Viviane Aruajo vs Tracy Cortez

Viviane Araújo meets Tracy Cortez in a flyweight showdown. Araújo, the seasoned veteran with victories over elite contenders, looks to reassert herself in the title picture, while Cortez—fresh off a unanimous decision loss to Rose Namajunas—seeks redemption and momentum in her first outing of 2025.

Core Stats Comparison

Striking Breakdown:

Both fighters are evenly matched in terms of striking accuracy, landing at 47%, but the difference lies in how well they manage damage. Tracy Cortez absorbs just 3.02 significant strikes per minute, showcasing strong defensive instincts, while Viviane Araujo takes on significantly more at 4.87.

Araujo slightly outpaces Cortez in output, landing 4.04 strikes per minute compared to Cortez’s 3.72. However, that extra volume comes at a cost—Araujo has a negative striking differential, while Cortez maintains a positive one, which speaks to her efficiency and control in exchanges.

Grappling Breakdown:

This is where things get intriguing. Cortez has a slight edge in takedown accuracy, landing at 45% compared to Araujo’s 43%, and she also averages more takedowns—2.09 per 15 minutes versus 1.86. But Araujo’s elite 80% takedown defense stands out, far surpassing Cortez’s 62%, and could neutralize that offensive edge.

On the mat, Araujo is also more aggressive with submission attempts, averaging 0.7 per fight to Cortez’s 0.3.

Summary:

This fight is razor-close on the stat sheet. Araujo brings more experience and a 3-inch reach advantage (68" vs. 65"), while Cortez is younger, absorbs less damage, and edges her in overall grappling output. If Araujo can use her range and takedown defense to keep the fight standing, she could win on volume. But if Cortez mixes in her wrestling and stays defensively sharp, she has a clear path to winning rounds through control and efficiency.