Ariane Lipski says nasty armbar to tap Casey O’Neill at UFC 296 wrapped up her best year yet

LAS VEGAS – Ariane Lipski beat Casey O’Neill with a second-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Take a look inside the fight with Lipski, who picked up her third straight win.

Ariane Lipski vs. Casey O'Neill

Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski (left) reacts after defeating Casey O’Neill (not pictured) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

Result: Ariane Lipski def. Casey O’Neill via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 1:18
Updated records: Lipski (17-8 MMA, 6-5 UFC), O’Neill (9-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC)
Key stats: Lipski’s submission was her first stoppage win since July 2020. Like that one against Luana Carolina, her tapout of O’Neill got her an extra $50,000 for a performance bonus.

Lipski on the fight's key moment

Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m really happy with my performance tonight. Actually, I’m really happy with my performance this year. I think it was my best – no, I’m sure it was my best year in the UFC: Three wins in a row in a year, (and UFC 296) against Casey O’Neill, she’s a great fighter and she already fought big names in the UFC, so I was definitely ready for a war. … I was expecting to win by KO, but I knew if I had the opportunity, I could submit her.

“I trained to finish her out. I knew she would feel my hand because I punch hard. All my opponents know that, and because of this, they always try to take me down. So I’ve been improving a lot in my grappling, and now I feel more comfortable to show my striking – to kick and knee and do everything, all the techniques I’ve been training. I’ve also been training my jiu jitsu. I didn’t show it in my last fight, but I worked really hard with all my team, so I knew I could (submit her).”

Lipski on O’Neill’s pre-fight aggression

Lipski on what she wants next

Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski (blue gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m happy because the UFC give me this opportunity to fight. It’s not just about ranking. It’s about fighting against opponents who have names in the UFC and will bring me close to my goal (to be a champion). That’s what I’m looking for the next year: good fights, good names in the UFC thaat will put me on top. I wait for (opponents). I just say: ‘I’m ready.’”

To hear more from Lipski, check out the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.