The women’s flyweight division has always been a fascinating puzzle. This 125-pound class tends to fly under the radar despite housing some of the most technical fighters in MMA. The division has seen its share of surprises over the years, from Valentina Shevchenko’s dominant reign to the emergence of new contenders who refuse to follow the script. At UFC 317, two ranked flyweights will step into the octagon with plenty on the line. <\/p>
Tracy Cortez, sitting at number 10, faces Brazil’s Viviane Araujo, who holds the eighth spot in the UFC<\/a> rankings. This fight is a genuine crossroads bout where the winner takes a significant step toward title contention, and the loser might find themselves sliding backward in an increasingly competitive division. Both women have proven they belong at this level, but only one can climb higher when the dust settles.<\/p> Viviane Araujo brings seasoned toughness that only comes from years of grinding through the UFC’s unforgiving landscape. At 38 years old, the Brazilian veteran has seen it all during her six-year run with the promotion. Her 7-5 UFC record might not scream dominance, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story. She’s faced former champions and rising contenders alike, absorbing valuable lessons from each encounter. <\/p>Tracy Cortez vs. Viviane Araujo Preview<\/h2>