Tag: Viviane Araujo

UFC 285 pre-event facts: Valentina Shevchenko’s remarkable resume speaks volumes about greatness

Go inside the numbers of UFC 285, the deepest card of the year, where history is at stake – both good and bad – for multiple fighters.

The crown jewel of the UFC’s first-quarter schedule for 2023 takes place Saturday with UFC 285. The loaded fight card goes down at T-Mobile Arena with a main card scheduled to air on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPNews and early prelims on ESPN+.

Two championship fights top the card, and they feature arguably the greatest male and female athletes the sport has ever seen. In the headlining act, Former light heavyweight champion [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] (26-1 MMA, 20-1 UFC) will finally return from a more than three-year layoff and make the move to heavyweight for a vacant title showdown with [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC).

The co-headliner, meanwhile, will see decorated women’s flyweight champion [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] (23-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) attempt to make her eighth consecutive defense of her belt when she welcomes Mexican challenger [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the two title fights, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about UFC 285.

Viviane Araujo vs. Amanda Ribas targeted for UFC 285 on March 4

A women’s flyweight bout between Viviane Araujo and Amanda Ribas is headed to UFC 285.

A women’s flyweight bout between [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] and [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] is headed to UFC 285.

Araujo will take on Ribas on March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the targeted matchup to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Dama de Ferro MMA first reported the booking.

Araujo (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) has split her past four appearances. After a solid win over Andrea Lee in May, Araujo dropped a unanimous decision to Alex Grasso at UFC Fight Night 212 in October in her first promotional headliner.

Ribas (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) also will look to rebound, but she will remain at 125 pounds. The 29-year-old moved back up to flyweight in her most recent outing in May, but was edged out by former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian in a Fight of the Night effort.

With the addition, the UFC 285 lineup includes:

  • Bo Nickal vs. Jamie Pickett
  • Jessica Penne vs. Tabatha Ricci
  • Farid Basharat vs. Da’Mon Blackshear
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Amanda Ribas

[vertical-gallery id=609602]

[vertical-gallery id=1507811]

UFC Fight Night 212 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Main event nets $12k total

UFC Fight Night 212 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 212 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $151,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC Fight Night 212 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC Fight Night 212 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Dusko Todorovic[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Raphael Assuncao[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Victor Henry[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Alonzo Menifield[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Misha Cirkunov[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Mana Martinez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brandon Davis[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Jacob Malkoun[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Nick Maximov[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Joanderson Brito[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Lucas Alexander[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Piera Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Sam Hughes[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Tatsuro Taira[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]CJ Vergara[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Pete Rodriguez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Mike Jackson[/autotag]: $4,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2127 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2121 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2022 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,642,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $12,810,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.

Twitter reacts to Alexa Grasso’s lopsided decision over Viviane Araujo at UFC Fight Night 212

See the top Twitter reactions to Alexa Grasso’s win over Viviane Araujo in the UFC Fight Night 212 main event.

[autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] emerged victorious from her first UFC headliner on Saturday when she defeated [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] at UFC Fight Night 212.

Grasso (15-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) remained undefeated in four fights since moving up to women’s flyweight with a unanimous decision victory over Araujo (11-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in their main event showdown at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Grasso’s victory over Araujo at UFC Fight Night 212.

UFC Fight Night 212: Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 212 odds and lines between Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo, with MMA picks, tips and predictions.

In a women’s flyweight bout in the main event, Alexa Grasso and Viviane Araujo meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 212 at UFC’s APEX Facility in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the UFC Fight Night 212: Grasso vs. Araujo odds, with expert picks and predictions.

Grasso heads into this one with 3 consecutive victories, including a submission win over Joanne Wood in Round 1 last time out in late March. It was a rare finish, as Grasso had gone the distance in 4 straight before the Wood bout, and 7 times in her first 9 bouts since arriving at the UFC level.

Araujo is coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Andrea Lee in mid-May, her 6th consecutive fights going the distance. She is 5-1 during that streak, with her only finish coming in a KO/TKO win over Talita Bernardo in May 2019 in her company debut at UFC 237.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC Fight Night 212 Grasso vs. Araujo odds

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Grasso -230 (bet $230 to win $100) | Araujo +175 (bet $100 to win $175)
  • Over/Under: 4.5 rounds (Over -230 | Under +160)

Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!

UFC Fight Night 212 Grasso vs. Araujo picks and predictions

Records: Grasso (14-3-0) | Araujo (11-3-0)

Fight result (2-way line or money line)

Grasso (-230) will cost more than 2 times your potential return, and that’s a little too expensive on the 2-way line in a bout between 2 fighters used to going the distance. Anything can happen when the decision is in the judges’ hands, so don’t risk it.

Instead, GRASSO BY POINTS (+120) is a much better value if you like her to win. Neither fighter has been getting finishes, and plus-money is nice.

Over/Under (O/U)

Over 4.5 Rounds (-230) is a little too expensive, as is Yes (-190): Fight to go the distance. Yes, both fighters tend to leave things in the hands of the judges to decide a winner, but there is just no value in either of these props.

PASS, and just stick with the method of victory play.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and us on Facebook.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2559]

UFC Fight Night 212: Quick picks and prognostications

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the main card for UFC Fight Night 211.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the UFC’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main card for UFC Fight Night 212.

UFC Fight Night 212 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

Last event’s results: 3-2
Overall picks for UFC main cards in 2022: 100-59-1

Welcome to MMA Junkie’s Quick Picks and Prognostications, where I’ll be giving brief, fight-day breakdowns for UFC main cards.

With that in mind, I hope these write-ups don’t come off as curt or dismissive, as my goal here is to offer quick picks and analysis in a digestible format. All odds listed are provided by Tipico Sportsbook.

If you’d like more detailed analysis from me, then feel free to check out my weekly show, The Protect Ya’ Neck Podcast.

So, without further ado…

UFC Fight Night 212 predictions: Is anyone taking Viviane Araujo over Alexa Grasso?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC Fight Night 212 main card in Las Vegas, which features Alexa Grasso vs. Viviane Araujo.

Grasso
vs.
Araujo		 Martinez
vs.
Swanson		 Todorovic
vs.
Wright		 Assuncao
vs.
Wright		 Cirkunov
vs.
Menifield
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
161-96		 grasso2022
Grasso
(78%)		 swanson2022
Swanson
(55%)		 todorovic2022
Todorovic
(61%)		 henry2022
Henry
(63%)		 menifield2022
Menifield
(75%)
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
171-91
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 grasso2022
Grasso		 martinez2022
Martinez		 todorovic2022
Todorovic		 henry2022
Henry		 menifield2022
Menifield
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
167-95		 grasso2022
Grasso		 martinez2022
Martinez		 todorovic2022
Todorovic		 henry2022
Henry		 cirkunov2022
Cirkunov
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
165-97
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 grasso2022
Grasso		 swanson2022
Swanson		 todorovic2022
Todorovic		 assuncao2022
Assuncao		 menifield2022
Menifield
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
164-98		 grasso2022
Grasso		 martinez2022
Martinez		 todorovic2022
Todorovic		 henry2022
Henry		 menifield2022
Menifield
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
163-99		 grasso2022
Grasso		 swanson2022
Swanson		 todorovic2022
Todorovic		 henry2022
Henry		 menifield2022
Menifield
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
161-101		 grasso2022
Grasso		 swanson2022
Swanson		 wright2022
Wright		 assuncao2022
Assuncao		 cirkunov2022
Cirkunov
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
161-101		 grasso2022
Grasso		 swanson2022
Swanson		 wright2022
Wright		 assuncao2022
Assuncao		 menifield2022
Menifield
Nolan King
@mma_kings
155-107		 grasso2022
Grasso		 swanson2022
Swanson		 todorovic2022
Todorovic		 henry2022
Henry		 menifield2022
Menifield
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
154-108
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 grasso2022
Grasso		 swanson2022
Swanson		 todorovic2022
Todorovic		 henry2022
Henry		 menifield2022
Menifield
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
146-116		 grasso2022
Grasso		 swanson2022
Swanson		 wright2022
Wright		 assuncao2022
Assuncao		 menifield2022
Menifield
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
128-133		 grasso2022
Grasso		 swanson2022
Swanson		 todorovic2022
Todorovic		 assuncao2022
Assuncao		 menifield2022
Menifield

The stays on its home turf after an off week, and a pair of women’s flyweight contenders are atop the bill.

UFC Fight Night 212 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at 125 pounds. Grasso is a -240 favorite at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Araujo is +180. Our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have Grasso as our lone unanimous picks on the main card at 11-0.

The co-main event features [autotag]Jonathan Martinez[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) against [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag] (28-12 MMA, 13-8 UFC) at bantamweight in Swanson’s move to the division after spending the bulk of his career, including the past nearly 15 years, at featherweight. Martinez is more than a 2-1 favorite, but most of our pickers are bucking the odds and have Swanson with a big 8-3 lead.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Dusko Todorovic[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Jordan Wright[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at middleweight. Todorovic is more than a 2-1 favorite and has an 8-3 picks lead.

[autotag]Raphael Assuncao[/autotag] (27-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) is the event’s second biggest underdog in his bantamweight fight against [autotag]Victor Henry[/autotag] (22-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who is a -420 favorite. But Henry has just a 6-5 lead from our staff members.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Misha Cirkunov[/autotag] (15-8 MMA, 6-6 UFC) meets [autotag]Alonzo Menifield[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) at light heavyweight. Menifield is a -220 favorite and has a blowout in the picks at 9-2.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Grasso (78 percent), Swanson (55 percent), Todorovic (61 percent), Henry (63 percent) and Menifield (75 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.

[vertical-gallery id=316065]

Viviane Araujo realistic about title chances ahead of UFC Fight Night 212: ‘I see other opponents in a better spot’

Viviane Araujo won’t allow herself to be delusional about her career ahead of the UFC Fight Night 212 main event.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] is realistic about her place in the women’s flyweight title picture ahead of her first octagon headliner at UFC Fight Night 212.

Araujo (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) meets Alexa Grasso (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in a five-round bout at the UFC Apex, which streams on ESPN+. It’s a key bout for the division, and one that will put the winner in the conversation for a future showdown with longtime champion [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag].

Brazil’s Araujo said it won’t place her at the front of the queue, though. She knows there are other names with stronger resumes gunning for a title shot, so she goes into UFC Fight Night 212 with the belief another win will be needed to secure the opportunity.

“I’m pretty sure that whoever wins this fight is going to be in a really good position and really good spot to be in the top of the division,” Araujo told MMA Junkie and other reporters through an interpreter at UFC Fight Night 212 media day. “But to be honest, I see other opponents in a better spot, better situation than me. Like Taila Santos, Lauren Murphy, Jessica Andrade and Katlyn Chookagian. Maybe a rematch with her. So yeah, I don’t think my next fight will be a title shot.”

Araujo, 35, and Grasso, 29, were originally scheduled to fight in August. However, Araujo was forced to withdraw due to injury. She doesn’t love the fact she hasn’t fought since May, but Araujo admits the additional time between fights was beneficial for this moment.

“I am my best version right now,” Araujo said. “I’m happy, motivated and I’m sure I’m going to be able to perform. I want to perform very well and my victory is going to be exceptional.”

[lawrence-related id=2587528,2587458]

With all that time came more opportunity for Araujo to scout and prepare for Grasso’s game. The Mexican has a slick boxing-oriented offense, and is unbeaten in three fights since moving up from the strawweight division.

Araujo will openly admit it’s her intention to neutralize Grasso’s striking by taking the fight to the mat, and it’s there she thinks openings will arise to secure a stoppage win.

“We did study her a lot,” Araujo said. “I know her boxing is very good and she moves pretty well. But I’m ready. I’ve been training a lot of boxing and wrestling as well. My wrestling is sharp and I’m ready to take her down and keep her on the ground.

“I’m ready to fight five rounds for sure. I’m going to have to be patient. I know how dangerous she is, but I want to finish this fight in the second round.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 212.

[vertical-gallery id=609602]

UFC Fight Night 212 free fight: Viviane Araujo gets knocked down, but rallies back to beat Andrea Lee

Watch Viviane Araujo get knocked down, but rally back to beat Andrea Lee at UFC on ESPN 36 in May.

[autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] sure got tested in her most recent outing.

The UFC women’s flyweight contender almost was stopped in her fight against Andrea Lee, but rallied back to get her hand raised in the end. Araujo (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) defeated Lee with a unanimous decision after getting dropped by a right hand, then a head kick, in the first 30 seconds of their contest.

It was an incredible comeback by the Brazilian, who proved to be resilient. You can rewatch Araujo’s win over Lee in the video above.

[lawrence-related id=2587458,1987969]

Araujo returns to the cage Saturday in the UFC Fight Night 212 main event against Mexico’s Alexa Grasso in Las Vegas.

Grasso (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) currently is enjoying her best octagon run. The 28-year-old has won three straight and most recently scored her first career submission over Joanne Wood at UFC on ESPN 33.

[listicle id=2587523]

[vertical-gallery id=609602]

[pickup_prop id=”28114″]

Alexa Grasso out of UFC on ESPN 41; co-main event vs. Viviane Araujo off

Ten days out from UFC on ESPN 41, the San Diego card has lost its co-main event between Alexa Grasso and Viviane Araujo.

UFC on ESPN 41 has taken another hit.

With [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) out due to visa issues, her co-main event vs. [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) is off. The event is scheduled for Aug. 13 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

Two people with knowledge of the change informed MMA Junkie Wednesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

While one person informed MMA Junkie the promotion sought a replacement as recently as Tuesday, ESPN Deportes, which originally broke the news, said Araujo will not remain on the card. The bout was been removed from the official UFC website as well as UFC Stats.

The cancellation marks the third time in four bookings for Grasso – and the second time for a bout against Araujo. The two flyweights were originally scheduled to fight at UFC 270 in January, but Araujo withdrew due to injury.

With the change, the UFC on ESPN 41 lineup includes:

  • Dominick Cruz vs. Marlon Vera
  • Sara McMann vs. opponent TBA
  • Devin Clark vs. Azamat Murzakanov
  • Gerald Meerschaert vs. Bruno Silva
  • Lukasz Brzeski vs. Martin Buday
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Iasmin Lucindo
  • Gabriel Benitez vs. Charlie Ontiveros
  • Nate Landwehr vs. David Onama
  • Tyson Nam vs. Ode Osbourne
  • Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Youssef Zalal

[vertical-gallery id=514469]