Kayla Harrison decisions Ketlen Vieira at UFC 307

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion Kayla Harrison made her octagon debut at UFC 300 and dominated former bantamweight champion Holly Holm.  Harrison considers herself the ‘uncrowned queen’ of the bantamweight division.  

On Saturday, she took on second-ranked Ketlen Vieira in a fight that will likely produce the next title challenger.  Vieira entered the match coming off a win over Pannie Kianzad in July.  She has wins over two former champions, Miesha Tate and Holm, and planned to end the Harrison hype train.

Vieira landed first with a leg kick.  She circled on the outside as Harrison took the center of the octagon.  Harrison connected with a left hand.  She quickly closed the distance and initiated the clinch.  With Vieira’s back to the cage, Harrison delivered knees to the body.  Harrison separated with just under two minutes left in the round.  

Vieira landed a leg kick and Harrison responded with a kick to the body.  Harrison closed the distance and tripped Vieira to the ground.  Harrison gained top position and worked inside Vieira’s half guard.  Harrison advanced to mount and connected with a hard elbow.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Harrison.

Harrison landed first in the second frame with a leg kick.  Vieira landed a right hand.  Harrison responded with an inside leg kick that knocked Vieira down.  Vieira quickly got back to her feet.  The threat of a takedown seemed to have slowed Vieira’s output.  Harrison closed the distance after absorbing a right hand.  In the clinch, Harrison delivered a knee to the body and an elbow on the inside.  On the break, Vieira connected with a solid elbow.  

Harrison clinched again and delivered a series of knees to the body.  The referee separated them.  Vieira landed a leg kick.  Harrison had a knot and cut on her forehead.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Harrison.

They touched gloves to start the final frame.  Harrison delivered a leg kick that knocked Vieira off her feet.  Harrison pressed forward but Vieira circled free.  Harrison stepped in the pocket with a left hand.  Vieira delivered a leg kick followed by a right hand to the body.  Harrison looked to get the fight to the ground.  She clinched and tripped Vieira to the canvas.  

Midway through the round, Harrison postured up and connected with a left hand.  Harrison worked in Vieira’s open guard and delivered left hands.  Harrison stood and dropped back into Vieira’s guard with a hard elbow.  Harrison advanced to the mount position.  Vieira worked her way back to half guard.  The round ended with Harrison standing over Vieira.  MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Harrison.     

The judges scored the fight for Harrison via unanimous decision.  The scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.