Viviane Araújo vs. Amanda Ribas Prediction: Going for the decision win

Viviane Araújo and Amanda Ribas have been trading wins and losses in their last few outings and both Brazilians meet in the Octagon having lost their previous fights. The Flyweights will be fighting hard to get back into the win column in this bout and potentially set up a plum fight near the apex of the division. The fight is on the preliminary card of UFC 285 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and analysts have predicted a close-fought encounter. The odds have also reflected that sentiment with Amanda Ribas as a slight favorite with the lines likely to close further. We preview the fighters and pick expert betting tips for the event.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu is number eight in the UFC women’s Flyweight rankings and debuted in the UFC in May 2019. Although her debut win over Talita Bernardo was at Bantamweight, Araújo dropped to Flyweight where she has prosecuted her UFC career. She has lost three times in the division, all to higher-ranked fighters. Viviane Araújo’s last fight was a decision loss to Alexa Grasso In October 2022. The former Strawweight Queen of Pancrase is thirty-six years old. 

Last May, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu lost a controversial split decision to one of the top fighters in the Flyweight division and former title challenger, Katlyn Chookagian. Ranked as high as number fifteen in the Flyweight class last November, Ribas also competes in the Strawweight where she is number 9 ranked. Being a natural Strawweight, the black belt in jiu-jitsu depends on her technical skills. Always willing to wrestle and go to the ground, the 29 year old debuted in UFC in June 2019 picking up four consecutive wins before a setback against Marina Rodriguez in early 2021. Her fight against Chookagian was awarded fight of the night being a back and forth action for the three rounds. Trained by her father, a Brazilian Judo coach, she once said that she was born on the mat. 

The fight is almost too close to call. On paper, number eight ranked Viviane Araújo should be favorite against the unranked Flyweight who is a natural Strawweight. However, experts have looked at Amanda Ribas’ performance against Chookagian as a pointer that the younger fighter has got very good jiu-jitsu. At 36 years old, it is risky to expect Viviane Araújo to surmount this challenge against a fighter who is willing to go to the ground and use her jiu-jitsu. Added to the fact that Ribas seems to be the better all-round fighter and is on the rise, I believe she will find a way. A little stat to consider too. Ribas is 4-1 when her fights go to the judges’ scorecards.

• W2 at 1.80 odds on Bet 365
• W2 by submission or points victory at 2.1 odds on Coinplay
• Decision W2 at 2.47 odds on 1xbet