Debuts don’t come much better than that of one woman who is next set to compete on the high-profile UFC 317 card.
After a debut event in Azerbaijan, the UFC will close out its June schedule in a major way with the 2025 edition of International Fight Week.
Festivities will conclude at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, where Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira headline UFC 317 in competition for the vacant lightweight title.
From Alexandre Pantoja’s next title defense to returns for the likes of Paulo Costa and Beneil Dariush, a number of other prominent names will be in action on June 28.
And that includes one woman who was tipped for big things after a brutal debut victory six years ago.
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Viviane Araujo starched Talita Bernardo in short-notice UFC 237 debut
Entering 2019, Viviane Araujo was the strawweight queen in Pancrase and held a 6-1 record. Though she was no doubt hoping for an opportunity to make a splash in the UFC, the Brazilian’s chance came more suddenly than she might have liked.
Araujo was drafted in to replace Melissa Gatto against Talita Bernardo on just four days’ notice at UFC 237 in Rio de Janeiro. And in addition to the late notice, the fight was at bantamweight – 20 pounds above where Araujo had been competing.
But the newcomer didn’t let that adversity stop her from announcing her arrival in emphatic fashion.
After a dominant first two rounds for Araujo, the debutant closed the show less than a minute into the third frame with a display of power that isn’t seen often in women’s MMA.
Araujo landed a one-punch, walk-off knockout, violently folding Bernardo to establish herself as a name to watch in the UFC.
Viviane Araujo has had 11 straight decisions since brutal debut KO
After her victory at UFC 237, fans, fighters, and analysts were predicting big and violent things for Araujo inside the Octagon. It’s no doubt surprising, then, that the Brazilian has had nothing but decisions since.
Araujo didn’t end up returning to strawweight, instead opting to compete at flyweight in the UFC. A largely inconsistent run of six wins and five defeats has prevented the 38-year-old from rising toward the title.
And the Brazilian veteran has struggled to make the kind of impact that she made on debut, seeing the scorecards in all of her victories and losses.
| Result | Opponent | Method |
| Win | Karine Silva | Decision |
| Loss | Natalia Silva | Decision |
| Win | Jennifer Maia | Decision |
| Loss | Amanda Ribas | Decision |
| Loss | Alexa Grasso | Decision |
| Win | Andrea Lee | Decision |
| Loss | Katlyn Cerminara | Decision |
| Win | Roxanne Modafferi | Decision |
| Win | Montana De La Rosa | Decision |
| Loss | Jessica Eye | Decision |
| Win | Alexis Davis | Decision |
Ranked No. 8 in the division, Araujo still sits within a few victories of championship contention. After an impressive victory over Karine Silva last time out, Araujo has the chance for her first winning streak in four years.
To achieve that at UFC 317, the Brazilian must defeat the No. 10-ranked Tracy Cortez, who is returning for the first time since a main event loss to Rose Namajunas last year.