UFC Ends Relationship with Veteran Athlete Leaves Fans Perplexed
Viviane Araújo, a ranked women's flyweight with a career record of 13-7, recently found herself outside the UFC roster following a series of unexpected events. Despite her competitive streak, Araújo was released in July 2025, joining six other fighters who were dropped from the roster on the 10th of the same month.
The reasons for Araújo's release remain unclear, with no detailed public explanation provided. However, it is common knowledge that UFC roster decisions are influenced by factors beyond just fight outcomes. These may include marketability, contract terms, fighter behaviour, and the organization's long-term plans. In Araújo's case, none of these factors have been explicitly mentioned.
In recent times, Araújo has proven to be a game opponent, pushing seasoned fighters such as Natalia Silva, Amanda Ribas, Alexa Grasso, and Katlyn Cerminara to their limits. Her fights, including her most recent one against Tracy Cortez at UFC 317 on June 28, have often gone the distance. Although Cortez was favoured to win, the match was close, a testament to Araújo's resilience.
Araújo's last fight against Cortez was a low-output, tactical match, a stark contrast to her upset win over Karine Silva before that, a fight most expected her to lose. This flip in the script showcases Araújo's ability to surprise her opponents and audiences alike.
Notably, Araújo has never been stopped in her UFC career. Her biggest wins include Alexis Davis, Roxanne Modaferri, Andrea Lee, Jennifer Maia, and Karine Silva.
The UFC values marketability, momentum, and ceiling, and Araujo, at this stage, does not check those boxes. In today's UFC, being solid is not good enough; you have to be ascending or exciting enough to offset a plateau.
The news of Araújo's separation from the UFC has left fans in disbelief. Some have speculated that the UFC is cutting fighters who don't have a chance of becoming champions, while others believe that Araújo's lack of finishing opponents or entertaining style may have played a role in her release.
Despite her departure from the UFC, Araujo remains a capable and formidable opponent. Her career may not be over yet, and fans eagerly await to see where she will take her skills next.
Sports journalists and mixed-martial-arts enthusiasts eagerly anticipate Viviane Araújo's next step after her unexpected release from the UFC roster in July 2025. Given her history of close, competitive matches against well-known opponents like Natalia Silva, Amanda Ribas, and Tracy Cortez, Araújo's potential presence in the women's MMA veterans scene or in other renowned mixed-martial-arts organizations could instigate exciting new matchups in the sports world.
