Ketlen Vieira: Beating Cris Cyborg at PFL Tampa would be 'happiest day of my life'

Yes, PFL Tampa will serve as the retirement fight for legendary champion Cris Cyborg after two decades of dominance, but it also represents the most pivotal moment of Ketlen Vieira's nearly 12-year career. Cyborg (29-2) and Vieira (16-5) are set to square off in the PFL Tampa (ESPN, ESPN+) main event Saturday night at Benchmark International Arena in Florida. In what is to be her final MMA bout, Cyborg, a former UFC, Bellator, Strikeforce, and Invicta FC champion, will defend the PFL featherweight title hoping to earn her 30th career victory. The fight means a lot to Cyborg for obvious reasons, and it means just as much – if not more – for Vieira. "Simply put, this would be the happiest day of my life," Vieira told MMA Junkie Radio. "From the moment I got into the sport as a little girl, I've dreamt of being a world champion. And to become a world champion, doing so over someone that has held so many belts and has carried herself in such an amazing way in this sport, it would mean the world to me." Vieira will make her promotional debut after she was released by the UFC while ranked as a top-five bantamweight and coming off a unanimous decision win over Jacqueline Cavalcanti in May. Vieira admits she has a "tremendous amount of respect and admiration" for fellow Brazilian Cyborg, but those warm-and-fuzzy feelings will be tuned out. "That respect and admiration will stay on the outside of the cage once that door gets locked on August 22nd," Vieira said. While Vieira, 34, likes her chances physically against 41-year-old Cyborg, she believes her mental game is what will give her an edge – unlike previous Cyborg foes. "I feel like my biggest advantage over Cris is, simply put, I'm not afraid of her," Vieira said. "I feel like everyone else that goes in there to fight Cris, walks in there as if they're about to face a giant. I respect her a lot, but once that cage door closes she is just another opponent of mine. I've feared no opponents throughout my career, and this is no different. As an athlete, I don't fear anyone." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ketlen Vieira: Beating Cris Cyborg at PFL Tampa would be 'happiest day of my life'