Ariane da Silva Aims for PFL Title After UFC Exit

The former KSW champion looks to prove herself again in the PFL after parting ways with the UFC.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 11:07pm

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Ariane da Silva, formerly known as Ariane Lipski, is embarking on a new chapter in her MMA career after being released from the UFC. The 32-year-old Brazilian fighter, once ranked as the No. 3 flyweight in the world, has signed with the PFL and will make her debut against Sumiko Inaba on March 28 in Pittsburgh. Da Silva contemplated retiring after her last UFC loss, but ultimately decided she has more to prove and is eyeing a PFL title run, which could potentially include a showdown with her former American Top Team teammate Dakota Ditcheva.

Why it matters

Da Silva was once considered one of the top flyweights in the world, but her UFC run did not live up to the hype. Her move to the PFL represents a chance for her to regain her status as an elite fighter and potentially capture a championship in a new promotion. The potential matchup with Ditcheva, another top flyweight, would also be a highly anticipated fight for fans.

The details

After winning the KSW flyweight title and establishing herself as one of the best 125-pound fighters outside the UFC, da Silva signed with the promotion in 2019. However, she struggled to find success, going 1-3 in the Octagon before being released. Following her last UFC loss, da Silva contemplated retirement but ultimately decided she had more to prove. She signed with the PFL late last year and will make her debut against Sumiko Inaba on March 28 in Pittsburgh.

  • Da Silva made her UFC debut at the start of 2019.
  • She lost her last three fights in the UFC, leading to her release from the promotion.
  • Da Silva signed with the PFL around October 2025, four months after her final UFC bout.

The players

Ariane da Silva

A 32-year-old Brazilian fighter formerly known as Ariane Lipski, who was once ranked as the No. 3 flyweight in the world. She has signed with the PFL after being released from the UFC.

Dakota Ditcheva

Da Silva's former training partner at American Top Team, who is also considered a top flyweight fighter and a potential future opponent for da Silva in the PFL.

Sumiko Inaba

Da Silva's opponent in her PFL debut on March 28 in Pittsburgh.

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What they’re saying

“After my last fight in UFC, I had time where I was really thinking if I wanted to keep fighting or not. I was like, 'OK, is it time to stop?' Then I just kept training because I like to train. It was the first time in a long time that I was only training, not thinking about my next opponent, my next competition. Just training for improvement, training for having fun.”

— Ariane da Silva

“My career was a fast start. I felt like everything was happening perfectly, on the right time. I was ready for the opportunity, and everything was just coming. When I signed with UFC, I saw so many good opportunities coming, but I wasn't ready for all that opportunity at that moment. But I took all of them. I was always feeling that I was ready. In my mind, I said, 'I'm ready, you're gonna take that.' I said yes for any fight.”

— Ariane da Silva

What’s next

Da Silva's PFL debut against Sumiko Inaba is scheduled for March 28 in Pittsburgh.

The takeaway

Ariane da Silva's move to the PFL represents a chance for the former KSW champion to regain her status as an elite flyweight fighter. After struggling in the UFC, she is determined to prove she still has more to offer and potentially capture a championship in a new promotion, which could include a highly anticipated matchup with her former teammate Dakota Ditcheva.