NFL
By: Julio Olmo
The action never stops 👏
💥 A battle amongst the elite in the bantamweight division happens SATURDAY.
[ #UFCVegas43 | Nov 20 | Prelims 3𝙥𝙢𝙀𝙏 | Main Card 6𝙥𝙢𝙀𝙏 | Live on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/UrzNgHOecW— UFC (@ufc) November 15, 2021
UFC Vegas is here! Originally slated to take place in mid-October, bantamweight contenders Ketlen Vieira and Miesha Tate meet here in a five-round main event that will help clarify things at the top of the division heading into next year.
It’s been a challenging year for Vieira, who dropped a questionable decision to Yana Kunitskaya in February and then had an August date against Sara McMann fall through when the Olympic silver medalist aggravated a previous injury. She was then paired with Tate, only to have that bout pushed back, as well.
The 30-year-old Brazilian has only fought three times since pushing her record to 10-0 with a victory over Cat Zingano at UFC 222, with a major knee injury sidelining her for an extended stretch before she returned and was bounced from the ranks of the unbeaten by Irene Aldana. She looked solid in getting back into the win column against Sijara Eubanks and thrived in spots opposite Kunitskaya, and a victory over Tate on Saturday would certainly elevate her into the title conversation.
Tate ended a four-and-a-half-year retirement in July, returning to the Octagon to collect a third-round stoppage victory over Marion Reneau; it was her first win since winning the bantamweight strap at UFC 196. The mother of two and veteran competitor looked incredibly sharp for someone that hadn’t competed for such a long stretch, tapping back into the improved striking she’d displayed prior to her hiatus while reminding everyone that she’s always been a skilled grappler inside the Octagon.
Getting that victory put Tate back on the radar and back in the rankings, and a second straight triumph this weekend would put her all the way back into the mix to face the top names in the division — and perhaps even fight for championship gold again — next year.
Visit Jazz Sportsbook for all your Fight Night’s Betting.
What's your 🔒 for #UFCVegas43?
Tate -111 vs Vieira -114
Place your bets now→ https://t.co/xCxoQKJpa0 #MMA #UFC pic.twitter.com/VQtnkvcANs
— JAZZ Sportsbook (Official) (@SportsbookJazz) November 19, 2021
