Viviane Araújo (fighter)

Viviane Araújo (born November 21, 1986) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist. She is a former Pancrase strawweight champion and currently competes in the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of March 26, 2024, she is #10 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings.

Background
Araújo started playing soccer and spent much of her time away from home to forget about problems at home after witnessing her alcoholic father beating her mother on a daily basis. She later started Brazilian jiu-jitsu and fell in love with the sport after an invitation from her jiu-jitsu coach. She later became a jiu-jitsu teacher and transitioned to mixed martial arts as she was tired of watching her father abuse her mother. Araújo uses the octagon as the platform to voice her support to reach victims of domestic violence.

“The UFC is such a gigantic and powerful platform. A word from a woman can change your life and self-esteem. We have so many people going through things like that that I felt the need to talk about it. We’re suffering with domestic violence and violence against women. I lived that reality since I was a kid. I’ve suffered with that, and I managed to turn the table with sports. My mom is a warrior."

Early career
Araújo fought most of her early mixed martial arts career primarily in Brazil and Japan, notably under Jungle Fight and Pancrase where she was the Strawweight Queen of Pancrase prior being signed by the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Araújo made her UFC debut and faced Talita Bernardo, replacing Melissa Gatto, on May 11, 2019 at UFC 237. She won the fight via knockout in the third round.

Her second fight came on July 27, 2019 at UFC 240, against Alexis Davis. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Araújo faced Jessica Eye on December 14, 2019 at UFC 245 At the weigh-ins, Eye weighed 131 lbs., five lbs. over the Flyweight limit of 126 lbs. She forfeited 30% of her fight purse to Araújo. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Araújo was scheduled to meet Jennifer Maia on June 27, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 11. However, the bout was rescheduled in mid-June to take place on August 1, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana after both participants faced travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Subsequently, Araújo was removed from the card in mid-July after testing positive for COVID-19 and replaced by Joanne Calderwood.

Araújo faced Montana De La Rosa on September 5, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 176. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Araújo was briefly scheduled to face Roxanne Modafferi on January 30, 2021 at UFC on ESPN 20. However, the fight was rescheduled and took place 10 days earlier at UFC Fight Night 185 instead. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Araújo faced Katlyn Chookagian on May 15, 2021 at UFC 262. She lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Araújo was expected to face Alexa Grasso on January 22, 2022 at UFC 270. However, Araújo was forced to pull out form the event due to injury, and the bout was cancelled.

Araújo faced Andrea Lee on May 14, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 36. Despite surviving an early knockdown, Araújo won the bout via unanimous decision.

Araújo was rescheduled to face Alexa Grasso on August 13, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 41. However, the bout was cancelled due to Grasso's visa issues. The pair was yet again rescheduled on October 15, 2022 at UFC Fight Night 212. Araújo lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Araújo faced Amanda Ribas on March 4, 2023 at UFC 285. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Araújo was scheduled to face Casey O'Neill on September 9, 2023 at UFC 293. However, O'Neill pulled out due to injury, and Araújo was rebooked against Jennifer Maia for October 14, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 230. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Araújo faced Natália Silva on February 3, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 235 She lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Araújo was scheduled to face Jasmine Jasdavicious on July 13, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 59. However, she withdrew from the bout due to an injury and was replaced by Fatima Kline.

Mixed martial arts

 * Pancrase
 * Strawweight Queen of Pancrase (One time) vs. Emi Fujino