Ketlen Vieira leaves UFC for PFL after ending Cavalcanti's eight-fight streak

Ketlen Vieira has signed with the Professional Fighters League, the Brazilian fighter announced on Tuesday, marking her first move outside the UFC after a 15-fight Octagon career. A debut date has not yet been set, but Vieira is expected to compete at featherweight given that the PFL does not currently operate a 135-pound women’s division.

Vieira departed the UFC on a strong note, going 10-5 overall in the promotion before her release earlier this year. Her final appearance came at UFC Fight Night 276, where she snapped the eight-fight winning streak of rising contender Jacqueline Cavalcanti — a result that underlined her continued relevance at the top level of women’s MMA.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I can only thank God for pouring countless blessings into it,” Vieira wrote on Instagram. “Every day, I experience the truth of the verse that says: ‘All things work together for the good of those who love God.’”

Known by her nickname “Fenomeno”, Vieira built one of the more decorated résumés in the women’s bantamweight division during her UFC tenure. Her notable victories include wins over former champion Holly Holm, Strikeforce legend Miesha Tate, Macy Chiasson, Cat Zingano, and Sara McMann — a list that reflects the calibre of competition she has consistently faced and beaten.

The signing continues the PFL’s ongoing effort to deepen the talent pool across its women’s divisions, adding a proven, high-profile name who arrives with both championship-level experience and a recent winning result to her name.