MMA Preview – Viviane Araujo vs Natalia Silva at UFC Fight Night 235
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VIVIANE ARAUJO VS NATALIA SILVA FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 235? Saturday 3rd February, 2024 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 235? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Las Vegas (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 235? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 235 on? TNT Sports 1
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 235? 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!
VIVIANE ARAUJO VS NATALIA SILVA LOWDOWN
Viviane Araujo (12-5) has had a tough schedule. She began 2022 with a unanimous decision over Andrea Lee, but then lost two to the current champion Alexa Grasso (2022) and Amanda Ribas (2023). She was given another tough match-up to respond in the form of former title challenger Jennifer Maia (2023) and just about fell back into the win column with another unanimous decision.
It does not get any easier as Natalia Silva (16-5-1) is next in line and riding 10-fight win streak including four UFC fights. She earnt a unanimous decision over Jasmine Jasudavicius (2022) on debut which will age well. She then made light work of Tereza Bleda (2022) and Victoria Leonardo (2023) knocking them out and is now coming off a unanimous decision over Lee back in August.
VIVIANE ARAUJO VS NATALIA SILVA PREDICTION
Araujo was labelled as a finisher after her UFC debut and rightly so. However, all nine of her UFC bouts since have ended via unanimous decision. That said, these fighters are extremely skilled and exciting.
They are both athletic and technical strikers which will create exciting exchanges. They are also very good grapplers. Araujo holds the advantage on paper as a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Luta Luvre however, as we saw in the Jasudavicius fight, Silva has exceptional wrestling herself.
We expect this to be fiercely competitive wherever it goes. Araujo’s main advantage is her experience sharing the cage with better opponents which will be valuable.
That said, we feel Silva’s movement and takedown defence will make the difference. This is tough to call, but Silva has the tools to pick up the biggest win of her career.
Prediction: Silva via Decision
Value Bet: Araujo via Decision
