UFC Vegas 62: Grasso Vs. Araujo Fight Breakdown

Alexa Grasso (14-3) will be facing Viviane “Vivi” Araujo(11-3) in the main event of UFC Vegas 62. MMA Fighting Universe was the first to announce the bout back in august, UFC announced the rebooking and main event position. Grasso is unbeaten at 125 pounds while Araujo is 5-2 within the division.

Underrated Stakes At UFC Vegas 62 

With UFC 280 right around the corner, some MMA fans  have written off this main event bout. Both fighters are very close to staking their claim for a title shot. Back in January, Grasso was still unproven in the division, but submitting Joanne “Jojo” Wood helped propel her into the top five. Even with that, there are a number of things miring the accession of the Mexican fighter, namely the inactivity. There is no doubt her opponent will look to put the pace on her. 

Looking at the Brazilian, she has been tested more within the division then Grasso, and is close to a title shot winning 3 of her last four. Debuting in the promotion back in 2019, she has proven to be a great sign for the UFC.  

Grasso Vs. Araujo Match up 

Vivi has shown an ability to perform wherever the fight goes, in her most recent bout, outworking Andrea Lee to a decision victory. The Brazilian is known for her BJJ game, shooting an average of two takedowns a bout, but also boasts a 90% takedown defense rate. While Grasso has been willing to take the fight to the ground, she has two great reasons to not even consider it in this outing.

On the other hand, Vivi does not finish fights as often as Grasso only having one finish in seven UFC bouts. The hands of the Mexican cannot be forgotten when looking at this match up. What has made Grasso the favorite is her boxing, doing some real damage to Carla Esparaza, and outworking “The Future” Maycee Barber with boxing and clinch control. The victory over Wood showcased a catch mentality that has become more relevant over this past year. Finding the hold  shows growth, so while she is somewhat inactive, Grasso makes strides in every outing. 

What makes the match up interesting is how well balanced Vivi is. It’s doubtful that Grasso will be able to control the Brazilian on the fence, and Grasso gives up 60% of takedowns. In a five round fight, this bout feels like a pick’em. This fight presents various questions such as, will Vivi even look to get the fight to the ground and if so can Grasso keep the fight standing? How does Vivi Stand up fair against boxing? It’s challenging to pick a winner, but it will become clear after the first round. 

Implications For UFC Vegas 62

As mentioned before, if either fighter is able to make a big statement, they could reach a title shot. Looking at the top five, all those fighters have had their crack at the championship. Chookagian is also knocking on the door for a second go at it, but if these fighters can make the most of the opportunity, they could pass her up. Many fighters underestimate the power of the mic time after a win, 125 pounds needs someone to stake their claim. While the odds do not reflect it, this bout is a close one, with someone pushing to the top.

Let us know who you think will come out on top at UFC Vegas 62 in the comments below!

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