Promise of the bantamweight division, Ketlen Vieira wants to show progress this Saturday: 'I didn't fall here by parachute'

K. Vieira weighing in for the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Great Brazilian promise for the future in the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg.), Ketlen Scallop returns to the octagon this Saturday (26). The Amazonian faces sijara eubanks No. UFC 253, in Abu Dhabi, and wants a great performance to erase the defeat suffered in their last appearance. In an exclusive interview with SUPER FIGHTS, the combatant spoke about the expectations of the confrontation and evaluated her evolution as a fighter.

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Current number seven in the division rankings led by Amanda nunes, Ketlen was undefeated in her career, but ended up suffering defeat in the confrontation against Irene aldana, in December last year. The Brazilian, however, wants to prove that she is back and intends to resume her path towards the top of the category.

Evolution after defeat

O UFC 245 It will forever be remembered as the day the Brazilian suffered her first defeat as a professional in MMA. However, anyone who imagines that the fighter was shaken by the negative result is mistaken. For Vieira, the setback ended up being positive, as it exposed areas for improvement.

“On that December 14th, it wasn’t me who fell there, but everything that prevented me from becoming champion. That defeat came at the right time, even though I was winning the fight. I was very well prepared, but I made a mistake: I didn't listen to my corners (coaches), I let myself get carried away by emotion, for being away for a while. I wanted to get there and win well, show that I was ready, that I was the number one contender and that ended up getting in my way. We need to learn all of this. Have the maturity to arrive in the Octagon and execute what you have trained. It made me a better athlete,” she said.

Last minute opponent

Scheduled to face Eubanks this Saturday, the American was not initially Ketlen's opponent for the UFC 253. The Brazilian would face Marion Reneau, who left the card due to injury. Vieira analyzed the difference between the two and projected how he could overcome Sijara.

“Although they both have black belts in jiu-jitsu, they have different games. Marion feels more comfortable playing with her back to the ground, where she is dangerous. Sijara is a little more different. What I follow in her fight is that the strength is to take down. It's a game very similar to mine. I have to take advantage of my size, wingspan, impose my game and take it to the ground. In case I can't do it, we trained in all kinds of situations.

Division Promise

This Saturday, Ketlen will make his fourth appearance in numbered events in Ultimate. This shows that the company is betting on the athlete, casting her to act on cards with more visibility. The Brazilian then spoke about the affection she feels from the organization's management, who have shown respect for her work.

“Since the beginning, the UFC has always put me to the test. My first four fights were against very tough athletes. This affection from the UFC was earned with a lot of battle, a lot of training and dedication. Even when I suffered a defeat, I entered the Octagon and showed great progress. I am very happy with this recognition and I trained a lot to be up to the task for this great event”, said the Amazon native.

Projection for the future

In a prominent position in the division, Ketlen knows that a positive result is important to maintain his dream of a future title fight. In this way, the Brazilian assessed where a triumph would place her in the group.

“I always tend to go step by step. What I can say is that a victory puts me on a collision course there, in the top 5. She is a tough athlete, who is coming off a good streak of victories. So this puts me back in the fray.

Ideal ending against Eubanks

Coming from a defeat, Ketlen preferred not to risk a dream ending for this weekend. With her feet on the ground, the Amazon native emphasized that the important thing is the positive result, regardless of the form.

“I imagine myself with my arm raised. I really need this victory and I also want to show that I have been evolving, that I didn't just fall in there by parachute. It was never luck. It was always God and a lot of hard work. So, that’s what I intend to look for”, he concluded.

O UFC 253 it will mark Ketlen's 12th appearance as a professional in MMA. At 29 years old, the Brazilian today has 10 triumphs and one setback in the sport.

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