Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look at former KSW Strawweight Champion Ariane Lipski as she makes her UFC debut against veteran Scottish fighter Joanne Calderwood at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in Brooklyn, New York.
Ariane “The Violence Queen” Lipski
Hometown: Curitiba, Parana, Brazil
Age: 24
Height: 5’6”
Reach: 67”
Weight Class: Women’s Flyweight
Camp: Rasthai Temple
Career Record: 11-3
Key Wins: Sheila Gaff
Key Losses: None
Background The former KSW Flyweight Champion has been on a tear in one of Europe’s biggest promotions. She’s won nine straight fights with seven of those victories coming by stoppage.
Strengths
- High level kickboxing acumen
- Heavy hands
- Accurate right hand
- Good footwork to maximize punching power
- Disguises her kicks well
- Strong in the clinch with heavy knees
- Good chin; seems unphased by striking of her opponents to date
- Comfortable on the mat either in top position or off her back
Weaknesses
- Can be hit on the counter
- Too willing to take a punch to throw one of her own
- If can pressure her, can slow her down
- Hasn’t been tested against a high-level wrestler
Fighter Grade
Offensive Striking: B+
Striking Defense: D+
Knockout Power: B+
Athleticism / Speed: B
Footwork: B-
Chin: C+
Offensive Wrestling: D+
Takedown Defense: D+
Submissions: C
Conditioning: C-
Intangibles: B-
Overall Grade: B-
Matchup with Joanne Calderwood
In what should be an exciting bout, Joanne Calderwood welcomes Ariane Lipski to the UFC. Both fighters are at their best on the feet. Calderwood is good in the clinch and using all of her weapons on the fight. Despite that, I feel Lipski has the advantage on the feet. She’s brimming with confidence on the back of a nine fight winning streak and she throws hands with more power. Lipski is also eight years younger and has much less wear and tear on her body. She’s the more durable fighter and is more than capable of taking a punch to throw an even better one of her own. Expect Lipski to land in this fight and after a few clean punches, Calderwood will struggle to fight back with much conviction as Lipski earns her tenth win in a row and gets her UFC career started with a stoppage victory. As Calderwood has been exposed by submissions, the TKO prop is a little riskier, but I do recommend Lipski inside the distance (+205). Given Lipski’s finishing ability and Calderwood’s struggles with durability, this is one of the stronger prop opportunities on the undercard.
UFC Ceiling Ariane Lipski is one of the best flyweight prospects to join the UFC. She has a refined striking game with real knockout power. Lipski already has had several fights in KSW and done well in them, so I don’t expect there to be a tough transition into the UFC. Given that flyweight is a shallow division, Lipski could easily enter the top ten of the division with a win over Calderwood and perhaps even be talked about as a title contender by the end of 2019.
Fight Film Check out Ariane LIpski in some of her most recent fights:
Ariane Lipski vs. Diana Belbita
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSL4vXhfmgo Ariane Lipski vs. Sheila Gaff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7kA22-CJ2A Ariane Lipski vs. Juliana Werner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7kA22-CJ2A
