“I started training because I love the sport,” said Vieira, who recorded a unanimous decision victory over Miesha Tate in November to improve her record to 12-2 on aggregate before the clash of Saturday with Holm. “I’ve been training since I was 12, and today being at the level of these athletes makes me very happy and fulfilled.
“My second straight fight against a former champion. I dreamed at least once in my life of being a UFC main eventer; God is wonderful, and this is my second in a row.
The fight with Tate was a critical turning point for the 30-year-old Brazilian, who positioned himself as a potential title contender after a hard-fought victory over Cat Zingano at UFC 222 before missing 21 months of action due to a serious knee injury. .
Upon his return, Vieira met Irene Aldana, suffering the first loss of his career. After bouncing back with a win over Sijara Eubanks, she kicked off her 2021 campaign by landing on the unhappy side of a split decision verdict against Yana Kunitskaya that many felt the judges got wrong, in a fight she sadly missed. weight.
Rather than bemoan the result and dwell on his mistakes, Vieira pushed on, signed to face Tate in his second fight since returning to action, and remained focused for a six-week delay when the fight ended. been rescheduled.
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From the way she played, you wouldn’t have known it was the first five-round fight of her career or the first time to headline a UFC event.
