Miesha Tate vs. Ketlen Vieira targeted as main event for UFC card on Oct. 16

A showdown between former bantamweight champion Miesha Tate and Ketlen Vieira is currently being targeted as the main event for the upcoming UFC Fight Night card on Oct. 16.

Multiple sources confirmed the matchup to MMA Fighting on Saturday with verbal agreements in place from the fighters, although no contracts have been issued or signed at this time. Combate initially reported the fight news.

After ending her nearly five-year retirement, Tate came storming back with a dominant performance to finish Marion Reneau back in July. The lopsided victory earned Tate a Performance of the Night award as she got her first win since claiming the UFC bantamweight title back in 2016.

Since that time, Tate has been adamant about eventually working her way back into title contention, although not rushing the process as she makes a steady climb up the rankings.

Meanwhile, Vieira will get the opportunity to compete in her first UFC main event while taking on a former champion in Tate as she looks to right her ship after going 1-2 in her past three outings.

The Brazilian grappler started her career with a perfect 10-0 resume but then suffered a shocking knockout loss to Irene Aldana and then most recently dropped a decision to Yana Kunitskaya back in February. Now Vieira will seek to turn the tables against Tate as the bantamweights are expected to battle in a five-round headliner in October.

There’s no word yet on a location for the Oct. 16 card, although the UFC has committed to all of the non-PPV events happening at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas or potentially overseas in Abu Dhabi for the remainder of 2021.