Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Ariane Lipski looked as good as ever earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 16, 2023) at UFC 296 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, when “Queen of Violence” put a gnarly stop to women’s flyweight contender Casey O’Neill with a second-round submission (armbar).
Lipski was the betting underdog for this “Prelims” affair, but you wouldn’t have known. The veteran fighter landed massive shots early including a right hand that badly hurt O’Neill, who had switched striking coaches entering this fight camp. Lipski was even able to reverse some positions and scored an impressive takedown along the cage in the first.
O’Neill is tough so she wasn’t going to go away easy. During a scramble on the ground in the second round Lipski nearly locked up a rear-naked choke. O’Neill shook free, but gave her arm up. Lipski took full advantage, grabbed the limb, cranked with all her might, and nearly snapped it off before O’Neill was forced to tap.
Check out the video highlights below:
ARIANE LIPSKI PUT ON A GRAPPLING CLINIC
Stream #UFC296 on ESPN2 and ESPN+ https://t.co/d0HNbGMC4r pic.twitter.com/JPFLlv7J6l
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 17, 2023
Lipski, 29, has now won her last three trips to the Octagon and captured her first finish since a submission over Luana Carolina back in 2020. O’Neill was supposed to win this fight, but it was Lipski who stole the show and proved that she’s still a name on the rise in the 125-pound division.
For complete UFC 296 results, coverage, and highlights, click HERE.
