrison. “I’m extra full than Kayla, I’ve extra instruments. I’ve good floor sport and good judo as effectively. You may’t study to defend judo takedowns in judo, however that’s one thing I’ve finished my whole life. And I’m additionally evolving on the toes. I’m getting extra full day by day. If I’ve to grapple together with her, I’ll. If I’ve to commerce together with her, I’ll. She will be able to’t do the identical as a result of she fully depending on her floor sport.”
