UFC Vegas 43: Ketlen Vieira outpoints Miesha Tate in night’s main event

Ketlen Vieira defeated Miesha Tate by unanimous decision in their women’s bantamweight main event at UFC Vegas 43 on Saturday night.

Vieira (12-2) won on the judge’s scorecards with scores of 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.

Ketlen Vieira beats Miesha Tate by decision in UFC Vegas 43 main event

“That’s what I’m here for — I’m here to fight the best,” the Brazilian Vieira said via an interpreter after the fight. “Respect my skills.”

Tate, a former bantamweight champion, was fighting in her second bout after returning from a five-year retirement. She returned victorious in July with a technical knockout win over Marion Reneau. But she ran into a problem in the fifth round as Vieira battered her en route to the win.

Tate (19-8) was taken to a local hospital for a CT scan on her head and face, the UFC said afterward.

“I’ve always dreamed about being in a main event against a legend,” Vieira said. “To be able to live that moment and get a victory, I don’t have words to express.”

In other main card action, Sean Brady outwrestled Michael Chiesa in the co-main event, Taila Santos defeated Joanne Wood by submission (rear-naked choke) in the first round, Rani Yahya scored a unanimous decision win over Kyung Ho Kang, and Adrian Yanez beat England’s Davey Grant by split-decision in the main card opener.

UFC Vegas 43 performance bonus winners

• Fight of the night: Adrian Yanez vs Davey Grant
• Performance of the night: Taila Santos

–Field Level Media