Holly Holm makes her long-awaited return by taking on Ketlen Vieira in the main event of UFC Vegas 55. The fight is expected to be a fun kickboxing match between two women that want to prove their title contenders at bantamweight. The division is up in the air after Julianna Pena beat Amanda Nunes and now, everyone wants an opportunity to get back at the top. This fight was booked as the main event due to Holm's star power after her historic upset over Ronda Rousey back in 2015. Her career since has been about fighting for belts and competing in main events that involve potentially title contenders. Vieira has been putting in the work over the years and is being given an opportunity to capitalize on her big win over former champion Miesha Tate. Both women have a tall order in front of them.

 

Holly Holm is coming off of the longest layoff of her career. That's not to be mistaken with an active schedule though. The former UFC bantamweight champion has been fighting about once a year since 2018. Most of it has to do with injuries. Holm is still one of the best bantamweights in the world despite the injuries. Her only non-title loss in her MMA career is to Valentina Shevchenko. Her last two fights have come against Irene Aldana and Raquel Pennington and both fights were reminders that there are levels to this game. Her striking has been the difference and her counterstriking is as good as ever. This fight is a very important one if she wants to fight for the belt and prove that she's still relevant in a division that's slowly starting to change with new contenders.

Ketlen Vieira is looking to prove she's a title contender at bantamweight with a statement-making win over Holly Holm. She holds a black belt in both judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu and has a strong background in wrestling. Her striking has been developing throughout her career and was a big factor in her last win. Her last fight came against Miesha Tate in November and it's still not clear if the win is because of her skills or Tate's decline. Nevertheless, the Brazilian is looking to make a big statement and could potentially have the skills to get things done. It's a tall order, but Holm is coming off of a long layoff and now is the time if the Brazilian wants to capitalize on a big opportunity.

Here are the UFC Vegas 55 odds, featuring our Holly Holm-Ketlen Vieira prediction, courtesy of FanDuel.

UFC Vegas 55 Odds: Holly Holm-Ketlen Vieira Odds

Holly Holm (-265)

Ketlen Vieira (+210)

Over 4.5 rounds (-270)

Under 4.5 rounds (+200)

How Holly Holm Wins The Fight At UFC Vegas 55

Holly Holm has a clear path to victory in this one and it's through her elite kickboxing. She's looked excellent in her past fights and she's been outstriking everyone. Ketlen Vieira plays right into her game as she doesn't mind leading the dance and doesn't move her head. Many are expecting the former champion to earn a stoppage and it has a lot to do with the Brazilian's problems on the feet. Holm will need to keep the fight off of the ground and comfortably outstrike her opponent. She'll use her movement to keep the Brazilian chasing her and should have plenty of opportunities to land strikes on the counter. The opportunity for a finish will come the more she gets comfortable and finds her range. The former UFC bantamweight champion finds the knockout in the third round of the five-round bout.

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How Ketlen Vieira Wins The Fight At UFC Vegas 55

The path to victory is very simple for the Brazilian. Ketlen Vieira has the superior ground game and has to use it in order to win. Holly Holm is the superior striker and a kickboxing match favors the former champion. Vieira will need to suffocate Holm against the fence and on the ground over the course of five rounds. The way to beat Holm on the feet is to force her to lead the dance and that's just not in the Brazilian's game. She could find the submission and surprise many people to upset the champion. Vieira wins by submission in the fourth round.

Final Holly Holm-Ketlen Vieira Prediction & Pick

This fight is quite clear in terms of style. Keep things on the feet and Holly Holm wins. Get things on the ground and Ketlen Vieira grinds out a victory. The fight is inevitably going to start on the feet and Holm's movement is going to make it tough for Vieira to get things on the ground. The veteran is going to get more comfortable the longer the fight goes and that's going to prove to be a problem for the Brazilian. Holm is going to pick away at her with an array of jabs and kicks. Vieira may have her moments where she'll get the fight on the ground but the five rounds favor the American. Holm gets the knockout in the third round after finding a big strike that lands on the button.

Final Holly Holm-Ketlen Vieira Pick: Holly Holm wins by knockout in the third round.