Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
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.
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.
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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.
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Records: Grasso (14-3-0) | Araujo (11-3-0)
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 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.
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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…
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 |
 Grasso (78%) |
 Swanson (55%) |
 Todorovic (61%) |
 Henry (63%) |
 Menifield (75%) |
| Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 171-91  2018 Champion |
Grasso |
 Martinez |
Todorovic |
Henry |
Menifield |
| Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 167-95 |
Grasso |
Martinez |
Todorovic |
Henry |
 Cirkunov |
| Mike Bohn @MikeBohn 165-97 2014 Champion |
Grasso |
Swanson |
Todorovic |
 Assuncao |
Menifield |
| Matthew Wells @MrMWells 164-98 |
Grasso |
Martinez |
Todorovic |
Henry |
Menifield |
| Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 163-99 |
Grasso |
Swanson |
Todorovic |
Henry |
Menifield |
| Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 161-101 |
Grasso |
Swanson |
 Wright |
Assuncao |
Cirkunov |
| Simon Samano @SJSamano 161-101 |
Grasso |
Swanson |
Wright |
Assuncao |
Menifield |
| Nolan King @mma_kings 155-107 |
Grasso |
Swanson |
Todorovic |
Henry |
Menifield |
| Brian Garcia @thegoze 154-108 2017 Champion |
Grasso |
Swanson |
Todorovic |
Henry |
Menifield |
| George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 146-116 |
Grasso |
Swanson |
Wright |
Assuncao |
Menifield |
| Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 128-133 |
Grasso |
Swanson |
Todorovic |
Assuncao |
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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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A matchup between rising flyweight contenders Viviane Araujo and Alexa Grasso will take place in August.
A matchup between rising flyweight contenders will take place in August.
[autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag](11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) faces [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on Aug. 13 at a UFC Fight Night event that does not yet have a confirmed location or venue.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Fight Universe was first to report the booking.
Winner of three of her past four, Araujo is coming off a unanimous decision win over Andrea Lee at UFC on ESPN 36 in May. Prior to that, the Brazilian dropped a decision to former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian at UFC 262.
Mexico’s Grasso is currently enjoying her best octagon run. The 28-year-old has won three straight, most recently scoring her first-career submission over Joanne Wood at UFC on ESPN 33.
With the addition, the Aug. 13 lineup includes:
Andrea Lee’s head cornerman at UFC on ESPN 36 on Saturday, Tony Kelley, came under fire for comments he made about Brazil’s Viviane Araujo.
[autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag]’s head cornerman at UFC on ESPN 36 on Saturday, [autotag]Tony Kelley[/autotag], came under fire for comments he made during her women’s flyweight bout with [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag].
Following the first round of the matchup at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, in which Lee (13-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) started strong with a huge punch and blistering head kick, she went back to her corner and sat on the stool. Kelley, a UFC bantamweight who is scheduled to fight Adrian Yanez on June 18, made a controversial statement to his athlete.
“That’s what they’re going to do – they’re dirty f*cking Brazilians,” Kelley told Lee. “They’re going to f*cking cheat like that.”
Araujo (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) rallied back to secure a unanimous decision win, including a lopsided 10-8 round. She could not react after the win backstage because she transported to a local hospital and did not speak with the media after the fight.
Kelly’s comments were picked up on the international live feed and quickly spread across social media. The feedback, not surprisingly, was not positive. Check out how several notable fighters reacted.
Another key women’s flyweight matchup is headed to the UFC lineup on May 14.
A women’s flyweight fight between two top UFC contenders is in the works.
The promotion is finalizing a bout between [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and [autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) for the UFC Fight Night event May 14, which does not currently have a location or venue. Verbal agreements are in place with contracts expected in the coming days.
Two people with knowledge of the targeted booking recently informed MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Araujo, 35, was scheduled to fight Saturday vs. Alexa Grasso at UFC 270 but suffered an injury and withdrew from the fight. She most recently competed at UFC 262 in May when she lost a unanimous decision to perennial contender Katlyn Chookagian. Prior to that defeat, Araujo won back-to-back fights against Roxanne Modafferi and Montana De La Rosa – both via unanimous decision.
Lee, 32, rides back-to-back victories into her matchup against Araujo. Following three consecutive losses stemming from late 2019 through 2020, Lee submitted Antonina Shevchenko and stopped Cynthia Calvillo via corner stoppage.
With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for May 14 includes:
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01eqvpqbw4ymnv0rjh image=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
