Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez, UFC Abu Dhabi Credit: Youtube/UFC
As part of the main card at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday, Lupe Godinez faced off in a key women’s strawweight bout.
Both fighters were looking to earn another victory at the Etihad Arena and move up the UFC’s 115-pound rankings, but Dern had a high-profile grappling match coming up next, while Godinez was fresh off of having her four-fight winning streak ended by Virna Jandiroba in her last bout.
Godinez’s sister, Ana, who represented Canada in wrestling at the Paris Olympics, received a kick just over a minute into the bout that knocked Dern flat on her back. Of course, taking Mackenzie Dern on the ground was not Loopy’s priority, so she wisely stepped back and took the fight to the stands again.
Shortly after, Dern went for a takedown along the fence, but Godinez reversed and the two were back in the center. Dern threw a jab, but was countered and pushed back. With two minutes left, Dern got a takedown and moved into mount position with ease. McKenzie got close to her opponent and nearly went for an armbar. Shortly after, she did just that, but Godinez tried to lock Dern in for defense. It was now a matter of time, and Dern was landing hammerfists from her back. Godinez finally broke free, but the final sequence cost her the round.
The second round was a stand-up affair, with Dern holding his own and continuing to show off the striking skills he’s honed in recent years, and when Godinez sat him down (and it was probably just a slip), he showed no signs of chasing Dern to the ground.
Going into the third round, it was clear that Godinez needed a finish or, at best, a tie. Godinez was doing his best to stay centered, throwing jabs and going for uppercuts. Ninety seconds into the round, Dern went for a takedown, lifting Godinez up and landing it with force. Dern was going for a mounted guillotine but couldn’t, which allowed Godinez to scramble out just before the midpoint of the round.
A tussle for position along the fence continued, with Godinez breaking away and again finding himself in open space. He had to contend with Dern landing a flurry of strikes, lefts, rights and kicks. With lateral movement, Dern was able to avoid most of Loopy’s strikes, and by the 90-second mark, Godinez’s tension was unmistakable. Dern threw a front kick that fell short, and Godinez fought back with his hands. In the clinch against the fence, Dern landed a knee and then another.
Official result: Mackenzie Dern defeats Loopy Godinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
