Ariane da Silva, on a winning streak in her UFC career, is set to face flyweight prospect Karine Silva at UFC Vegas 91, viewing the matchup as a chance to prove she belongs among the sport’s elite.
Ariane da Silva is on a roll. She’s riding the longest win streak of her UFC career. This Saturday, she’s up against flyweight prospect Karine Silva at UFC Vegas 91. It’s a golden opportunity to prove she’s among the sport’s elite.
Once known as Ariane Lipski, da Silva forced Casey O’Neill to tap out with an armbar this past December. That win marked her third in 2023. It also catapulted her into the top 15 of the UFC’s flyweight rankings. Now, she’s got her sights set on halting Silva’s fast — and undefeated — UFC rise.
“I believe that I can enter the top 10 with a win in this fight,” da Silva told MMA Fighting. She’s been training hard, ready to climb to the top of the division. She’s eager to put on a show, demonstrating her evolution and maturity as an athlete.
Da Silva’s got big plans for 2023. She hopes to replicate her success from last year, aiming for a trio of UFC victories. The title picture is moving “slow,” with Alexa Grasso expected to defend the belt in the fall against Valentina Shevchenko. But da Silva isn’t deterred.
“I think three fights are the right number to go where I want to go,” da Silva said. She’s itching to move faster, especially given the slow pace at the top. Her focus is on winning this fight. After that, she’s leaving it in God’s hands.
Da Silva used to train at American Top Team. Then she moved to Amanda Nunes’ private gym in Florida. Now, she’s at the UFC Gym in Miami. Nunes may have retired, but da Silva has kept the same group of coaches that helped her secure her recent UFC victories.
“The goal is always the same since I entered the UFC,” da Silva said. Every fight is another step up the division. Winning three fights last year boosted her confidence. But her mindset remains the same. She’s always training to evolve and fight the best in the world.
Finishing O’Neill in December was the cherry on top of a perfect year in the UFC. But da Silva still misses the thrill of a knockout. Her opponent, Silva, has won her past eight bouts, including four submissions under the Zuffa umbrella. Da Silva knows what to expect.
“I almost got my first knockout in the UFC [against O’Neill], but the submission was good,” da Silva said. She scored a performance bonus for that fight. Now, her focus is on the April 27 fight. She’s always working on her standing and striking game. Not for her opponents, but for herself.
“I have a strategy to follow and I’m trained for whatever happens, on the feet or on the ground,” da Silva said. She’s keen to keep the fight standing. That’s her zone. She’s ready to show off the techniques she’s learned from her coach, Renato Silva. She’s got a lot to show. Karine is a grappler with good attacks, but da Silva has faced grapplers and strikers before. She’s one of the most experienced fighters in the division and she feels prepared.