Women’s matches in the UFC tend to be overlooked. It’s usually the boisterous, brash male personalities that dominate the airwaves, bringing eyeballs to the product. However, there’s one match this upcoming Saturday that should intrigue MMA fans: Ariane Lipski and Karine Silva.
The two fighters are hoping to boost their standing in the women’s flyweight division. They’re also looking for more exposure, with a win propelling them in the right direction. Therefore, both ladies will be putting on their best fighting performances on Saturday at UFC Apex.
So why should you watch this fight? What makes both fighters worthy of your viewing time? Here’s a look at what both Lipski and Silva can offer for your UFC Fight Night experience.
The Tape on Ariane Lipski
Ariane Lipski (17-8) is more of a striker than a grappler (4.27 significant strikes per minute compared to 0.64 takedowns per 15 minutes). The Brazilian fighter can beat her opponent into oblivion, making her dangerous.
However, that doesn’t mean Lipski doesn’t grapple her opponents. After all, she’s not the most accurate striker around (40% striking accuracy). However, the former KSW Women’s Flyweight Champion can land the big blow, making her an early threat.
For Lipski, that will be her key to victory on Saturday. Balancing her offense to not give too much away to Silva is paramount. That way, it can lead to a decisive victory or even a submission for the “Queen of Violence” (four career submissions).
The Tape on Karina Silva
On the other hand, Karine Silva (17-4) likes to finish her opponents quickly. How quickly? Her powerful jiu-jitsu allows her to go for an armbar in the first round. The 30-year-old isn’t afraid of going big early on.
That’s also a part of why she averages 4.1 submissions every 15 minutes. Her overall offense is aimed at overwhelming her opponents early, leaving them vulnerable to mistakes.
That’s what she should aim to do on Saturday. Overpowering Lipski with her strikes will set her up for a quick victory. If she can keep her opponent on her toes throughout the fight, she should cruise to victory.
The Verdict
This fight can end rather quickly. With both fighters specializing in the art of submission, fans could see one of the fighters tap out. However, that one fighter can rely on raw power to get her to victory.
That person is Karine Silva, whose devastating offense will prove to be too much. Her overall power poses a problem for Lipski, who must rely on being quick and balanced to neutralize her. Otherwise, this fight won’t make it past the first round.
More must-reads: