Brazilian bantamweight contender Ketlen Vieira picked up a huge victory in her quest to earn a shot at the UFC’s women’s 135-pound title, but the legitimacy of her win was instantly called into question after the fight.
Vieira earned the nod from two of the three judges after her main event bout with former champion Holly Holm at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, but many watching, as well as Holm, expressiong the view that the result should have gone the other way.
Speaking to Daniel Cormier immediately after the fight, Holm made her feelings clear.
“I thought I won the fight,” she said.
“I gave her Round 2, and I feel like I won all the rest of the rounds.
“I always feel like I can do more and be more perfect, but I really thought I won the fight. I don’t feel like it was a question.”
For his part, Cormier also felt Holm had won the bout, but made fun at his assessment on social media, tweeting, “Wrong again. Ketlen won the fight. Jeez I am a terrible judge. We have a judging conference coming up and I’m looking forward to going to school and learning how to watch MMA.”
But the win went to Vieira, with the Brazilian now looking to move toward the top of the division.
“I came here to knock her down. She came here to stall,” she said after her victory.
“I respect her a lot. She’s ‘The Preacher’s Daughter,’ but I’m the one that had the glory of God here.”
And she finished her post-fight interview with a simple message to the matchmakers looking at the contenders at the sharp end of the women’s bantamweight division.
“I’m the next champion of the bantamweight division,” she said.
“I’m next. I’m ready. I’m here!”
UFC Fight Night 206: Official Results
MAIN CARD
- Ketlen Vieira def. Holly Holm via split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)
- Michel Pereira def. Santiago Ponzinibbio via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
- Chidi Njokuani def. Dusko Todorovic via knockout (elbow) – Round 1, 4:48
- Tabatha Ricci def. Polyana Viana via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jun Yong Park def. Eryk Anders via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
PRELIMS
- Joseph Holmes def. Alen Amedovski via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:04
- Jailton Almeida def. Parker Porter via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:35
- Uros Medic def. Omar Morales via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:05
- Jonathan Martinez def. Vince Morales via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
- Chase Hooper def. Felipe Colares via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:00
- Sam Hughes def. Elise Reed via TKO (elbow and punches) – Round 3, 3:52
