By The Numbers: Viviane Araujo vs. Natalia Silva

UFC Fight Night 235 on Saturday will host the collision of two Brazilian stalwarts at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, as Viviane Araujo and Natalia Silva echo the time-honored tradition of age-old matchups. This clash is more than a contest of skill; it is a narrative playing out in the Octagon, with Araujo epitomizing the seasoned gatekeeper and Silva emerging as the surging contender with championship aspirations knocking on the door of the Top 5 rankings.

Araujo, a mainstay since her UFC debut in 2019, has been a perennial presence in the organization’s roster of female fighters. With a 6-4 record featuring victories over notable names like Roxanne Modafferi, Andrea Lee and Jennifer Maia, Araujo’s setbacks have only come at the hands of ranked opponents, including current women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso. Her well-rounded prowess and unyielding condition make her the litmus test for both aspiring prospects and seasoned veterans eager to prove their worth.

On the flipside, Silva firmly positions herself among the hopefuls, going 4-0 since entering the UFC. Notably, her triumph over Jasmine Jasudavicius continues to garner acclaim as it ages gracefully. Silva boasts an impressive overall winning streak of 10 fights, with eight finishes, showcasing a blend of striking acumen and submission skills that earmarks her as a rising star in the 125-pound weight class.

With that, we review crucial stats that serve as a preview for the upcoming clash:

4.34: Araujo displays an active striking style, landing an impressive average of 4.34 significant strikes per minute.

47: Araujo boasts a 47% striking accuracy, illustrating her precision as she successfully lands nearly half of her significant strikes.

5.19: Maintaining a measured strategy, Araujo soaks up 5.19 significant strikes per minute, showcasing her proficiency in minimizing impact while actively engaging in striking exchanges.

55: Araujo’s striking defense is impressive, with a 55% rate of opponents’ strikes missing their mark.

1.83: With an average of 1.83 takedowns landed every 15 minutes, Araujo reveals a balanced approach, effortlessly combining takedowns whenever required.

46: Araujo boasts a 46% takedown accuracy, illustrating her effectiveness in executing takedowns.

77: With a resilient 77% takedown defense, Araujo consistently thwart the majority of her opponents’ efforts to bring the fight to the ground.

0.7: Araujo has submission threats in her versatile skill set, averaging 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes.

5.20: Silva exhibits a dynamic striking style, landing an impressive average of 5.20 significant strikes per minute.

12: Twelve of Silva’s 16 career victories have come by finishes, showcasing her killer instinct and her ability to seize any opportunity to end a fight.

48: With a striking accuracy of 48%, Silva displays precision, landing nearly half of her significant strike attempts.

2.23: Silva maintains a solid defense by absorbing 2.23 significant strikes per minute, reflecting her ability to minimize damage.

65: Silva’s striking defense is noteworthy, with a 65% rate of opponents’ strikes failing to land, making her elusive and challenging to hit cleanly.

0.68: Averaging 0.68 takedowns landed per 15 minutes, Silva showcases a balanced approach, effectively integrating takedowns into her striking game.

33: Demonstrating proficiency in executing takedowns, Silva has a takedown accuracy of 33%, adding versatility to her overall fighting style.

92: Silva’s takedown defense stands strong at 92%, showcasing her exceptional defensive wrestling capabilities.