Viviane Araújo Gomes Bio
Viviane Araújo Gomes is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist competing in the Women’s Flyweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). She is a former Pancrase strawweight champion and previously competed in the UFC. Araújo’s early life was marked by domestic violence, which motivated her to pursue Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA as a platform to support victims of violence.
Early Life and Background
Viviane Araújo Gomes was born on November 21, 1986, in Ceilândia, Federal District, Brazil. Growing up, she witnessed her alcoholic father beating her mother on a daily basis, which led her to spend much of her time away from home. She started playing soccer to cope with the problems at home. Araújo later began Brazilian jiu-jitsu after an invitation from her jiu-jitsu coach and fell in love with the sport, eventually becoming a jiu-jitsu teacher. She transitioned to mixed martial arts as she grew tired of watching her father abuse her mother.
Path to MMA
After discovering Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Araújo developed a passion for combat sports. She earned her black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Léo Vieira and also holds a black belt in Luta Livre. Araújo uses her platform in MMA to voice her support for victims of domestic violence, drawing from her personal experiences. She has spoken about how sports helped her turn the tables on her circumstances and wants to inspire others who have faced similar situations.
Viviane Araújo Gomes Career
Early Career (2015-2019)
Araújo began her professional MMA career in 2015, fighting primarily in Brazil and Japan. She competed under notable organizations like Jungle Fight and Pancrase, where she established herself as a top strawweight contender. During this period, she earned the title of Strawweight Queen of Pancrase, which solidified her reputation as a skilled fighter in the lower weight classes. Her successful early career performances led to her signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Pancrase Breakthrough
During her time with Pancrase, Viviane Araújo Gomes dominated the strawweight division. She captured the Pancrase Strawweight Championship, becoming one of the most accomplished fighters in the organization’s history. Her success in Japan’s MMA scene showcased her technical skills and versatility as a mixed martial artist. These achievements earned her recognition and ultimately a contract with the UFC, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Current Team Era (2025-Present)
Viviane Araújo Gomes fights out of Cerrado MMA in Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil, where she has been training since the beginning of her professional career in 2015. In September 2025, it was announced that she had signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), marking a new chapter in her career. As of January 27, 2026, she is ranked #10 in the PFL women’s flyweight rankings, demonstrating her continued competitiveness at the highest level of MMA competition.
Fighting Style and Strengths
Viviane Araújo Gomes is known for her well-rounded skill set and technical proficiency in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. She has a strong ground game with submission abilities, as evidenced by her four career submission victories. Despite having only one knockout win, she has demonstrated solid striking abilities and defensive techniques. Araújo has consistently shown her durability and cardio, with six of her wins coming by decision, indicating her ability to compete at a high pace for the duration of fights.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout her career, Viviane Araújo Gomes has achieved several significant milestones. Her UFC debut came in 2019, where she defeated Talita Bernardo via knockout in the third round at UFC 237. She later secured notable victories against established opponents like Alexis Davis, Montana De La Rosa, Roxanne Modafferi, Andrea Lee, Jennifer Maia, and Karine Silva. Her victory over Jennifer Maia in October 2023 at UFC Fight Night 230 was particularly significant as it came after multiple previous cancellations and reschedulings of their bout.
Viviane Araújo Gomes Career Wins
Viviane Araújo Gomes has compiled a professional record of 13 wins against 7 losses in 20 career fights across various organizations. Her victory total includes wins by knockout, submission, and decision, showcasing her versatility as a mixed martial artist.
UFC Highlights
During her UFC tenure, Araújo Gomes achieved several significant victories against top competition. She defeated Talita Bernardo via knockout in her UFC debut, and later won against Alexis Davis via unanimous decision. Notable wins include Montana De La Rosa, Roxanne Modafferi, Andrea Lee, and Jennifer Maia by unanimous decision. Most recently, she defeated Karine Silva via unanimous decision at UFC 309 in November 2024, demonstrating her consistency as a high-level competitor in the flyweight division.
Other Wins & Performances
Before joining the UFC, Viviane Araújo Gomes dominated the Pancrase organization, winning the Strawweight Championship and establishing herself as one of the top strawweights in Asia. Her victory total includes wins in Jungle Fight and other regional promotions that helped build her reputation and earn her UFC contract.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC | 9 | 10 | 0 |
| Pancrase | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Viviane Araújo Gomes Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Viviane Araújo Gomes was born into a challenging family situation, witnessing her alcoholic father’s abuse of her mother on a daily basis during her childhood. Despite these difficulties, her mother remained a significant influence in her life, which Araújo has described as being a warrior. While there is no information about her family having a background in combat sports or MMA, Araújo has expressed that her mother’s resilience inspired her own strength and determination.
Personal Life
Viviane Araújo Gomes is known for using her platform to raise awareness about domestic violence, drawing from her personal experiences. She is unmarried and has no children. She currently resides in Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil, where she trains at Cerrado MMA. Araújo has become an advocate for victims of domestic violence and frequently speaks about how sports helped her overcome her traumatic past and transform her life.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Viviane Araújo Gomes had a mixed year in the UFC before transitioning to the PFL. She faced Tracy Cortez at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, but lost the fight by unanimous decision. This marked her final bout in the UFC, as she was removed from the UFC roster on July 9, 2025. On September 29, 2025, it was announced that she had signed with the PFL, beginning a new chapter in her career. As of January 2026, she is ranked #10 in the PFL women’s flyweight rankings, indicating she remains a top contender in the division despite the transition to a new organization.