Holly Holm marked her return to the cage against Ketlen Vieira after a two-year hiatus to headline UFC Vegas 55. Holm had last fought in October 2020 to get a win over Irene Aldana. ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ had made her intentions of getting a title shot clear going into the fight and had also teased an outing in boxing.
Vieira was the more active fighter going into the contest but had only fought five rounds once in her prior winning efforts over Miesha Tate last November. The ladie’s clash served as the main event for UFC Fight Night 206: Holm vs. Vieira.
Holly Holm vs. Ketlen Vieira
Round 1
Both ladies keep their distance in the first minute. Holm bounces around while gauging distance. Some low kicks here from Vieira & Holm. Holm has her against the cage as she looks to take her down. Vieira attempts to trip Holm but does not manage to do so. Holm throws knees at the inside of Vieira’s legs as she has her pinned against the cage. Vieira slowly moves to the side as Holm keeps her against the cage. Holm strikes with the knees. Holm is still on the under hook going into the last minute of the round. Vieira tries repeatedly to get out but struggles. The two exchange some strikes in the same position. Vieira gets the fight to the ground before Holm restores position to end the round.
Round 2
Holm opens the round with a low kick. Vieira misses a head kick. Holm circles Vieira from the outside before being taken against the fence. Holm returns to the middle and stays on the inside. The two are in line with Holm appearing to look for an opening. Holm moves back to avoid a counterattack from Vieira. A snapping right hand over the top for Vieira. Holm goes in with punches and Vieira uses a judo throw to take her down and get on top position. Vieira has her leg but Holm manages to get up. Vieira holds Holm against the cage before Holm escapes. Both return to the middle of the octagon. Holm goes for a takedown. A nice double leg entry but struggling to take Vieira down. Vieira doing a fine job at maintaining her balance. Vieira escapes and immediately takes her back. Vieira has a deep submission locked on Holm. Holm is in big trouble here, her face getting red. Holm manages to survive. Holm keeps Vieira pinned against the cage again to end the round.
Round 3
Holm lands a straight left on Vieira’s chest. Low kick on the outside from Holm. A heavy inside leg kick lands for Vieira. Holm blitzes in with a flurry of punches but misses. Holm gets in range to grapple and has Vieira against the cage. Holm stays in the position trading knees with the Brazilian. Vieira is unable to address Holm’s right arm. Holm loses wrist control and the two separate. Vieira goes in on Holm but misses. Holm attempts a head kick and hits the guard. Vieira connects with a right. Vieira counters Holm’s blitz with a left hook. Holm takes Vieira back against the cage. Holm has Vieira’s wrist out and her right hand is around Vieira underneath her arm to keep her locked against the fence. Holm has recorded 7 minutes and 37 seconds of clinch control time already. Vieira frees herself before the two attempts to get in the clinch again. Holm moves away and Vieira hits with a right. Holm looks hurt and chooses to clinch for the end of the round.
Round 4
Vieira has received encouragement from her corner to go for a knockout.
Holly Holm kicks off the round with aggression. Both ladies stay in the middle and look to land clean. Holm gets in line and moves away. Vieira lands a right hand on Holm when she rushes in. Vieira moves forward with punches. Holm gets hit by a couple of punches. Vieira connects with a right hook. Holm blitzes in once again. A powerful straight leg to the body by Holm sends Vieira down to the canvas. Vieira gets up and continues exchanging strikes. Holm goes in and grapples. Vieira moves away to the middle of the cage and avoids the fence. Vieira hits another right to snap Holm’s head back. Vieira lands a beautiful counterattack. Holm hits Vieira with two straight extended leg kicks. Holm blitzes in and grapples with Vieira to end the round.
Vieira’s coach is mad at her for her performance. Sharp rebuke being dished out before the final round.
Round 5
The ladies open the round with a friendly hug. Vieira lands a high kick to get Holm’s attention. Vieira connects with a spinning elbow flush on Holm. Another straight right from Vieira. Holm goes in for the clinch. The two separate before Holm goes for the clinch again. Vieira moves away to escape. Nice counter right from Vieira. Holm rushes in, connects with a left, and gets into a clinch. Holm pins Vieira back against the cage before the two return to the middle. Holm lands a high front kick on Vieira and another one again. Vieira fires back with an uppercut. Holm is circling from the outside. Holm goes for the double leg takedown and ends up taking the single leg. Holm pins Vieira against the cage again to clock clinch control time of over 9 minutes before the final sixty seconds. Holm attempts more strikes from the outside before going for the clinch. Holm pins Vieira against the fence again. Vieira looking for the arm to get a submission but doesn’t get much. Vieira goes for a takedown and is pushed against the cage in a reversal by Holm. Holm pushes her weight onto Vieira to keep her against the fence to end the fight.
Official Result: Ketlen Vieira defeats Holly Holm via Split Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
Check out the highlights below:
The soon to be International Boxing Hall of Famer. 🏆
⛪ @HollyHolm continuing to expand her legacy tonight! #UFCVegas55 pic.twitter.com/AFP69G5YMv
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) May 22, 2022
To the second round we go! #UFCVegas55 pic.twitter.com/vNrd8vf9Gs
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2022
How did Holly escape this 🤯 #UFCVegas55 pic.twitter.com/HLUrWcr83D
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2022
5th and final round here we come! How do you have it scored? 📝 #UFCVegas55 pic.twitter.com/k1nHjCHfuS
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2022
Your winner by split decision – @KetlenVieiraUFC! #UFCVegas55 pic.twitter.com/8QuJJOxIX3
— UFC (@ufc) May 22, 2022