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Casey O’Neill opens up on armbar loss to Ariane Lipski at UFC 296, adamant she’s ‘one of the best in the world’
Casey O'Neill won’t be deterred after suffering her second consecutive loss at UFC 296.
O’Neill (9-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) was submitted by Ariane Lipski in the second round this past Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. Once a highly touted undefeated flyweight, O’Neill finds herself in a rough spot after back-to-back losses to Jennifer Maia and Lipski.
She took to Instagram to address the loss, insisting that she’s still a top 125-pound fighter.
“I am heartbroken, confused, disappointed. I didn’t get a chance to show you guys who I can be.
“I will be back as soon as possible, we keep pushing.”
Lipski dropped O’Neill with a big right hand at the start of Round 2 which lead to the fight-ending sequence. “The Queen of Violence” chased O’Neill to the ground and eventually transitioned to a nasty armbar to secure the finish. But O’Neill revealed that Lipski caught her early in the fight and she was never able to properly recover.
“I gave everything to this camp,” O’Neill said in her statement. “I looked amazing in the gym, I was sparring so well. Then in the fight, I get caught early in the first and had to fight on autopilot the whole fight. It sucks. I don’t know why I couldn’t do what I have been doing everyday.
“I am one of the best in the world and last night I did not prove that. Two losses is a hard swallow. So where do I go from here? I can’t quit. I’m not a coward. So we have to move forward. Thank you for all the support. I will figure it out and be back soon.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.
Ariane Lipski, UFC 296
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Casey O'Neill, UFC 296
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Casey O'Neill vs. Ariane Lipski, UFC 296
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory…
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile…
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski (blue gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) fights Ariane Lipski (blue gloves)…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Casey O’Neill…
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski (blue gloves) reacts after defeating Casey O’Neill (not pictured) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) reacts after losing to Ariane…
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Casey O’Neill (red gloves) reacts after losing to Ariane Lipski (not pictured) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski reacts after defeating Casey O’Neill (not pictured)…
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski reacts after defeating Casey O’Neill (not pictured) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski (left) reacts after defeating Casey O’Neill (not…
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
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MMA: UFC 296 - ONeill vs Lipski
Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Ariane Lipski (left) reacts after defeating Casey O’Neill (not…
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
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Ariane Lipski def. Casey O'Neill, UFC 296 Scorecard
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