This was a terrific fight by both ladies. UFC 222 had Alpha Cat Zingano vs Ketlen Viera. Alpha Cat Zingano came out throwing leather, hands down, high kicks, leaping in with straights and jabs while Ketlen Viera was standing in the pocket countering everything that Zingano threw at her.
Cat Zingano never really rocked Viera, but Cat did land some very very nice strikes in the first round, as she was really trying to get the clinch and land some quality knees on Ketlen Viera. Right towards the end of the first round Viera had a very nice outside trip taking Cat down with a little bit of top work. In the second round, Cat came back out throwing hot, but Ketlen Viera struck with a very nice over hook hip toss, which was an outstanding throw. That would have been a 6 pointer, and she kept control the entire second round. She was really good at keeping control but Viera was not able to do much from the top position, as Cat kept her from mounting. Cat was also throwing outstanding elbows from the bottom, but it was just not enough to do any damage to Viera. In the third round Cat Zingano came out with guns blazing and caught Ketlen Viera with a beautiful high kick across the chin and Viera just ate it, no problem, standing and taking everything that Cat could throw at her. In the end Cat just could not do enough and the result was a split decision win for Ketlen Viera.
A top game and the pressure was just really too much for Cat Zingano, but she showed a lot of heart in her first fight back in two years. It was an outstanding performance from Alpha Cat Zingano, but an even more outstanding effort from Ketlen Viera.
A great fight and we’re excited to see what’s next for Ketlen Viera calling for a title fight.
Article courtesy of Hollywood Joe Tussing
