Ketlen Vieira Record, stats and next fight

Analysis

Ketlen Vieira has ranked among the top Brazilian fighters in the bantamweight division since 2016. The Manaus native spent nearly ten years in the UFC, facing most of the division’s top names before joining the PFL in 2026. Her game is built on wrestling and judo, with a rare ability to go the distance against the best strikers.

Background

Born August 26, 1991 in Manaus, in the state of Amazonas, Ketlen Vieira da Silva started out in wrestling, winning several national titles in Brazil. She then studied law at Nilton Lins University, which she left to focus fully on mixed martial arts. She earned her black belt in judo and later her black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under André Pederneiras at the Nova União team in Manaus. Her head coach, Marcinho Pontes, was also José Aldo’s first trainer at the same gym.

On the Brazilian regional circuit, she won the Mr Cage bantamweight title in November 2014, then the Big Way title in February 2016, two local promotions that let her build an undefeated record before arriving in the UFC.

UFC Career

Ketlen Vieira made her UFC debut on October 1, 2016 against Kelly Faszholz, winning by split decision. She followed with wins over Ashlee Evans-Smith and then Sara McMann, submitted by triangle armbar at UFC 215 in September 2017. In March 2018, she defeated Cat Zingano by split decision at UFC 222.

Her first loss came in December 2019 against Irene Aldana, by knockout at UFC 245. She bounced back in September 2020 against Sijara Eubanks, before a decision loss to Yana Kunitskaya in February 2021. She followed with notable wins over Miesha Tate in November 2021 and Holly Holm in May 2022, the latter a closely contested split decision. In January 2023, she lost to Raquel Pennington, the division’s future champion, before defeating Pannie Kianzad in London in July 2023.

In October 2024, she faced Kayla Harrison at UFC 307 and lost by unanimous decision. She picked up her last UFC win in May 2025 against Macy Chiasson, already competing at featherweight, then lost to Norma Dumont in November 2025. Her final fight under UFC contract came on May 16, 2026 against Jacqueline Cavalcanti, won by unanimous decision. She then left the UFC roster, according to several outlets, before joining the PFL. On August 22, 2026, she faced Cris Cyborg at PFL Tampa and lost by unanimous decision, in a non-title bout after missing weight.

Fighting Style

Ketlen Vieira’s style is built on her wrestling and judo base, with takedowns and ground control that let her neutralize opponents known for their striking. Her ratio of decision wins, ten of sixteen victories, reflects an approach built on volume and positional control rather than quick finishes. She has just two wins by knockout or TKO in twenty two fights, but carries a solid chin in return, with only one knockout loss in her career. The women’s bantamweight division remains contested by other Brazilians on the UFC roster, including Josiane Nunes and Karol Rosa.

Record

• Professional record: 16 wins, 6 losses, 0 draws
• Wins by KO or TKO: 2
• Wins by submission: 4
• Wins by decision: 10
• Losses by KO or TKO: 1
• Losses by decision: 5
• Mr Cage bantamweight title, 2014
• Big Way bantamweight title, 2016

Fighter Profile

• Full name: Ketlen Vieira da Silva
• Nickname: Fenômeno
• Born: August 26, 1991, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Height: 5’9″ (175 cm)
• Reach: 5’8″ (173 cm)
• Division: bantamweight, also fighting at featherweight since joining the PFL
• Team: Nova União, Manaus
• Coach: Marcinho Pontes
• Base: judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, black belt in both disciplines

Sources

• en.wikipedia.org
• www.ufc.com