Ariane Lipski da Silva, a seasoned mixed martial artist and former Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW) champion, is set to make her debut in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) this Saturday at the UPMC Events Center in Pittsburgh. After a lengthy tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Lipski da Silva's journey with the organization concluded on a challenging note, but she approaches this new chapter with optimism and determination.
Lipski da Silva's UFC career spanned several years, during which she compiled a record of six wins and eight losses. Despite ending her UFC run on a three-fight losing streak, she reflects on her time there without regrets. "I stayed busy, always accepting every challenge, believing I could reach a higher spot in the UFC," she told Sherdog.com. Throughout her UFC tenure, she consistently took on opponents and fought with heart, pushing through both physical and mental hurdles. She highlighted that about half of her professional career was spent in the UFC and proudly noted her ascent to a Top 12 ranking in her division. The experience, she said, taught her invaluable lessons that will serve her well moving forward.
Her first opponent in the PFL will be Sumiko Inaba, a tough and gritty fighter who recently faced Dakota Ditcheva at PFL Champions Series 2. Inaba, nicknamed "Lady Samurai," is a veteran with a professional record that includes ten fights without ever being finished by an opponent. Lipski da Silva acknowledges Inaba's resilience but believes her own experience and skill set give her the edge. "She has a lot of grit, a lot of heart, but I believe that I'm much more experienced, stronger and have better technique," she said. Fans can expect an active and engaging fight, Lipski da Silva promised, noting Inaba's toughness, especially since Ditcheva, despite suffering a broken hand, was unable to secure a knockout.
Lipski da Silva has not competed since her last UFC fight nearly a year ago, a unanimous decision loss to Cong Wang at UFC 316. In that bout, Wang outstruck her significantly, landing 147 strikes to Lipski da Silva's 65 over the course of three rounds. The fight also presented challenges outside the cage, as Lipski da Silva weighed in six pounds over the flyweight limit. She later revealed that she was dealing with a health issue during her fight camp-a prolactinoma, a benign tumor on her pituitary gland. She underwent an MRI to diagnose the condition and consulted specialists after her camp. Although her doctor initially cleared her to compete, the process of cutting weight was complicated and stressful.
"We focused on my recovery during training camp in an attempt to keep my cortisol levels low," she explained. Despite enlisting a specialist to manage her weight cut alongside her coach and husband, Renato Silva, a miscalculation led to excessive weight needing to be lost at the last minute. This resulted in dehydration symptoms and a difficult weight cut. Lipski da Silva was grateful for her opponent's understanding during the fight, but she acknowledged how the early damage from calf strikes forced her to change tactics and ultimately affected her performance. Following this loss, the UFC released her from the roster.
Since then, Lipski da Silva has used her time away from competition productively. Now 32 years old, she has prioritized her health by working with medical specialists and addressing her medical condition. Initially uncertain about continuing her fighting career, she rediscovered her passion for the sport during this hiatus. Without the pressure of an imminent fight, she found joy once again in training and the discipline of martial arts. This renewed enthusiasm coincided with the opportunity to join the PFL.
In preparation for her PFL debut, Lipski da Silva has adopted a balanced training approach, focusing on steady progress without overexertion. She has placed particular emphasis on improving her grappling skills, an area she felt she did not have sufficient time to develop during her UFC tenure. She is eager to see how these improvements translate in her upcoming fight and beyond.
Looking ahead, Lipski da Silva is optimistic about her prospects in the PFL. The league's structure, which features fixed weight classes with rankings rather than solely tournament formats, offers a clear path toward a championship title. She recognizes the opportunity to build a career trajectory and aims to take it step by step. "My focus right now is on having a great debut. Then we'll take it one step at a time," she said.
The PFL Pittsburgh event will be headlined by a high-stakes middleweight clash and will be broadcast live on Saturday, March 28, starting at 10 p.m. ET. Ariane Lipski da Silva's fight against Sumiko Inaba marks a significant milestone in her career as she seeks to establish herself in a new organization and revive her competitive momentum. Fans and observers will be watching closely to see how this experienced fighter adapts and evolves in the PFL's competitive landscape.