Ketlen Vieira’s coach calls Cris Cyborg one of MMA’s greatest before PFL fight

Ketlen Vieira's head coach Andre Pederneiras has praised Cris Cyborg ahead of their August 22 clash in the Professional Fighters League, calling the 40-year-old former UFC titleholder "undoubtedly one of the greatest of all time" while acknowledging the magnitude of the challenge facing his fighter. The bout serves as Cyborg's retirement fight, yet Pederneiras is treating it with full respect and has prepared Vieira accordingly, bringing in skilled female training partners who can replicate Cyborg's style during camp. Vieira moved to the PFL after the UFC declined to renew her contract following a win over Jaqueline Cavalcanti. Pederneiras revealed that manager Ali Abdelaziz, a longtime associate of his, facilitated the PFL opportunity after learning the promotion needed an opponent for Cyborg's final bout. The matchup represents one of the stiffest tests of Vieira's career against a legendary competitor still capable of competing at the highest level.