Preview: UFC 255 Prelims

Women’s Flyweights

Antonina Shevchenko (8-2) vs. Ariane Lipski (13-5)

ODDS: Shevchenko (-160), Lipski (+140)

These two women have each disappointed in the UFC relative to expectations, but this should still be a fun scrap. Shevchenko’s last name obviously helped her garner some hype. As the older sister of current flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, she also comes from a strong muay Thai background but lacks the ancillary skills or physicality that make her sister truly special. She looks great against an opponent willing to be kept at range, but things have quickly gone downhill against opponents who can effectively pressure her. Shevchenko managed to handle Lucie Pudilova’s pressure, but against more practiced grapplers like Roxanne Modafferi and Katlyn Chookagian, “Pantera” essentially got taken down at will and was left to unsuccessfully try and stage a comeback. Lipski should provide a similar challenge, as her willingness to march forward has been part of what has gotten her in trouble since her UFC debut in early 2019. After successful stints in Brazil and Poland saw her live up to her “Queen of Violence” nickname, the hope was that Lipski could move quickly on the flyweight ladder. However, she dropped her first two bouts to Joanne Calderwood and Molly McCann in one-sided fashion. Lipski has kept her aggressive mentality inside the Octagon, but she has lost rounds thanks to her complete lack of regard for what the opponent is throwing back. Even Isabela de Padua, a late-notice opponent Lipski figured to run over, had success with her wrestling thanks to the favorite’s lack of defensive mindfulness. That aggression did finally lead Lipski to the best win of her UFC career to date, a vicious kneebar finish of Luana Carolina in July, and that should serve her well here. While she does not figure to be an overwhelming force, her constant dedication to activity should keep Shevchenko on her toes enough to keep from throwing her best stuff. It figures to be messy, but the pick is Lipski via decision.

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