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UFC Vegas 117: Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa continues on the prelims with a fight between Ketlen Vieira and Jacqueline Cavalcanti in the ladies’s bantamweight division on Saturday. Take a look at our UFC odds series for our Vieira-Cavalcanti prediction and pick.
Ketlen Vieira enters (15-5) UFC Vegas coming off a heartbreaking split-decision loss to Norma Dumont in November 2025, following an earlier win over Macy Chiasson. The highest-5 ranked contender still boasts elite grappling and world-class cage IQ, but she needs an announcement performance as she comes into her fight this weekend against Jacqueline Cavalcanti.
Jacqueline Cavalcanti (10-1) is on an absolute tear, riding a seven-fight winning streak into UFC Vegas 117. She dominated Mayra Bueno Silva via unanimous decision in November 2025, capping off a run that also included a unanimous decision win over Julia Avila in February 2025, showcasing her elite decision-making and ring generalship. Now ranked No. 11 within the bantamweight division and filled with momentum, looks to make a title statement as she comes into her fight this weekend against Vieira.
UFC Vegas 117 Odds, courtesy of DraftKings.
UFC Vegas 117 Odds: Ketlen Vieira-Jacqueline Cavalcanti Odds
Ketlen Vieira: +136
Jacqueline Cavalcanti: -162
Over 2.5 rounds: -500
Under 2.5 rounds: +340
Why Ketlen Vieira Will Win
Ketlen “Fenômeno” Vieira is one of the crucial experienced and technically refined bantamweights on the whole UFC roster, her top-5 rating reflecting years of high-level competition that Cavalcanti simply hasn’t faced yet. A step up in competition this significant rarely goes easily for an unproven contender, regardless of how hot their winning streak could also be.
Vieira’s grappling is amongst the perfect in the ladies’s bantamweight division, and if she will get this fight to the mat, Cavalcanti’s decision-making ability and composure will probably be tested at a level she has never experienced before. The Brazilian’s wrestling and clinch work give her multiple paths to controlling where this fight takes place.
Cavalcanti’s seven-fight winning streak has been built largely against mid-tier opposition, and the jump to facing a ranked top-5 veteran like Vieira is an enormous leap in school. Experience is usually the nice equalizer in MMA, and Vieira’s composure under pressure could prove to be the decisive factor when the stakes are highest.
Vieira also holds a big reach and size advantage contained in the cage, allowing her to manage distance effectively and limit Cavalcanti’s offensive output. A motivated “Fenômeno” hungry to return to title contention has every reason to deliver a dominant, statement-making performance this Saturday night.
Why Jacqueline Cavalcanti Will Win
Jacqueline Cavalcanti enters UFC Vegas 117 as certainly one of the most well liked fighters in the whole bantamweight division, riding a seven-fight winning streak that has been built with increasingly impressive performances. Her most up-to-date win over Mayra Bueno Silva — a seasoned UFC veteran — proved she is able to compete at the very best level.
Cavalcanti’s striking is sharp, precise, and tactically sound, and she or he has shown a capability to manage the pace and distance of her fights in a way that neutralizes larger, stronger opponents. If she will keep this fight standing and use her footwork to avoid Vieira’s clinch and takedown attempts, the trail to victory opens up considerably.
Vieira is coming off a split-decision loss to Norma Dumont, and questions linger about whether she still has the elite-level edge needed to compete at championship-caliber intensity. A fighter who has lost two of her last three bouts carries real vulnerabilities that a pointy, confident Cavalcanti will look to take advantage of from the opening bell.
Youth and momentum are powerful forces contained in the Octagon, and Cavalcanti brings each in abundance heading into Saturday. At just 27 years old with an unblemished UFC record, “The Nightmare” has the tools, the hunger, and the timing to drag off what could be the largest win of her young profession against Ketlen Vieira.
Final Ketlen Vieira-Jacqueline Cavalcanti Prediction & Pick
This bantamweight bout is probably the most compelling stylistic matchup on the UFC Vegas 117 card — a seasoned, grappling-heavy veteran against a young, undefeated striker riding a wave of momentum. The consequence hinges almost entirely on whether Cavalcanti can keep this fight standing or whether Vieira can drag her into deep, uncomfortable grappling exchanges.
Expect Vieira to be methodical early, using her size, reach, and clinch work to slow Cavalcanti’s rhythm and take away her striking lanes. Cavalcanti will counter with sharp mixtures and lateral movement, attempting to make Vieira chase and tire herself out over three rounds.
The experience factor becomes critical within the championship rounds, where Vieira’s composure and fight IQ have historically shined brightest. Cavalcanti’s recent wins are impressive, but nothing on her resume has prepared her for the physicality and pressure Vieira brings. Ultimately, Vieira grinds out a hard-fought unanimous decision, using her grappling control and veteran savvy to edge the scorecards.
Final Ketlen Vieira-Jacqueline Cavalcanti Prediction & Pick: Ketlen Vieira (+136), Over 2.5 Rounds (-500)
UFC Vegas 117: Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa continues on the prelims with a fight between Ketlen Vieira and Jacqueline Cavalcanti in the ladies’s bantamweight division on Saturday. Take a look at our UFC odds series for our Vieira-Cavalcanti prediction and pick.