ABU DHABI – Viviane Araujo wants the public to know she’s more than just a striker.
At UFC on ESPN 20, Araujo (10-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) defeated well-respected ground fighter and former UFC women’s flyweight title challenger Roxanne Modafferi (25-18 MMA, 4-6 UFC) in a dominant unanimous decision.
“The last fight, I know I lost in December last year in 2019,” Araujo told MMA Junkie at the post-fight news conference. “I knew that I had to improve some details. Now, I grew a lot about my mindset (and) my techniques. I know that to be in the top five contenders, it’s really hard. People there are so tough. I’m been training a lot back in my gym after that loss. I’m improving.”
Araujo hopes UFC on ESPN 20 sets the tone for what’s to come this year. Although she’s often reaped the fruits of her striking labor, Araujo reminded reporters she’s a credentialed Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner. Constantly evolving her game, Araujo aims to show people in 2021 she’s more than just a striker.
“I want to fight three more fights in this year in 2021. I want to show everyone it’s not just boxing that I have. I have really good jiu-jitsu. That’s it. I really want to fight. … I’ve been training jiu-jitsu for a long time. I’m a black belt. I could show everyone that my jiu-jitsu is really good. I could fight (there) with Modafferi. We studied before that jiu-jitsu. We knew that we could fight with her on the ground.”
Araujo, 34, has won back-to-back fights. Since mid-2017, the Brazilian flyweight has only lost one fight – a unanimous decision to Jessica Eye.
UFC on ESPN 20 took place Wednesday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The card aired on ESPN.
Viviane Araujo hopes UFC on ESPN 20 kickstarts year of proving she’s more than a striker
