Ketlen Vieira missed weight significantly for her scheduled featherweight title bout against Cris Cyborg at PFL Tampa. Vieira, who was set to challenge for Cyborg’s 145-pound title, weighed in at 155.2 pounds, exceeding the limit by 7.2 pounds. Despite the weight miss, the fight will proceed, but Vieira is no longer eligible to win the title. This means Cris Cyborg will retain her belt regardless of the fight’s outcome.
The event, taking place in Florida, features Cris Cyborg in what has been described as her retirement fight. Cyborg, a former UFC and Bellator champion, successfully made weight, hitting 145 pounds. She is entering this contest as a betting favorite.
Vieira’s PFL Debut and UFC Release
This fight marks Ketlen Vieira’s debut in the PFL. She previously competed in the UFC as a bantamweight, where she fought at 135 pounds earlier this year. Vieira’s release from the UFC in May came as a surprise to her, as she was ranked in the Top 5 and had secured victories over two former bantamweight champions. Her release followed a decision win over Jacqueline Cavalcanti at UFC Vegas 117.
Vieira expressed her disbelief regarding the UFC’s decision not to renew her contract, stating that she believed she was a better athlete than many others in the bantamweight division. She also mentioned that she was guided towards a title shot, which she found in the PFL. This is the second time in her career that Vieira has missed weight.
In addition to the main event’s weigh-in issue, a preliminary card fight between Omran Chabaan and Florim Zendeli was canceled on Friday. Reports indicate that the cancellation was due to weight-cutting problems experienced by Zendeli. Zendeli had previously headlined PFL Sioux Falls against Logan Storley just a few months prior.
Cris Cyborg’s Storied Career and Future Plans
Cris Cyborg, at 41 years old, has had a distinguished 21-year career, securing titles across various promotions. She views her 2009 victory over Gina Carano for the Strikeforce featherweight title as her proudest moment. This fight was significant as it was the first women’s title bout to headline a major event and was broadcast live on primetime television in America. It also introduced five, five-minute rounds for women’s MMA bouts, a departure from the previous three, three-minute rounds.
Cyborg believes this fight opened doors for women in MMA, not just for herself but for other female fighters. She noted the growth of the sport and the increased opportunities for women, a reality she attributes in part to that pivotal fight. Following her win against Carano, Cyborg earned the moniker “the killing machine.”
Over the 17 years since that fight, Cris Cyborg has compiled a record of 21 wins in 22 fights, earning world titles in promotions such as the UFC, Bellator, and PFL. Her upcoming defense against Ketlen Vieira is the final match-up on her PFL contract and part of what she has termed her “legacy tour.”
Cyborg has hinted that this fight could be her last in MMA, though she has not definitively confirmed her retirement. She has also expressed interest in focusing more on professional boxing, where she holds six victories. Other notable moments in her career include her UFC debut in 2016 against Lina Lansberg, her 2020 win over Arlene Blencowe to defend her Bellator featherweight belt, and her 2024 victory against Larissa Pacheco.
When she steps into the cage against Vieira, Cyborg will extend her record for the most world-title fights in MMA history, with 14 bouts. She will also aim to increase her record for the most knockouts, currently standing at 21, with Amanda Nunes in second place with 13. Cyborg attributes her longevity in the sport to maintaining humility and a continuous desire to learn. She also harbors a long-standing dream of becoming a veterinary surgeon, indicating a potential future away from combat sports.
The main card for PFL Tampa is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. ET.
Source: mmajunkie-eu.usatoday.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.