Viviane Araujo walks to the octagon Saturday for the first time as a mother, and that has changed her perspective and hunger as a professional fighter.
Araujo’s wife Catarina Lo Turco gave birth to their daughter Lua in January, two months after “Vivi” won a decision over Karine Silva at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. Araujo now returns to action at UFC 317 for a flyweight showdown with Tracy Cortez on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, seeking more success.
The Brazilian fighter found it hard to juggle training and parenting in the beginning, but Lua “is very calm and sleeps well,” allowing Araujo to enter another training camp for a pay-per-view bout.
“I’ll tell you this, it’s extra motivation,” Araujo told MMA Fighting. “Having Lua as a daughter, being her mother, motherhood kind of changes a lot of things. You become more mature, you have more responsibilities, and I think that motivation comes to have you grow more in the organization, to make more money, and go chase the belt and make her proud in the future. That’s definitely more motivation.”
Araujo has won two of her past three octagon appearances to boost her overall UFC record to 7-5. She sees in Cortez a great opportunity to make a name for herself in the flyweight division. Cortez won 11 in a row in the sport, going 5-0 in the UFC, including a 2023 decision over Jasmine Jasudavicius, before losing to former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas in her most recent bout.
“She’s an athlete with a big name, especially in the United States, so it’s going to draw more eyeballs [after the win],” Araujo said. “I’m very focused on bringing this victory. I know she’s a tough athlete and was on a great run before stumbling against Namajunas. We’ve studied her game and we know she’s an aggressive fighter who comes forward all the time. She will try to trade with me, I don’t know she she’ll only try to take me down, but I’m ready. My coaches prepared a strategy so we come out victorious.”
Cortez has only been finished once in MMA, tapping to Cheri Muraski in her pro debut back in 2017 under the Invicta FC banner, and she has scored two finishes in 11 MMA wins. As an undefeated amateur, Cortez stopped four opponents in six victories.
“We’re seeing some holes in her game,” Araujo said. “I can’t disclose my game here but we’re going well in training. I’m in my best shape ever and I can’t wait to show that on the 28th. … It’s a great card, a pay-per-view, and that won’t affect me mentally because I’ve been in big events before. I won’t fell that pressure. And I’m going after the top 5, to grow in the division. This win will put me closer to my goal.
“We know she will try to dominate in the grappling area, something she’s done in her last fights, but she doesn’t have such a vast arsenal of submissions. She has good striking, but not much of a punching power either. The goal is to use my weapons, my speed, my explosiveness and aggressiveness, because I want to go there to knock her out or submit her. I’m doing great in both areas and I’m ready, and I’ll go for that. I won’t let it go to the judges.”
Araujo has faced fellow Brazilians in her past four UFC fights, going 2-2 with wins over Karine Silva and Jennifer Maia, and losses to Natalia Silva and Amanda Ribas. Finally paired up against a non-Brazilian for the first time since late 2022, she feels more eager for violence.
“It gives you something extra, right? To really hurt her, to really knock her out, to put on a great fight,” Araujo said. “It’s more special against a gringa. We want that more.”
Araujo is ranked No. 13 at 125 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings and hopes that a win at the International Fight Week extravaganza sets up a big fight next.
“We’ve thought a lot and a strong name we think for our next step is Rose,” Araujo said. “Rose beat Tracy, so I think it makes sense for me and for Rose. After this, I’ll ask for a top 5. That’s what makes the most sense. I’ll call her out after the fight.”
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