Miesha Tate books UFC main event slot opposite Ketlen Vieira

Following her victory over Marion Reneau in her return to the Octagon, the UFC has booked Miesha Tate against top contender Ketlen Vieira.

Combate first reported that Tate will fight Vieira in the main event of a UFC Fight Night card set for October 16. According to the report, Tate vs. Vieira has been verbally agreed to and is set to be the five-round headliner of the card. The fight was made possible after Vieira recently lost her fight against Sara McMann, who was forced to withdraw with an injury from their UFC Vegas 35 encounter, which opened her up to fighting Tate instead.

Tate (19-7) is the No. 8 ranked women’s bantamweight contender. The 35-year-old American is the former UFC women’s bantamweight champion and she recently returned from a five-year hiatus to defeat Reneau via TKO in July in her comeback fight. It was one of the best performances that Tate has ever had in her career and she looks to be in fine form to pursue a title shot at 135lbs. One of the best women’s bantamweights in UFC history, Tate is looking to become a rare fighter to win back their belt in the Octagon.

Vieira (11-2) is the No. 7 ranked women’s bantamweight contender. The 29-year-old Brazilian is 5-2 overall in the UFC and has notable wins over the likes of Sijara Eubanks, Cat Zingano, and the aforementioned McMann. Vieira has not fought since February when she lost a decision to Yana Kunitskaya and she will be looking to get back into the W column when she takes on Tate in what appears to be a fight with major title implications.

Look for Tate to be the betting favorite in this fight given her dominant form against Reneau in her last fight, but Vieira is a talented fighter herself and should be able to hang.

Who do you think wins the Miesha Tate vs. Marion Reneau UFC main event fight?