Las Vegas, NV — Even should she get past the formidable Alexa Grasso in the main event of UFC Vegas 62 this weekend, Viviane Araujo is not expecting to be rewarded with a title shot.
The Brazilian flyweight told media outlets including Cageside Press on Wednesday that she sees a number of potential opponents for champ Valentina Shevchenko in better positions than herself.
“I’m pretty sure whoever wins this this fight is going to be in a really good position, a really good spot to be in the top of the division,” Araujo (9-3) stated, speaking via translator. “But to be honest, I see a other opponents in a better spot or position than me. Like Taila Santos, Lauren Murphy, Jessica Andrade, and even Katlyn Chookagian. Maybe a rematch with her [against Shevchenko].”
“So yeah, I don’t think my next fight will be the title shot.”
Despite that rather honest analysis of the UFC women’s flyweight division, Araujo has been hard at work preparing to face Grasso, even working with a sports psychologist. “All my team, my doctors, my psychologist, kept the focus and they helped me a lot. So I’m 100% motivated for this fight,” she noted.
While she’s worked on her mental game, the prospect of a 25-minute fight against Grasso meant her conditioning could not be overlooked either.
“I’m always improving my physical condition, and for this fight, me and my team, all my team in Brasilia, the city where I live, we had this plan to improve my physical condition, and training at the same time,” Araujo explained. “So that’s what we did for this fight specifically.”
The Brazilian gets her first headlining slot in the UFC this weekend, which is very much a dream come true for the 35-year old.
“I’m very happy with this chance. I’ve dedicated myself and my life pretty much for 17 years for martial arts, and having this chance to be the main event is like a dream come true.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 62 media day appearance by Viviane Araujo above. The event takes place this Saturday, October 15, 2022 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
