Ariane Lipski, known as the “Queen of Violence” in the regional scene and during her reign as the KSW flyweight champion, has occasionally lived up to her moniker, as evidenced by her brutal kneebar victory over Luana Carolina in Abu Dhabi. However, she has yet to receive a knockout in the UFC.
Ariane Lipski
“I don’t see [my lack of UFC knockouts] as a weight over me, because I had that kneebar that almost counts like a knockout,” said Lipski, who on Saturday faces Priscila Cachoeira at UFC San Diego. “It didn’t feel quite like a knockout, but am I going to complain? It was one of the best submissions of the year, and I made history with the first kneebar in UFC flyweight history.
“I want a knockout because I’m a striker and because it’s been a while since I haven’t won by knockout [in the UFC]. But I believe in timing. I don’t carry it as a weight. If it’s in this next fight or the following one, I believe it’s going to be in the right time, and it will be historic, it will be shocking, it will be exciting, and it will be perfect.”
After a decision victory over Mandy Bohm, which ended a two-fight losing streak in contests against Antonina Shevchenko and Montana De La Rosa, Lipski felt revitalized in preparation for Saturday’s event. This was Lipski’s first return to action in 11 months.
UFC Vegas 59
This past Saturday’s UFC Vegas 59 was supposed to feature Lipski vs. Cachoeira, but Lipski missed weight due to health issues. The fight was shifted to the San Diego event a week later, this time at 135 pounds.
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Priscila Cachoeira
Cachoeira also struggled to get off to a good start in the UFC, suffering defeats to Valentina Shevchenko, Molly McCann, and Carolina. However, she went on to win three of her subsequent four fights, including two bonus-winning ones. Despite expecting Cachoeira to avoid a stand-up conflict, Lipski said she is not underestimating Cachoeira.
“She put on some good performances in the UFC, but I believe my technique will be the key to win this fight,” Lipski said. “She’s a striker, but she went for takedowns in her last fight. I believe she’ll try to take me down, at least later in the rounds to score points. It’s MMA, and I’m prepared for everything now. We can’t expect just striking or grappling.
“Winning is the most important,” she continued. “I’m always fighting and dreaming with my first knockout in the UFC and training hard for that, but I’m also focused on my evolution as an athlete and being more patient. I won’t rush things for a knockout or a submission. If the opportunity comes, I’ll definitely take it, but I’m determined to win every minute of the fight.”
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The third time is the charm!
In her MMA career, Cachoeira was scheduled to face Lipski twice, but the fight never happened. First, in late 2017, Lipski was scheduled to defend her KSW championship against Cachoeira, but “Pedrita” withdrew in order to join the UFC and take on Shevchenko. Lipski vs. Cachoeira was then scheduled for UFC Sao Paulo two years later, but Cachoeira failed a drug test.
“Third time’s the charm,” Lipski said.
She remarked, “It’s three entirely different moments.” “I feel more mature and confident as the KSW champion, having just experienced my first victory after obtaining my first victory after two losses in the UFC. I believe this is the right time to make this fight. We moved to the United States to improve my grappling, but I’m not evolving only in that area. I continue to evolve in my striking too, so I feel prepared and confident to fight Priscila now.”
