Viviane Araujo Used Pressure from Losing Streak in Her Favor at UFC Fight Night 230

Viviane Araujo entered UFC Fight Night 230 with her back against the wall.

After consecutive decision losses against Alexa Grasso and Amanda Ribas, the 36-year-old Cerrado MMA product desperately needed a victory to remain relevant in the UFC’s flyweight division. Araujo delivered in that regard, earning a unanimous verdict over former title challenger Jennifer Maia in the co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

“It feels amazing,” Araujo said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “The best part is the camp, the strategy, the game plan. The [key] word was patience. It worked perfectly. I followed the game plan to a T. I waited for her to use her boxing, overextend, so I could use my takedowns to keep her on her back. The best thing is when a strategy works, it makes me really happy. For me and my team, I’m really ecstatic.”

Araujo admitted that she felt pressure to get a win, but she was able to turn that into a positive mental approach.

“Of course there was pressure coming off two losses and fighting such a great opponent,” she said. “… However I owe a lot to my sports psychiatrist. She and I spoke every single day. She made me very mentally strong. My energy is great.

“I used the pressure actually to help me win the fight. You see me here: I’m in great spirits, great energy. Of course I felt nervous coming into this fight after two losses. But I was able to implement my game plan, I was able to fight hard.”

With her losing streak a thing of the past, Araujo will seek another ranked opponent for her next Octagon appearance. However, she refused to call out any specific opponent.

“I’m ready, I’m not really hurt. I fought a great fight. I’m healthy,” Araujo said. “I don’t want to pick names, I’m ready to go. Whenever they want to give me a ranked fight to propel me closer to eventually get a title shot, I’m game.”