Las Vegas, NV — With her post-fight bonus from her last fight, a submission of Mallory Martin at UFC 258 last year, strawweight Polyana Viana bought herself a car.
Viana (12-4) was also sporting some new ink during the UFC Vegas 55 media day on Wednesday. There, she told reporters that she’s planning on scoring another post-fight bonus in her return, which comes after more than a year off.
“Yes, in a very funny way,” said Viana. Though she wouldn’t give any hints. “No, it’s a surprise.”
If she pulls it off, maybe a house is next?
Viana is matched up with fellow Brazilian fighter Tabatha Ricci at the event on Saturday, and admits fighting a countrywoman wasn’t her first choice. “I was a little bit sad because it’s a Brazilian, but it’s work and there’s not a lot we can do about it.”
While Ricci had told the media earlier on Saturday that she was surprised to find the pair had been bumped up to Saturday’s main card, Viana hadn’t even seen the bout order period. “I didn’t even know I was on the prelims, because I hadn’t seen the card yet,” she told Cageside Press. “So it’s normal for me.”
Come Saturday, Viana will be fighting out of the legendary Chute Box for the first time. Given her and Ricci both come from a BJJ background, “I think it might go to the ground, because we’re both from jiu-jitsu,” said Viana, before hedging her bets and adding “but it might end up in a stand-up fight for exactly that reason.”
As to her preference, that’s simple: “Ground.” She’s also hoping for a quick night at the office. “I’d rather it ends in the first round.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 55 media day scrum with Polyana Viana above. More coverage from the event can be found below. UFC Vegas 55 takes place this Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Tabatha Ricci
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Katlen Vieira
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Parker Porter
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Dusko Todorovic
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Jun-Yong Park
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Michel Pereira
