The lone women’s fight on the UFC 317 card on Saturday came as part of the televised prelims, with Brazil’s Viviane Araujo taking on Tracy Cortez in a flyweight fight.
Cortez had seen an 11-fight win streak come to an end after losing a decision to Rose Namajunas almost a year ago. The Arizona native had not fought since. As for Araujo, she was 2-1 over her last three fights, most recently defeating Karine Silva.
The contrast in game plans was apparent right off the bat in Cortez vs. Araujo. Viviane was happy to work on the feet, while Cortez immediately pursued a takedown. She wouldn’t land it, but did get the fight down on a second attempt moments later. The only problem was, when they came back to the feet, Araujo was able to control Cortez from the back. Along the fence, she got hooks in, and wrapped her right arm under the neck. Araujo’s left hand was still free, and she used that to batter Cortez with punches.
With three minutes still on the clock, there was still lots of time for Araujo to work. Cortez did turn in and get to her knees, eventually reversing the position and getting in the driver’s seat herself. Still with half a round to go, Cortez was going to need to make the next few minutes count. She was off to a good start, landing some heavy ground strikes; she then looked to slide a leg through as Araujo clamped down on it, mount or side control a possibility. Instead, Cortez wound up briefly on her feet before re-engaging on the ground. That set up a guillotine attempt; when it wasn’t to be had, a smashing elbow was instead.
Tracy Cortez might have had a slow start in round one, but she finished strong, and looked to carry that momentum into round two. Araujo, however, was able to put Cortez on the back foot a bit through the opening minute or two, though Cortez was able to counter and work her jab as well. Araujo would back Cortez up to the fence, only for Cortez to fire off a solid right hand. The jab continued to be a solid weapon for Cortez as well, one she would double up on at times. Her left kick to the body also hit home more than once.
The pair would tie up later in the round, with Cortez pursuing a takedown. Instead, Araujo jumped the guillotine, but didn’t have it. As a result, Araujo finished the round on her back, with Cortez the aggressor.
Cortez got the fight down early in the third, and took a smothering approach this time, even covering up Araujo’s mouth at times. Any time she could find space, Cortez popped off a few punches, either to the body or hammer fists. Elbows were in the mix as well. Araujo, at this point, appeared exhausted. With Cortez on top of her and nowhere near the fence, the Brazilian appeared to have no way out. Cortez would control to the final horn, almost certainly securing a decision win.
Official Result: Tracy Cortez def. Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
