When Ariane Lipski was signed by the UFC, many believed the Brazilian to be on a fast-track for flyweight success.
After making her KSW debut in 2015, “The Violence Queen” went on an impressive undefeated run that included five brutal finishes, and MMA fans were excited to see how she would fare in the UFC’s newest division.
However, after an unsuccessful debut at UFC Brooklyn, where Lipski was defeated by veteran Joanne Calderwood, it was perhaps a case of too much, too soon for the Kings MMA fighter.
At UFC Greenville, Lipski returned to face former Cage Warriors champion, Molly “Meatball” McCann who was 1-1 since making her UFC debut in 2018. Despite entering as a sizeable favorite, Lipski was beaten in even more comprehensive fashion, out-struck and out-grappled in every round by the Liverpool native.
After this devastating start to her UFC career, Lipski took to Instagram and explained the struggles that come alongside losing on the biggest stage, especially after dreaming of reaching the UFC for years.
“It’s not easy to run after your dream, and see it running from you even faster. But life is not easy. It’s 479 days not having my hand raised, not feeling the amazing and pleasurable sensation of the victory, not feeling the lightness of having completed my job as I should have done.”
Lipski, who is just 25 years old, described the feeling of going from dominating an entire division to losing consecutive fights, the first time she has done this since 2015.
“I have already been through 2 defeats in a row in the beginning of my career when I had no money to buy an egg or a bus ticket, and what have I done? Had 9 victories in a row, and spent 3 years not knowing what it’s like to lose, so what am I going to do now? I’ll keep trying.
“I know I’m better than my last fight. I know what I have already improved and what I still need to improve. I have health, an incredible husband and he is the best coach in the world and an amazing team willing to help me to be better”
“For the people who have nothing good to say and prefer to judge instead of supporting, please try to dedicate every hour of your day for a dream, and even not having the result that you wanted, keep trying even harder. Only after that you can point your finger at me or anybody else. Otherwise, keep seated in your sofa pointing fingers, just because it’s so much easier this way.”
While many athletes would let consecutive defeats drain their motivation significantly, especially after spending years trying to reach this point, it’s a testament to Lipski’s strength of character that she still remains focussed on becoming champion and is already training for whatever comes next.
Lipski also had a message for those who have criticized and attacked her following her first two UFC appearances, suggesting only those who have pushed through the adversity and hardship that professional fighters face are in a position to criticize her.
With that mindset, it seems clear that “The Violence Queen” is not done yet and big things are still to come from the Brazilian.