LAS VEGAS – Ariane Lipski ensured that if she was going to step into the octagon with Karine Silva, it will be below one of the best situations potential.
Previous to being booked for a ladies’s flyweight bout on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 55 on the UFC Apex (ESPN, ESPN+), Lipski (17-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC) stated she was supplied a short-notice matchup with Silva (17-4 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at UFC 299 in March. Nevertheless, she selected to say no.
“They supplied me to battle her on 299 as a result of she was purported to battle with Lauren Murphy,” Lipski advised MMA Junkie and different reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “So Lauren Murphy obtained injured within the battle and I stated, ‘I can battle her, however I can not battle on that date.’ As a result of I used to be in Brazil and I had household and enterprise to handle and I wasn’t coaching, and I simply fought. I stated, ‘I can battle anybody, I simply want a full coaching camp.’ They rescheduled the battle for this Saturday.
“It’s not the battle I used to be anticipating after my final efficiency. I used to be anticipating somebody from the highest, however I do know all of the fighters are scheduled and I’m right here to battle. I all the time say sure to UFC. We obtained the battle and I’m prepared.”
Though Lipski, an honorable point out within the newest USA TODAY Sports activities/MMA Junkie ladies’s flyweight rankings, didn’t anticipate dealing with Silva subsequent, she understands why the matchup got here collectively. Silva has began her promotional tenure as the one feminine to document three consecutive first-round submission victories, gaining her a number of hype in fast style.
Lipski, 30, has by no means been submitted in MMA competitors, although, and thinks all of her fights via KSW and UFC shall be an enormous issue within the consequence.
“She’s new, I believe what’s going to make the distinction on this battle is my expertise,” Lipski stated. “Not solely within the UFC, however my complete expertise as an MMA fighter.”
If Lipski is ready to get her hand raised this weekend, she can be on a four-fight successful streak within the 125-pound division. She thinks that shall be sufficient to get a marquee battle that will take her profession to the following degree.
“It’s time to indicate I’m able to go to the highest,” Lipski stated. “I made this camp centered on having one of the best efficiency ever within the UFC to indicate I’m able to go to the highest. For positive, we’ve got plans.”
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