Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira kicked off the UFC 307 main card in Salt Lake City in a women’s bantamweight fight that was likely to produce the next title challenger.
With Raquel Pennington looking to defend her title later in the night against Julianna Pena, the winner of Harrison vs. Vieira was in prime position to strike next. Harrison, a two-time Olympian and two-time PFL champ, had been eyed as a contender since arriving in the UFC earlier this year.
Vieira would land the first kick, Harrison the first punch as the Pay-Per-View portion of UFC 307 got underway. The pair circled, both bouncing on their feet, a bit of nervous energy in the air perhaps. Just under 90 seconds in, Harrison went high with a kick then ducked under for a takedown. Vieira found herself driven back into the fence, but fought off the initial attempt. Harrison, with an underhook, fired knees to the body, while Vieira tried to soften her opponent up with short punches. Harrison’s knees were the more effective of the two attacks, however, and she was in control, adding punches and later an elbow or two over the top.
Vieira, however, survied, came off the fence, and took the fight back to center with 90 seconds left in the round. Harrison ripped a kick to the body, backing Vieira up. She added a leg kick to the outside; moments later, she had her first takedown of the fight, off a left hand. Harrison was quickly to half guard and then mount, pulling her leg through. Vieira tried to roll over, but turned back only to eat a massive elbow. The Brazilian next tried to slip out the back, but could not; Harrison postured up, and dropped more ground n’ pound, only to be held up by the horn.
The second round opened with Harrison flashing a front kick, then a low kick. Another front kick, a mile wide, followed a moment later. The next low kick took Vieira’s legs out from under her. Harrison telegraphed a takedown attempt about 90 seconds in, which Vieira saw coming and quickly backed away from. Neither women had much going in the first half of the round, but Harrison eventually cornered Vieira against the fence, tying things up. Harrinson was a little more aggressive this time, with a knee, and an elbow; Vieira answered back with her own elbow. Harrison, however, was controlling the fight, in her comfort zone. While no takedown was forthcoming, Vieira wasn’t earning any points playing defense- though a welt had formed over one eye, likely from the earlier elbow.
Round three saw Harrison immediately close the distance, taking the fight to the fence. Vieira, however, immediately freed herself. A big Harrison leg kick then tripped up Vieira, but Harrison couldn’t take advantage, and a takedown attempt again saw the American lunging in only for Vieira to easily pull back. Another takedown attempt, and Vieira freed herself, but Harrison re-engaged, and care of a trip, finally got the fight down. 2:45 was still showing on the clock in the third, giving Kayla Harrison ample time to work.
Vieira had her head against the cage, and Harrison in her guard. The ref, in the midst of Harrison working to find space, urged her to work; Harrison answered with an elbow, then a punch to the body. A volley of left hands followed. Vieira closed her guard, perhaps thinking triangle, but wasn’t really close to landing one. Instead, Harrison landed another elbow or two. Harrison then pulled one leg over, then another through Vieira’s guard, taking mount with just under a minute remaining. Vieira gave up her back, but rolled again and regained half-guard, with Harrison dropping one or two more punches before the final horn.
Taking the win on all three scorecards, a title shot is almost certainly next for Kayla Harrison.
Official Result: Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
