Viviane Araujo delivered more of the more impressive UFC debuts in recent memory when she knocked out Talita Bernardo in the opening bout Saturday night at UFC 237.
When the week began, Araujo (7-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was not even on the card. An opportunity to fight Bernardo (6-4 MMA, 1-3 UFC) came up on four days’ notice, and she jumped at it.
That takes courage, especially considering Araujo typically fights at strawweight, and the matchup was at bantamweight. She weighed in at 131 pounds on Friday, and she entered the octagon for the first time and dominated Bernardo before finishing the fight (via Twitter):
UFC 237 took place at Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro. Araujo vs. Bernardo streamed on UFC Fight Pass prior to televised prelims on ESPN and the main card on pay-per-view.
Araujo said she plans to return to strawweight after the win and anticipates that’s where she’ll do her best work going forward in the UFC.
“When I got the call, I was ready for anyone, and I was positive that my UFC debut would be with a great win,” Araujo said. “I am a strawweight fighter. It is where I feel comfortable, and it is where you will see me win a lot out there.”
For complete coverage of UFC 237, check out the UFC Events section of the site.
