Former bantamweight title challenger and Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann was in action Saturday at UFC 215. The decorated wrestler topped off the televised preliminary portion of the card, and faced off against the undefeated Ketlen Vieira.
McMann, for her part, entered the bout on a three fight winning streak. Over the course of her MMA career, she had lost only to champions and future champions, with her three professional losses coming to Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, and current champ Amanda Nunes.
For McMann, UFC 215 was a chance to get back into the title picture. For Vieira, it was a step up in competition and a shot at her biggest scalp to date.
Round one saw McMann immediately move forward with a combo, then flash a level change. A drive in that pressed Vieira against the cage came moments later. McMann worked in some knees along the cage, while Ketlan Vieira worked to keep things standing. A throw later and she was on the ground and eating a McMann elbow. Several more would follow, while Vieira would keep a closed guard and look to snatch an arm. McMann would stay on top and control for a while before opening up and landing a ton of ground and pound with a minute left. However, that allowed Vieira to lock in a heel hook with thirty seconds to go in the round. It was close for a moment, but McMann fended the attempt off. Vieira, however, had managed to survive the round.
In the second, McMann went for a single, and ate some heavy hammer fists for her troubles. McMann would continue to press the fight up against the cage, working in knees and elbows while Vieira simply looked to keep things standing. Suddenly, she scored a takedown of her own out of nowhere! Stunningly, Vieira managed to maintain top position, and lock in an arm triangle choke from half guard. McMann was caught, and forced to tap!
Ketlen Vieira def. Sarah McMann by submission (arm triangle choke), Round 2, 4:16
For more UFC 215 results, check our UFC Events page throughout the evening!
