Ketlen Vieira Bio
Ketlen Vieira da Silva, born on August 26, 1991, is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the women’s Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Known for her black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, Vieira has established herself as a skilled and versatile fighter since beginning her MMA career in 2014.
Early Life and Background
Ketlen Vieira was born in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. She began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at a young age and started practicing Judo when she was twelve years old. Vieira holds black belts in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo, reflecting her strong martial arts foundation. Additionally, she is a decorated wrestler with multiple prestigious titles, including the Brazilian national wrestling championship. Vieira attended University Nilton Lins, where she studied law before deciding to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
Vieira transitioned to mixed martial arts after training under Marcinho Pontes, who was an early coach of former UFC champion José Aldo at the Nova União Manaus gym. She made her professional MMA debut in Brazil in 2014, quickly gaining attention for her skills and winning her first six fights. Vieira captured the Mr. Cage bantamweight title during this period, compiling a 6–0 record before signing with the UFC.
Ketlen Vieira Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Ketlen Vieira began her professional MMA career on October 2, 2014, at Circuito de Lutas: Fight Night 4 in São Paulo, where she knocked out Juliana Leite in the second round. She fought exclusively in Brazil during this time, winning multiple bouts under the Mr. Cage and Big Way Fight Night promotions. Her early success included winning the Mr. Cage bantamweight title and establishing herself as a rising prospect in the sport.
Ultimate Fighting Championship Breakthrough (2016–Present)
Vieira made her UFC debut on October 1, 2016, at UFC Fight Night 96 in Portland, Oregon, defeating Kelly Faszholz by split decision. She faced challenges with weight cutting but managed to secure the win. Over the following years, Vieira earned notable victories against opponents such as Ashlee Evans-Smith, Sara McMann, Cat Zingano, and Miesha Tate. She demonstrated her grappling prowess with submission wins and showcased resilience in decision victories.
Throughout her UFC tenure, Vieira has faced setbacks, including a knockout loss to Irene Aldana and a unanimous decision loss to Yana Kunitskaya. Despite these, she continued to climb the bantamweight rankings, reaching as high as #4 as of November 2025. Her fights against Holly Holm and Raquel Pennington were closely contested, with mixed decisions. Vieira’s recent bouts include a unanimous decision win over Pannie Kianzad and a split decision loss to Norma Dumont.
Team Feitosa and Nova União Manaus Era (2014–Present)
Ketlen Vieira trains with Team Feitosa and Nova União Manaus, where she has developed her skills under experienced coaches. Her training emphasizes a blend of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and wrestling, contributing to her well-rounded fighting style. Vieira’s partnership with her team has been integral to her competitive performances in the UFC.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Vieira is known for her strong grappling abilities, holding black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo. She effectively uses her wrestling background to control opponents and secure submissions. Her fighting style combines technical ground skills with strategic striking, making her a versatile and dangerous competitor in the bantamweight division.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key moments in Vieira’s career include her UFC debut victory, winning the Mr. Cage bantamweight title, and notable wins over top contenders such as Sara McMann and Miesha Tate. She has faced some of the division’s elite fighters and maintained a competitive presence in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
Ketlen Vieira Career Wins
Ketlen Vieira has accumulated a professional MMA record of 15 wins and 5 losses. Her victories include 4 by submission, 1 by knockout, and 4 by decision, demonstrating her ability to finish fights and win on the judges’ scorecards.
UFC Highlights
Since joining the UFC in 2016, Vieira has secured multiple wins against high-level opponents. Her first UFC victory came by split decision against Kelly Faszholz. She earned submission wins, such as the arm-triangle choke against Sara McMann, and notable decision wins over fighters like Miesha Tate. Vieira continues to be a strong contender in the women’s bantamweight division.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Vieira fought exclusively in Brazil, where she won the Mr. Cage bantamweight title and built an undefeated record of 6–0. These early performances established her as a promising talent in mixed martial arts.
Ketlen Vieira Family
Family Background and Lineage
Details about Ketlen Vieira’s family background are not publicly documented. Her martial arts training and competitive career have been primarily shaped by her coaches and teams in Manaus, Brazil.
Personal Life
Public information about Vieira’s personal life, including marital status and children, is not available. She resides in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, where she continues her training and professional career.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Ketlen Vieira remains an active competitor in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. She faced Kayla Harrison at UFC 307 in October 2024, losing by unanimous decision. Vieira was scheduled to fight Macy Chiasson multiple times during 2024 and 2025, with bouts postponed due to injuries. She eventually fought Chiasson at UFC on ESPN 68 in May 2025, winning by unanimous decision in a featherweight bout due to weight management issues. Vieira also competed against Norma Dumont in November 2025, losing by split decision in a closely contested fight. Vieira’s performances in 2025 demonstrate her ongoing presence among the top contenders in her division, with prospects for future title contention.