Ketlen Vieira vs. Sijara Eubanks Betting Preview for UFC 253

Ketlen Vieira is aiming to get back into the winning column this Saturday, September 26 when she faces off with Sijara Eubanks in a women’s bantamweight contest at UFC 253.

Vieira was touted as an opponent for 135-pound champ Amanda Nunes not so long ago, only for injuries to rule her out of contention. She returned from an 18-month layoff to face Irene Aldana in December but was knocked out in the first round of their UFC 245 encounter.

Eubanks steps in on late notice for Marion Reneau just weeks after beating Julia Avila. That unexpected win moved her record to 6-4 in MMA and puts her just one more victory away from recording her first-ever three-fight win streak.

Join me for the odds, best bets, and as a little preview of what to expect when Vieira takes on Eubanks at UFC 253.

Two belts on the line! ??

A historic return to Fight Island is almost here.

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— UFC (@ufc) September 24, 2020

Vieira has the type of attritional style that Eubanks has often struggled with in the past. Although not the flashiest fighter on the roster, what she does, she does well.

I expand on my thoughts for this fight a couple of sections down. However, I’m going to reveal the odds and best bets for Vieira vs. Eubank, so take a look at these first. 

Vieira comes in as the -200 favorite to win. Among other things, these odds reflect her record of 9-1 in MMA, her higher ranking in the women’s bantamweight division (7th to Eubanks’ 13th), as well as the consensus that she is a better fighter.

Eubanks (+160) is also stepping in for Marion Reneau on short notice. More than this, “Sarj” is fighting for the second time in as many weeks, having gone three rounds in her decision win over Julia Avila.

If you are betting on UFC 253, it’s worth noting that this is probably the likeliest fight to go to the scorecards on Saturday.

Although anything can happen, it seems unlikely that Vieira can stop Eubanks. Why? Well, no one has thus far knocked out or submitted the American. Vieira has four submissions and two knockouts on her record but has scored just one of those stoppages in the last five years. 

I like Vieira to Win at -175. I think her style is wrong for Eubanks, and think she can win by decision (+105).

If you are betting Sarj, you can decent odds of +240 for Eubanks to win by decision. If Vieira turns up rusty on account of her inactivity, who knows?  

But my prediction is Vieira to win by decision and I’m standing by that. Here’s why. 

The hype surrounding Ketlen Vieira took a little bit of a nosedive after she was knocked out by Irene Aldana in December.

Coming into this one with a record of 9-1, Vieira will back herself against Sijara Eubanks on the night. Standing at 5’8″ to Eubanks 5’3″, it is likely size will likely play a part in this fight. Not just on the feet, but in terms of strength in the clinch, too.

Both ladies have a black belt in BJJ. Vieira also has a black belt in judo, which gives her an advantage when it comes to takedowns. We saw just how effective she is at dragging the fight to the floor when she took down Olympic wrestler Sarah McMann in September 2017. 

Eubanks is a tough cookie but will find herself in trouble if Vieira forces a wrestling match. The size difference alone is going to make it difficult for her to escape the Brazilian if she can gain the leverage on top. Which, she will.

All in all, it looks like it will be a frustrating night for Eubanks at Fight Island. The upside is that she will earn kudos with the promotion for stepping in on late notice, and, of course, will get to experience the glamor of fighting on the UFC 253 card at Yas Island. 

Eubanks has much more to win here than to lose. But Vieira should be too good for her in the end.