Bantamweight has always been the cornerstone of women’s MMA in the UFC. The division has been a perennial proving ground for all-time greats like Amanda Nunes, Ronda Rousey, Holly Holm, and Miesha Tate. It is safe to say that this tradition has not changed one bit. The Brazilian sensation, Ketlen Vieira is slowly but surely coming up as the top contender for the division gold.

Holding a professional record of 14-3-0, “Fenômeno” is currently ranked #2 in the official Bantamweight rankings. As she continues on an upward trajectory, fans have been interested to know about her personal life. Where does she come from? Her coaching staff and has she tied the knot yet? We will answer all your queries moving forward!

Where is Ketlen Vieira from? Ethnicity and early life

The Brazilian contender was born on August 26, 1991, in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Her journey towards MMA began at the tender age of 12 when she started practicing the nation’s legendary martial art form, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Later, she added judo to her repertoire, eventually earning a black belt in both disciplines.

Despite her athletic prowess and fighting credentials, Vieira went on to pursue a degree in law at Universidade Nilton Lins. However, her passion for the fight game ultimately prevailed which led her to drop out and focus solely on her fighting career. This decision proved to be right as she is now on the brink of challenging for the world title. 

During her official interaction with the UFC, she expressed her love for the bright lights of the Octagon and also her dream to one day enter the proving grounds which has been a showcase for legends before her. ‘Fenômeno’ credits her parents as a beacon of guidance and expresses her appreciation for helping her to realize her childhood dream. Apart from her first family, Vieira’s love life is something special. 

Closer look at Vieira’s love life and more 

With a long-standing relationship, Vieira’s partner has been a constant presence throughout her illustrious career. While she has been quite private on this particular matter, she has often expressed gratitude for her strong support system. 

For Vieira, having a proper balance between her professional and personal life is the most crucial aspect and her partner’s understanding has been instrumental in achieving this equilibrium. As of now, there is no public information about whether Vieira has children, as she intends to remain focused on her career and other challenges.  

The Brazilian’s training regiment

Vieira started her training under Marcinho Pontes, a renowned coach who had previously worked with the legendary Jose Aldo at Brazil’s Nova Uniao Manaus gym. Under Pontes’ guidance, Vieira made her professional debut in MMA and gained notoriety for her impressive performances which included six consecutive victories in just 17 months. 

The Brazilian native continues to train at Nova União Manaus which has since expanded into a global network of academies owing to the success of ‘The King of Rio’. In recent years, the team has been led by Leonardo Santos, who was invited by founders Wendell Alexander and Dedé Pederneiras. Under his watchful eye, the team has committed to its mission of excellence with Vieira turning out to be one of the top prospects in the UFC. 

Vieira’s MMA record and eventual journey to the UFC

‘Fenômeno’ began her professional MMA career in Brazil, debuting on October 2, 2014 at Circuito de Lutas: Fight Night 4. In her inaugural outing, she showcased her power as he knocked out Juliana Leite in the second round. She subsequently transitioned to the UFC where she made her debut at UFC Fight Night 96 on October 1, 2016. She has continued to impress ever since and has been an 8-year veteran in the MMA juggernaut. 

Her rise in the UFC was marked by victories over notable opponents like Ashlee Evans-Smith and the legendary Cat Zingano. However, her undefeated streak was snapped by a first-round knockout against Irene Aldana. Undeterred, the Brazilian bounced back with impressive wins against tough contenders such as Marion Reneau and Yana Kunitskaya, solidifying her position as a top contender in the division. 

Vieira’s victories over division icons like Holly Holm and Meisha Tate were both met with some controversy as certain media outlets questioned the judges’ decisions. Despite the external scrutiny, the Brazilian has continued to impress the MMA community with her performances. Her victory over Tate at UFC Vegas 43 was the perfect amalgamation of her fight IQ, patience, and determination. 

Moreover, she demonstrated remarkable empathy, acknowledging the significance of the fight for both herself and her ‘dancing partner’ inside the octagon. Her post-fight display of emotion including repeated apologies to Tate highlighted her humility and sportsmanship. As the Brazilian looks to compete against yet another legend in the form of Kayla Harrison, will she be able to continue her dominant stance in the Octagon? How will she fare against an opponent of Harrison’s caliber at UFC 307? Drop your comments below!