Ketlen Vieira Breaks Silence on UFC Exit After Win: ‘Wasn’t Really a Reason’ To Part Ways

Unlike the Jamie Mullarkeys or Lando Vannatas of UFC, Ketlen Vieira walked away from the organization with something most fighters would expect to be enough to keep the door open: a win. 

Instead, less than a week after beating Jacqueline Cavalcanti at UFC Vegas 117, the former top-five contender found herself without an extension. After nearly a decade with the promotion, the ending was abrupt, especially for a fighter who had spent years sharing the cage with some of the biggest names in the women’s bantamweight division. 

Still reeling from the unexpected, Vieira recently admitted that the decision certainly caught her off guard. 

Ketlen Vieira Opens Up on Her Dismal UFC Exit

Vieira’s UFC exit certainly left a bitter aftertaste. But rather than dwelling on the disappointment, the 34-year-old is treating the unexpected exit as a chance to chase the one thing she still wants most, a world title.

Speaking to Home of Fight’s Jake Noecker, Vieira acknowledged that she knew her contract situation was uncertain heading into the Cavalcanti fight. Still, the victory made her believe there was a reasonable chance the promotion would extend her contract.

“So this was the last fight of my contract. I knew going into that that anything could happen,” Vieira said. “And I'd be lying if I say I wasn't surprised with the fact that they did not renew with me, considering the last fight was a win.”

Despite a unanimous decision victory over Cavalcanti on May 16, the promotion released the Brazilian less than a week later. Thus bringing an unexpected end to a UFC run that began back in 2016.

During that time, "Fenomeno" has established herself as one of the Women’s Bantamweight division’s more experienced names. In fact, she picked up notable wins over former UFC champions Miesha Tate and Holly Holm, along with victories against Cat Zingano and Sara McMann. 

Vieira Cut From UFC After Win 

She further added, "But I just feel like I'm extremely competitive. With the other names at the UFC and the people that I fought, I felt like there wasn't really a reason for me to be, for me to part ways with the organization. But like I said, it's for bigger and better things and for me to be able to pursue my dreams here and fight for a world title." 

There was no bitterness in her explanation, though. The Brazilian fighter said she has chosen to view the situation through the lens of her faith and believes her exit from the UFC could ultimately lead her somewhere better.

“But I walk my life close to God and I feel like God put me in this position so that I could pursue my dream, which is to fight for a world title,” she said. That dream has now landed a PFL contract.

Vieira Hyping PFL Debut Against Cris Cyborg

As the fighter herself sees it, the sudden departure from the UFC had a silver lining. As a matter of fact, Vieira did not have to wait long to find her next destination.

She is set to make her PFL debut against MMA legend Cris Cyborg at PFL Tampa on Aug. 22. For Ketlen Vieira, the matchup is about more than simply starting over with another promotion. It is an opportunity to pursue the long-sought-after goal she has wanted throughout her career.

Reflecting on the upcoming bout, which could potentially be Cyborg’s final chapter in MMA, Vieira noted, “Cyborg is looking to end her professional journey with me, and I’m looking to start mine in the PFL against her. She is strong willed, and so am I, so you guys are going to get to watch a battle of two wills, and based on those two truths the fans are going to see a great fight.”

For the uninitiated, Cyborg is an imposing figure, with years of championship experience and the kind of physicality that has made her one of the sport’s defining figures. Vieira, meanwhile, enters the matchup with newfound motivation, something to prove after an unexpected UFC departure.