Eager to end a period of frustrating inactivity, Norma Dumont aims to make an undeniable case for a bantamweight title shot when she faces Ketlen Vieira at UFC Vegas 110 on November 1.
The bout marks Dumont’s return to the octagon following her fifth consecutive victory, a dominant decision over Irene Aldana in September 2024. Despite her winning streak, which also includes a 2024 win over former champion Germaine de Randamie, Dumont has faced significant challenges in securing fights. She revealed that potential matchups in April and July failed to materialize after the UFC was unable to find her an opponent, and a planned September return was scrapped when Raquel Pennington withdrew due to injury.
Dumont attributes the difficulty to her well-rounded skillset, suggesting that other fighters view her as a high-risk opponent. “It’s normal that fighters try to steer away toward an easier matchup,” she stated, noting that even the UFC matchmakers have expressed frustration over her booking challenges.
Vieira, who accepted the fight after a May victory over Macy Chiasson, presents a challenge Dumont feels she is well-equipped to handle. “It’s a style that favors me a lot,” Dumont said. While acknowledging Vieira’s toughness, particularly her powerful right hand and clinch game, Dumont believes she holds a significant advantage. “Movement, speed, physical strength, explosiveness… I think I have a lot of tools to win both standing and on the ground. I believe there are plenty of paths to victory for me.”
With a victory, Dumont’s focus will turn directly to the bantamweight championship. Kayla Harrison is anticipated to defend the belt against Amanda Nunes in 2026, and Dumont is determined to be the next challenger for the winner. “Beating Ketlen, there’s nowhere else to go,” she asserted, dismissing other top contenders. “Julianna [Peña] got demolished by Kayla, and Raquel [Pennington] lost to Julianna. There’s no one left.”
While Dumont believes a win of any kind should secure her a title opportunity, she is aiming for a definitive finish to leave no doubt in the minds of the UFC brass. “If I get a big knockout or a beautiful submission, I’ll definitely be on the cleanest radar possible,” she said. “I don’t want a regular win, I want something extraordinary.”
Should an immediate title shot not materialize, Dumont has no intention of waiting on the sidelines. At 35, she is adamant about staying active and would accept another top-ranked opponent to maintain momentum. “I’m not sitting out another year,” she stated firmly. “If I have to fight again, I’ll be ready. I’ll fight everyone. That’s how I’ll become champion.”
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