Kicking off the UFC 307 main card in Salt Lake City was the return of two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison. Following her impressive promotional debut in April against Holly Holm, Harrison stepped inside the Octagon on Saturday night seeking her second straight win under the UFC banner.
Standing in her way was No. 2 ranked Ketlen Vieira who finds herself one win away from a shot at the women’s bantamweight world title—but to get there, she’d have to go through one of the most dangerous and decorated female fighters in mixed martial arts.
Round 1
Viera comes out with a calf kick and Harrison fires back with a left. Harrison is stalking early as Vieira circles the outer part of the cage. Vieira fires another left kick and Harrison offers a front kick to the body in return. Harrison throws a head kick and then promptly shoots in for a takedown, clinching Vieira up against the fence. Vieira defends well as Harrison looks to land some strikes and knees to the body of her opponent.
Fans are getting a little restless as the action stalls out with two minutes to go in the round. Vieira manages to separate and gets back to the center of the Octagon. Vieira throws a left hook. Harrison responds with a nice kick to the body. Harrison goes low with a leg kick prompting Vieira to counter with a right. As we hit the one-minute mark, Harrison shoots for a takedown in the middle of the cage and puts Vieira flat on her back. Harrison moves into mount and starts dropping some punishing elbows. Vieira gives up her back briefly before thinking twice about it.
Harrison continues to drop bombs until the first round horn sounds.
Round 2
Harrison opens the second round with an inside low kick that momentarily takes Vieira off her feet. Both women stay upright for the first two minutes as Harrison patiently looks for an opening. Harrison comes in with a right and Vieira counters. Harrison once again attacks the lead leg and Vieira responds with a right hand that partially connects.
As we approach the three-minute mark, Harrison bullies her way inside and clinches up with Vieira against the fence. Harrison briefly separates and Vieira lands a big elbow inside. Harrison eats it well and moves right back into the clinch. Harrison tries to pay her back with an elbow of her own. Vieira is again doing a good job of defending against the fence, preventing Harrison from muscling her to the mat. That prompts referee Marc Goddard to call for action.
Harrison appears to be sporting a big knot over her eye and Goddard separates the two fighters with 15 seconds to go. Harrison offers up a head kick that Vieira blocks right before the end of the round.
Round 3
Harrison goes right back to the clinch game, but Vieira defends and separates, landing a crisp shot in the process that has blood trickling from Harrison’s nose. Harrison lands another inside leg kick that knocks Vieira off her feet. Harrison lunges for another takedown, but Vieira defends with ease. Vieira throws a right, but there’s not much behind it. Harrison goes high with a head kick that gets blocked. Harrison again goes for a takedown and misses, but she manages to clinch Vieira up against the cage wall and eventually drags her down.
Harrison looks to land some ground and pound shots. Vieira tries to throw up a desperation triangle choke from the bottom, but Harrison fends it off and drops another nasty elbow from the top. Harrison easily moves from half-guard into full mount and starts reigning down shots. Vieira gives up her back and Harrison briefly goes for a rear-naked choke before letting go and maintaining control through the end of the fight.
Official Result: Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307:
Ketlen Vieira 🆚 Kayla Harrison #UFC307pic.twitter.com/Dgp8MgJSRC
— UFC Fans (@ufcfansfr) October 6, 2024
TITLE SHOT NEXT FOR KAYLA HARRISON 😤 #UFC307 pic.twitter.com/FHQzLr71LB
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 6, 2024
