The MMA Daily

Preview

In the main event of the evening, we have an important fight in the Bantamweight division, as Ketlen ‘Fenomeno’ Vieira takes on the former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Miesha ‘Cupcake’ Tate. I say important because the winner of this fight perhaps finds themselves in a title eliminator next. Originally, this fight was to be the main event of UFC Fight Night 195. However, a month out from the event, Tate contracted the coronavirus and the fight was scrapped. Nearly two months later, the two will finally meet. Vieira comes into this fight a loser of two of her last three. Still at #7 in the rankings, the Brazilian finds herself in a good position. Meanwhile, Tate will look to build off her incredible victory over Marion Reneau. After retiring in July of 2016, Tate came out of retirement 56 months later an improved version of herself. With a different drive and the same goal of being a UFC Champion, Tate is a welcome addition to a Bantamweight division ruled by the woman who took her belt, Amanda Nunes.

Prediction

This is an intriguing fight and a tough one to call in many ways. At one time, Ketlen Vieira looked to be a legitimate challenger to Amanda Nunes. The Brazilian had won her first four UFC fights, including a big victory over Cat Zingano. Unfortunately, Vieira’s fifth fight saw her get flatlined by Irena Aldana. It was Vieira’s first professional loss and a minor hiccup. However, after bouncing back against Sijara Eubanks, Vieira once again lost, this time to Yana Kunitskaya. With only four fights in four years, Vieira has not only been inactive, but in ways, figured out. Then there is Tate, who retired in 2016. The itch however came back for the former Women’s UFC Bantamweight Champion, as she returned to the octagon 56 months later. Successfully I might add, as Tate looked in more ways than not, better than ever. I will say though, while she fought a tough Marion Reneau, it was also a fighter not only retiring, but one who had lost four consecutive fights heading in.

As for a prediction, I’m going with Tate. If the Cupcake that fought Reneau shows up, Vieira is in for a tough night at the office. A low output striker, Vieira more often than not, looks to takedown her foes and control them. The same could be said about Tate, except that in her fight against Reneau she showed excellent striking. In fact, the 65 significant strikes she landed in a little more than two rounds of action, was the most she has ever landed in her previous nine UFC fights. As a new look Tate, and someone known for having excellent cardio, the longer this fight goes, the more the veteran will take over. So with that said, I predict Tate wins via late submission.