Ketlen Vieira returns to the UFC with a decision win over Sijara Eubanks
The second stint of “Fight Island” kicks off with UFC 253 tonight, Saturday, Sept. 26.
Headlining the pay-per-view event is a battle of undefeated fighters in UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya and the surging Paulo Costa. The first of two title fights takes place in the co-main event as Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz look to claim the vacant UFC light-heavyweight championship.
Before those fights take place, a women’s bantamweight bout between Ketlen Vieira and Sijara Eubanks will take place on the main card.
Vieira (10-1) comes into the fight ranked No. 7 in the world according to the official UFC rankings. In 2019, Vieira was unbeaten and was a fight away from challenging Amanda Nunez for the bantamweight championship. Unfortunately for her, she lost to Irene Aldana at UFC 245 and now has to make her way back towards the top. This is her first fight since that loss as she’s been sidelined with injuries.
Eubanks (7-4) is fighting tonight just 14 days after she defeated Julia Avila at UFC Vegas 10. This is her third appearance of 2020 as she also beat Sarah Moras back in May. Earlier this week, Eubanks spoke with MyMMANews about tonight’s fight.
Here’s how their fight went down at UFC 253, including round-by-round scoring. For a full list of results, check them out here.
Round 1
Vieira immediately goes to the clinch and pushes Eubanks against the cage. Eubanks turns Vieira around and then breaks the clinch.
Vieira stays long and lands a jab. Moments later Eubanks lands a nice leg kick and follows up with a nice right hand.
After eating the shot, Vieira goes back to the clinch and eventually shoots in for a takedown. Eubanks stuffs the takedown and lands a nice uppercut off of it.
The two exchange heavy punches and Vieira gets the better of the exchange. Vieira lands another nice long punch, but Eubanks rolls with it an counters to the body.
After slinging punches yet again, Vieira lands a takedown and it will give her a close opening round.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Vieira
Round 2
Eubanks opens by going with a high kick, but the shot is blocked.
Vieira goes for the takedown and secures it and now has a lot of time to work.
Eubanks is defending well from the bottom and Vieira is trying to get into a position to start throwing some ground and pound.
Referee Jason Herzog stands the fighters up with just over two minutes to go.
Eubanks with a nice combo as she goes to the body again and then follows up with a nice overhand right.
Vieira goes back to the long right hand and it lands.
Stand up is extremely close, but the takedowns is giving Vieira the edge.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Vieira
Round 3
Eubanks corner is calling for a home run shots and she is coming out swinging.
Vieira is trying to stay away and clinch whenever she can.
Eubanks lands two huge shots, but Vieira is still standing.
Vieira mixes in a beautiful jab and then a few seconds later she lands the right hand.
These ladies are going at it with both landing huge shots on one another.
Eubanks goes to the body again and she’s having plenty of success with that throughout the fight. Now Eubanks lands a kick to the leg and a kick to the body.
MyMMANews scores it 10-9 Eubanks
MyMMANews scores it 29-28 Vieira
Official Result: Ketlen Vieira defeats Sijara Eubanks by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
