Viviane Araujo to Face Liz Carmouche in PFL San Diego Flyweight Bout on June 27

Veteran Brazilian fighter Viviane Araujo is set to step into the cage on Saturday, June 27, 2026, for a high‑stakes matchup against former UFC and Bellator star Liz Carmouche at the PFL San Diego event. The bout will take place at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California, at 7 p.m. Eastern Time and will be televised on ESPN 2.

Araujo, 39, returned to the PFL after a six‑year run in the UFC, where she reached the top‑10 in the women’s flyweight division. She is coming off a unanimous‑decision victory over Shanna Young on April 11. Carmouche, 42, is the reigning 2025 PFL Women’s Flyweight World Tournament champion and sits at number two in the PFL flyweight standings after a 12‑1 run since 2020.

The fight pits two seasoned veterans against one another. Araujo’s UFC experience has been a cornerstone of her career. “The most important moment in my career was my arrival to the UFC,” she said. “It was confirmation of all the hard work I put in over the years, to be among the best in the world.”

After leaving the UFC, Araujo signed with the PFL and made her debut in April. She trains at Cerrado MMA in Brasília—a gym that has produced fighters such as Vicente Luque, Gilbert Burns, and the Bonfim brothers. Her regimen blends striking, Muay Thai, wrestling, no‑gi jiu‑jitsu, luta livre, boxing, and a strong emphasis on physical conditioning.

In preparing for the San Diego bout, Araujo expressed respect for Carmouche’s credentials. “I have a lot of respect for her. She’s a very experienced athlete. She’s proven repeatedly that she belongs at the top. She’s a complete fighter,” she said. “I expect to beat her by imposing my rhythm and having an intelligent fight.” She added that her goal is to finish the bout by knockout, submission, or decision.

Carmouche’s résumé reads like a résumé of a champion. She has secured notable victories over Jessica Andrade and Valentina Shevchenko, and was the last Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Champion before moving to the UFC. In the UFC she challenged for both the Women’s Flyweight and Women’s Bantamweight titles and fought in the promotion’s first women’s bout against Ronda Rousey. Her recent PFL success culminated in a 2025 championship win over Jena Bishop by third‑round TKO.

The PFL, founded in 2017 and launched in 2018, has evolved from a season‑playoff‑championship format into a year‑round schedule featuring multiple championship belts across eight weight classes. The 2026 season schedule lists the San Diego event as “PFL San Diego: McKee vs. Isbulaev,” with Araujo vs. Carmouche positioned as a main‑card fight.

The bout is significant for both fighters. Araujo’s victory could propel her into title contention, while Carmouche will be defending her status as the reigning champion. The matchup also underscores the PFL’s growing prominence in the U.S. MMA landscape, offering fighters the chance to compete regularly and earn substantial purses.

Fans can watch the fight on ESPN 2 or follow the PFL’s official website for updates. The outcome will decide whether Araujo can break into the upper echelon of the women’s flyweight division or whether Carmouche will extend her championship reign.

At present, both fighters are in the final stages of preparation for the June 27 showdown. The next step is the fight itself, after which the PFL will continue its 2026 season, moving toward the championship rounds.