UFC 317: Viviane Araujo vs Tracy Cortez

From the moment they stepped into the octagon, it was clear this bout would be a clash of styles. Araujo, newly returned to action as a motivated mother, looked to keep the fight standing, unloading crisp low kicks and combinations early on. Tracy Cortez, on the other hand, wasted no time hunting for a takedown—landing one in the first minute—but Araujo kept the fight upright whenever possible.

A pivotal moment came when Araujo managed to secure back control against the fence, sinking in hooks and launching punishment with her free hand. But Cortez weathered the storm, reversed position, and surged back into control as Round 1 closed . She even threatened a guillotine and unleashed sharp elbows before the bell rang.

Round 2 shifted gears. Araujo pressed with striking, forcing Cortez to backpedal—but the Arizona native didn’t panic. She responded with a heavy right hand and doubled up on her jab, showing consistent striking accuracy. The matchup remained intense through Round 3, though the defining factor became Cortez’s dominance in grappling.

By the final frame Cortez had repeatedly brought Araujo down, controlled her with ground-and-pound, and neutralized any comeback attempt. She stayed composed, picked her shots, and prevented Viviane Araujo from launching any real offensive threat.

When three judges returned the scorecards, the verdict was unanimous: 30‑27 for Cortez, who showcased a commanding performance in her comeback—balancing wrestling, grappling, and striking with poise.

Marching back after nearly a year: Cortez snapped her layoff with a confident decision win over a tough Brazilian contender .
Tactical masterclass: She blended takedown attempts with impactful jabs and courtroom-like control, showcasing her evolution since the Namajunas bout.
Araujo’s grit: The Brazilian mother fought passionately, especially in standing exchanges and that early scramble, but simply couldn’t match Cortez’s grappling edge.

Tracy Cortez returned with purpose and precision, dictating the pace from start to finish. Her seamless mixture of wrestling, ground control, and striking set her apart. Viviane Araujo showed heart—but on this night, Cortez proved she’s firmly back among the top 10 in the flyweight division.