UFC veteran, ex-KSW champ announces retirement from MMA

Ariane Lipski da Silva competed for the PFL, UFC and KSWover the course of a 30-fight pro tenure. | PFL/MMAThe woman known as "The Queen of Violence" has decided to call it acareer.ArianeLipski da Silva announced her retirement via social mediafollowing a first-round submission loss to Jena Bishopat PFL San Diego on Saturday night. Lipski da Silva went 1-1 underthe Professional Fighters Leaguebanner but exits the sport havinglost four of her last five professional outings."Officially retired from MMA," Lipski da Silva wrote on Instagram."Everything has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Yesterday wasthe last time I stepped into the cage, bringing to a close ajourney of nearly 13 years as a professional MMA fighter, with theprivilege of competing in the biggest organizations in the world.I'm grateful for everything this sport has given me; for everyopportunity, every lesson, and every door it opened along the way.I gave my best to help women's MMA grow, even knowing that, attimes, my best may not have been enough."My hope is that I played a small part in creating moreopportunities for the next generation. More importantly, I hope theyoung women who are just beginning understand that they don't haveto compromise their values to become champions. Honor should neverbe sacrificed, because the people we choose to honor are often theones who help us go the farthest. I've learned that defeat ispainful. It's bitter, but it shapes our character and prepares usfor real life. I've also learned that victory is sweet and filledwith joy, but it can deceive the heart of anyone who isn't groundedin something greater."To everyone who stood by me throughout this journey, supportingme, believing in me, and cheering for me regardless of theoutcome,thank you from the bottom of my heart. The Queen ofViolence is done."

From KSW to UFC

The 32-year-old Brazilian rose to prominence under the KSW banner, where she went 5-0 while capturing the Polishorganization's flyweight crown. During that stretch, Lipski daSilva finished four of her five victories inside the distance.Her UFC tenure was marked by inconsistency, as she compiled a 6-8mark within the Las Vegas-based organization. Her most notablestretch was a three-bout winning streak in 2023 that includedvictories over J.J. Aldrich,MelissaGatto and Casey O'Neill. Lipski da Silva parted ways with theUFC on a three-fight skid. She then outpointed SumikoInaba at PFL Pittsburgh on March 28 before falling to Bishop.Lipski da Silva finished with an 18-12 professional recordoverall.