Ketlen Vieira made a statement with a big win over former bantamweight champion Miesha Tate at UFC Vegas 43 Saturday night.
Vieira had lost two of her last three contests coming into tonight’s fight, but it was clear from the onset that Vieira was prepared for Tate, using her striking to keep Tate at range.
First takedown of the fight for @MieshaTate 🧁 #UFCVegas43 pic.twitter.com/C6gAbUu3oc
— UFC (@ufc) November 21, 2021
Vieira protected her No. 7 ranking with the win and ended the hopes of Tate’s championship run for now.
A finish worthy of a bonus for Taila Santos 💰
[ B2YB @ThorneHealth | #UFCVegas43 ] pic.twitter.com/5IvsnBfRTM
— UFC (@ufc) November 21, 2021
Talia Santos earned performance of the night with her lone submission finish of Joanne Wood, while Adrian Yanez and Davey Grant earned Fight of the Night. Each fighters earned a $50,000 USD bonus.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
LUANA PINHEIRO DEF. SAM HUGHES VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
SHAYILAN NUERDANBIEKE DEF. SEAN SORIANO VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
CODY DURDEN DEF. QILENG AORI VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
LUPITA GODINEZ DEF. LOMA LOOKBOONMEE VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
RAFA GARCIA DEF. NATAN LEVY VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
PAT SABATINI DEF. TUCKER LUTZ VIA UD (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
MAIN CARD
DAVEY GRANT VS. ADRIAN YANEZ
We've got a barn burner on our hands 🔥
[ #UFCVegas43 is LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/7appEzcj9c
— UFC (@ufc) November 20, 2021
WINNER ADRIAN YANEZ VIA SD (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ADRIAN YANEZ VIA TKO
Andrews: How did one judge score this 30-27?
RANI YAHYA VS. KYUNG-HO KANG
HUGE start to the 3rd for Kyung Ho Kang 💥
[ #UFCVegas43 | Main Card LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/SUiAuzwugO
— UFC (@ufc) November 21, 2021
WINNER: RANI YAHYA VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RANI YAHYA VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Good win for Yahya to use his standup as well as the ground game to get the win.
#5 JOANNE WOOD VS. #10 TALiA SANTOS
A new contender EMERGES 💢
🇧🇷 Taila Santos with the first-RD finish!
[ #UFCVegas43 is LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/xpOgNXp7mY
— UFC (@ufc) November 21, 2021
WINNER: TALIA SANTOS VIA SUBMISSION (RNC) R1 4:49
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TALIA SANTOS VIA UD
Andrews: Great win for Santos. Jojo is older now and cannot keep up with the contending fighters anymore.
#6 MICHAEL CHIESA VS. #14 SEAN BRADY
Emptying the gas tank ⛽️
[ #UFCVegas43 | Main Card LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/DLQmF4bZQP
— UFC (@ufc) November 21, 2021
WINNER: SEAN BRADY VIA UD (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SEAN BRADY VIA TKO
Andrews: Brady outworked Chiesa for a good win.
MAIN EVENT
#7 KETLEN VIEIRA VS. #8 MIESHA TATE
Swangin' & bangin' 👊 #UFCVegas43 pic.twitter.com/G1U9ZeCVf5
— UFC (@ufc) November 21, 2021
WINNER: KETLEN VIEIRA VIA UD (48-47 48-47, 49-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MIESHA TATE VIA UD
Andrews: Vieira came prepared and kept the fight standing and was not star-struck. Good win.
The next UFC event is UFC Vegas 44, which is set for Dec. 4 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Rob Font takes on former champion Jose Aldo in a bantamweight main event.
