Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Polyana Viana
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Taking on heavy opponent
Viana will be tasked with facing Emily Whitmire at 1.5 pounds above weight at UFC 248 on Saturday in Las Vegas, Ariel Helwani of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
Viana has an advantage over Whitmire in terms of both height and reach, but she'll now face the challenge of taking on a 2-2 opponent at 1.5 pounds above weight. Of course, Whitmire will be required to forfeit 20 percent of her purse as a result. Coming off a three-fight losing streak, Saturday's bout may well play a key role in deciding Viana's future with the UFC.
Viana has an advantage over Whitmire in terms of both height and reach, but she'll now face the challenge of taking on a 2-2 opponent at 1.5 pounds above weight. Of course, Whitmire will be required to forfeit 20 percent of her purse as a result. Coming off a three-fight losing streak, Saturday's bout may well play a key role in deciding Viana's future with the UFC.
Looking to get back in win column
Viana will take on Emily Whitmire in a strawweight matchup at UFC 248 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Viana could very well be fighting for her future with the UFC, as she's currently riding a three-fight losing streak. While her opponent is 2-2 with the company, this fight sits as a pick'em at the sportsbooks as of Monday afternoon. Viana sports superior striking numbers -- both in volume and differential -- though one area of concern has been her takedown defense. Viana has only been able to defend half of the takedowns attempted on her during her four-fight UFC run, and Whitmire has seen the most success in fights where she's been able to get an edge in the grappling department.
Viana could very well be fighting for her future with the UFC, as she's currently riding a three-fight losing streak. While her opponent is 2-2 with the company, this fight sits as a pick'em at the sportsbooks as of Monday afternoon. Viana sports superior striking numbers -- both in volume and differential -- though one area of concern has been her takedown defense. Viana has only been able to defend half of the takedowns attempted on her during her four-fight UFC run, and Whitmire has seen the most success in fights where she's been able to get an edge in the grappling department.
Learns the danger of submissions
Viana lost to Veronica Macedo via submission (armbar) at 1:09 of Round 1 at UFC Fight Night in Montevideo, Uruguay on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Viana was hoping to get back on the winning track after dropping her previous two fights for the promotion. She scored an early takedown, and the fight looked like it was going her way. However, she ended up caught in an armbar and ended up submitting. After three-straight losses in the UFC, she might find herself looking for work. However, her opponent also was coming off three defeats going into this bout.
Viana was hoping to get back on the winning track after dropping her previous two fights for the promotion. She scored an early takedown, and the fight looked like it was going her way. However, she ended up caught in an armbar and ended up submitting. After three-straight losses in the UFC, she might find herself looking for work. However, her opponent also was coming off three defeats going into this bout.
Added to UFC Uruguay card
The UFC announced Monday that Viana (10-3-0) would be added to its card for UFC Uruguay on Aug. 10. She'll replace Rachael Ostovich (undisclosed) and take on Veronica Macedo (5-3-1) in a flyweight fight.
ANALYSIS
Ostovich was one of three fighters to withdraw from the event in Montevideo, but the UFC was able to quickly find a short-notice replacement in Viana, who owns a 1-2 record since joining the promotion. After winning in her Octagon debut in February 2018, Viana has dropped back-to-back bouts -- one via unanimous decision and one via split decision. A loser of three straight fights under the UFC banner, Macedo won't re-enter the Octagon with much momentum on her side, either.
Ostovich was one of three fighters to withdraw from the event in Montevideo, but the UFC was able to quickly find a short-notice replacement in Viana, who owns a 1-2 record since joining the promotion. After winning in her Octagon debut in February 2018, Viana has dropped back-to-back bouts -- one via unanimous decision and one via split decision. A loser of three straight fights under the UFC banner, Macedo won't re-enter the Octagon with much momentum on her side, either.
Drops split decision to Hannah Cifers
Viana lost to Hannah Cifers via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 28-29) at UFC 235 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was the rare fight that could have legitimately gone either way. Viana won the total strike battle by a count of 125-91 and she did a nice job of peppering Cifers with low kicks, but very few of the shots she landed appeared to do any real damage to her opponent. Viana, a submission specialist, showed she could hold her own in a kickboxing match, but she certainly looks out of her element on the feet. The Brazilian has now lost back-to-back fights after winning her UFC debut.
It was the rare fight that could have legitimately gone either way. Viana won the total strike battle by a count of 125-91 and she did a nice job of peppering Cifers with low kicks, but very few of the shots she landed appeared to do any real damage to her opponent. Viana, a submission specialist, showed she could hold her own in a kickboxing match, but she certainly looks out of her element on the feet. The Brazilian has now lost back-to-back fights after winning her UFC debut.