I even apologize for saying it

Ketlen Vieira recently opened up about being removed from the UFC roster and questioned the promotion’s decision.

Vieira was among the biggest names in the UFC women’s bantamweight division over the past few years and has recorded wins over high-profile opponents like Cat Zingano, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm, and Macy Chiasson. Despite her resume, the promotion didn’t give her a contract extension after her last fight against Jacqueline Cavalcanti at UFC Vegas 117 in May.

After leaving the UFC, Vieira signed with the PFL and is set to face Cris Cyborg in a women’s featherweight title fight this weekend in Tampa.

Ahead of her upcoming test, Vieira opened up about the UFC letting her go during an interview with MMA Fighting and claimed that she was better than the current fighters in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. She said:

“I was already expecting it because usually we renew a contract before the final fight. When ‘Dedé’ [Andre Pederneiras] told me they wanted me to have my last fight, I already found it a little strange and was kind of expecting it.”

She added:

“What I’m about to say isn’t me being arrogant or anything, and I even apologize for saying it, but I’m much better than many of the fighters who are there at bantamweight. It’s kind of unbelievable that they wouldn’t renew my contract when there are many other fighters there who aren’t on my level, you know?”

Ketlen Vieira expresses gratitude toward the UFC despite getting cut from the roster

In the same interview, Ketlen Vieira expressed her gratitude for the UFC and pointed out that the promotion helped her rise in the sport.

Speaking to MMA Fighting, the 34-year-old Brazilian fighter also claimed that the PFL reached out to her the same day she was released from the UFC’s roster and said:

I left the UFC as a winner. I left as a top-5 fighter, as a future title challenger, especially because all the other girls were coming off losses. It doesn’t really make sense because I was the only one coming off a win to be fighting for the title.”

She added:

“Anyway, I’m very grateful to the UFC for everything it provided in my life. They gave me a name. In the morning, I received the [release] news, and by nighttime, another major event was already interested in me, so I can’t be ungrateful to the UFC or to everyone there who gave me the opportunity to change my life, and they did change my life.” [H/t: MMA Fighting]