Ketlen Vieira has a degree to show at UFC 307.
The UFC veteran as soon as once more enters a battle seeking to earn a shot on the bantamweight title with a victory, and feels it could 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 feel she underestimates me,” Vieira stated in an interview with MMA Combating. “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 thing as a result of she’s utterly depending on taking the battle to the bottom. We haven’t seen her commerce on the ft for 3 rounds. Possibly she will be able to try this sooner or later, however I don’t see that proper now.”
Harrison stated throughout the UFC 307 media day on Wednesday she believes she “can beat all three ladies in the identical evening,” 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 stated. “Individuals all the time say I’m the underdog and I’m nonetheless right here, beating the perfect. I’ve been right here many occasions earlier than. After I fought McMann the winner would battle for the belt, and I received. After 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 huge 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 stated of Harrison. “I’m extra full than Kayla, I’ve extra instruments. I’ve good floor recreation and good judo as effectively. You may’t be taught to defend judo takedowns in judo, however that’s one thing I’ve performed my complete life. And I’m additionally evolving on the ft. I’m getting extra full daily. If I’ve to grapple along with her, I’ll. If I’ve to commerce along with her, I’ll. She will be able to’t do the identical as a result of she utterly depending on her floor recreation.”
