LAS VEGAS – Holly Holm’s return to the octagon from a 19-month layoff is official. The former UFC women’s bantamweight champion and opponent Ketlen Vieira have weight for the UFC Fight Night 206 headliner.
Holm (14-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) and Vieira (12-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) are slated for a crucial divisional contender matchup on Saturday at the UFC Apex. The main event bout, along with the rest of the card, streams on ESPN+.
Both fighters stepped on the scale during Friday’s official weigh-in window, with Holm registering at 135.5 pounds, and Vieira clocking in at 136 pounds. Now the five-round fight can proceed as planned.
Holm, No. 4 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie women’s bantamweight rankings, hasn’t seen action since a unanimous decision win over Irene Aldana at UFC on ESPN 16 in October 2020. She’s been on the sidelines with injuries and health issues, and is now set to return and compete for the first time since turning 40.
No. 9-ranked Vieira will attempt to derail Holm’s comeback in defeat a former UFC champion for the second consecutive fight. The 30-year-old Brazilian is coming off a unanimous decision win over Miesha Tate at UFC Fight Night 198 in November.
Watch the video above to see Holm and Vieira weigh in for the UFC Fight Night 206 headliner.
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