In the deep talent pool of the UFC women’s strawweight division, few fighters have made as immediate an impact with their grappling prowess as Polyana Viana. Nicknamed “Dama de Ferro” (the Iron Lady), Viana combines a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu with explosive finishes, ranking her among the division’s all-time leaders in stoppages.
Raised in the small town of São Geraldo do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil, Viana didn’t step onto the mats until she was 21—in 2013—but quickly turned professional that same year. After compiling an 8–1 record in regional promotions and capturing the Jungle Fight Strawweight Championship with a KO of Amanda Ribas, she earned her UFC contract and debuted at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders in February 2018.
Image: Brockmlesnarladf, PolyanaViana, CC BY-SA 4.0
What the Fighter Is Known For
Polyana Viana is best known for her ironclad submission game. Of her 13 professional wins, eight have come by way of submission—including rapid armbars and slick triangle chokes that have floored opponents before they can mount offense. Her ability to convert clinch exchanges into fight-ending holds has earned her back-to-back Performance of the Night bonuses in the UFC.
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Key Stats
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Full Name: Polyana Viana Mota
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Born: June 14, 1992 (age 32)
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Hometown: São Geraldo do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil
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Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
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Weight Class: Strawweight (116 lb / 53 kg)
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Reach: 67 in (170 cm)
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Team: TATA Fight Team
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Rank: Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Pro MMA Record: 13 wins, 8 losses (5 KO, 8 submissions, 1 KO loss, 3 submission losses, 4 decision losses)
Career Highlights
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UFC Debut (Feb 3, 2018): Submitted Maia Stevenson via first-round rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Anders
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Jungle Fight Champion (Nov 28, 2015): Captured the Jungle Fight Strawweight title with a first-round KO of Amanda Ribas
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Performance of the Night (Feb 13, 2021): Secured an armbar submission over Mallory Martin at UFC 258
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Performance of the Night (Nov 5, 2022): Delivered a knockout punch to defeat Jinh Yu Frey in 47 seconds at UFC Fight Night: Rodriguez vs. Lemos
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Division Records: Tied for fourth-most finishes (4) and second-most submissions (3) in UFC women’s strawweight history
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Concluding Thoughts
Polyana Viana’s rise from regional veteran to one of the UFC’s most feared submission artists underscores both her technical mastery and her finishing instinct. Although she’s faced setbacks, her ability to end fights in spectacular fashion makes her a perpetual threat—and a thrilling watch—for fans of ground-game fireworks.
As she continues to chase that elusive top-10 ranking, expect Viana to sharpen her striking and expand her arsenal, cementing her legacy as the Iron Lady of the strawweight division.
For more on the UFC’s top female talent, check out Top 7 UFC’s Hottest Female Fighters Today.