Tracy Cortez Escaped Early Trouble
Tracy Cortez defeated Viviane Araújo by unanimous decision at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025. Every judge scored the flyweight contest 30–27 after Cortez recovered from early back control and used repeated takedowns at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
A dangerous opening position demanded a response
Cortez pursued takedowns immediately, but Araújo eventually reached her back against the fence. With hooks established, Araújo threatened the neck and added punches as Cortez worked to turn inward.
Cortez escaped, reversed position and began landing heavy ground strikes. A later guillotine attempt failed, but she finished the round with further offense, including an elbow.
The jab supported another positional advantage
Araújo initially pushed Cortez backward in the second. Cortez answered with her jab, a right hand and kicks to the body, giving her more ways to interrupt the standing pressure.
When Cortez later pursued a takedown, Araújo jumped for a guillotine. The choke did not produce a finish, and Cortez ended the round attacking from top position.
Final-round control secured the sweep
Cortez brought the fight down early in the third and maintained heavy pressure. She mixed body punches, hammerfists and elbows while preventing Araújo from finding a clear escape.
The victory restored Cortez to winning form after her decision loss to Rose Namajunas nearly a year earlier. Araújo entered after defeating Karine Silva, but could not maintain the early positional success that briefly threatened to change the contest.
Sources
- UFC: June 28 Las Vegas venue, finish times and judges’ scores
- Cageside Press: early back control, escape, jab and final-round ground offense
- Sportsnet: return to winning form and takedowns in each round
