Preview: UFC Fight Night 192 ‘Smith vs. Spann’

Tom FeelySep 17, 2021


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Women’s Flyweights

NR | Ariane Lipski (13-7, 2-4 UFC) vs. NR | Mandy Bohm (7-0, 0-0 UFC)

ODDS: Lipski (-120), Bohm (+100)

Lipski’s UFC career has not gone exactly as planned. Lipski came to the UFC with the expectation that she would shortly become a contender—she was matched with Joanne Calderwood in her 2019 debut—but instead, she has lost twice as much as she has won in her six Octagon bouts to date. On the plus side, Lipski has at least lived up to her “Queen of Violence” moniker, albeit often to her own detriment. Lipski’s tendency to track in on whatever offense she is going for in turn leaves her absolutely open on defense. That usually leads to a losing battle, though it did at least provide the highlight of her career thus far: a gnarly kneebar submission of Luana Carolina in July 2020. Subsequently getting outwrestled by Antonina Shevchenko was not a good look, and after dropping her last bout to Montana De La Rosa, Lipski returns in search of a win over a German newcomer.

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Bohm has some decent size and length for the division, but she is not particularly proven just yet. At her core, it appears Bohm would be most comfortable picking apart her opponents from range, but those plans tend to go out the window quickly when the other fighter brings pressure. However, it is a good sign that Bohm has proven her scrappiness in clinch and grappling situations, even scoring the occasional submission. For all her flaws, Lipski is still a step up in terms of athleticism and aggression from Bohm’s opposition thus far, so there is a chance that she can fully blow open the undefeated SBG Ireland product’s game and score a quick finish. Given how little things seem to be working for Lipski right now, Bohm seems to clear the hurdle in terms of having enough skill to keep her at bay and outlast her for a win. The pick is Bohm via decision.

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