MMA Preview – Jennifer Maia vs Viviane Araujo at UFC Fight Night 230
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JENNIFER MAIA VS VIVIANE ARAUJO FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 230? Saturday 14th October, 2023 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 230? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 230? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 230 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 230? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
JENNIFER MAIA VS VIVIANE ARAUJO LOWDOWN
2022 was going miserably for Jennifer Maia (21-9-1) losing two unanimous decisions on the trot to the flyweight gatekeeper Katlyn Chookagian and Manon Fiorot. However, she clawed a unanimous decision back at the end of the year over Maryna Moroz and then flew to London in March this year to earn her 12th decision over Casey O’Neill handing the Scottish Aussie her first career loss.
Viviane Araujo (11-5) is in contrasting form facing a three-fight skid. She also got outpointed by the gatekeeper Chookagian (2021) but then responded by outpointing Andrea Lee (2022). However, she has gone on to lose two more unanimous decisions to the current champion Alexa Grasso (2022) and Amanda Ribas back in March at UFC 285.
JENNIFER MAIA VS VIVIANE ARAUJO PREDICTION
Both fighters are very well-rounded as black belts in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with decent striking. Maia is the better technical boxer whereas Araujo is more explosive and dynamic.
They are likely to spend most of the fight trading on the feet where Araujo will look more threatening, but her lack of defence will allow Maia to land more. We are also likely to see them clinch up for portions of the fight with Maia most likely to initiate.
Although Araujo is more aggressive in hunting the submission, Maia is the better wrestler and should be able to assume more control time. She is not very dangerous and it would be very surprising to see her find a finish, but her cardio advantage should allow her to put it on Araujo in the second and third round.
Prediction: Maia via Decision
