The UFC’s return to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night featured a clash of strawweight top 10 fighters as No. 7 ranked Mackenzie Dern stepped inside the Octagon for a clash with tenth-ranked contender Loopy Godinez.
After coming up short in back-to-back bouts against Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos, Dern was determined to climb back into the win column and continue her rise up the strawweight ranks. Standing in her way was Godinez, a rising prospect who has won four of her last five inside the Octagon including wins over Elise Reed, Tabitha Ricci, and Emily Ducote.
Round 1
Dern flashes a stiff jab to start. Godinez protects herself with a high guard, but Dern is landing shots right down the middle. Godinez comes back with a good left hook as Dern circles out. Dern begins to really sit on punches and Godinez lands a left that sits Dern down. Dern tries to coax Godinez to the ground, but ‘Loopy’ doesn’t take the bait and forces Dern back to her feet.
Dern punches her way into a double leg that Godinez defends. Dern drives her to the fence but Godinez breaks free and lands a nice knee on the exit. Dern goes back to her jab but eats a counter. Dern keeps up the volume and lands a nice counter that allows her to close the distance and throw Godinez to the mat. Dern moves directly into mount. Godinez tries to buck her off, but no such luck.
Godinez continues to defend, but Dern snatches her arm and digs in deep for an arm bar. Godinez fights to keep her arm from extending and Dern begins to use hammer fists to stop the stack. Godinez powers out and survives the round.
Round 2
Dern comes out once again aggressive with the strikes, prompting Godinez to close the distance and clinch against the fence. Dern looks to put all her body weight on Godinez. ‘Loopy’ separates and returns to the center of the Octagon where Dern continues to pump her jab. Godinez lands a nice jab of her own and Dern comes back with a one-two. Dern lands a right hook followed by another. Dern goes high with a kick but eats a left from Godinez for her trouble.
Godinez throws a body kick that Dern catches but ultimately lets go. Dern comes back with another one-two and continues to show big improvements in her striking. Dern attacks the lead led by Godinez followed by a straight kick to the body. Godinez charges in and pins Dern against the fence. Godinez fishes for a standing arm triangle, but Dern appears to be in little danger and opts to round out the remainder of the round.
Round 3
Dern continues to show off her stand-up game in the third but eats a looping left hand from Godinez. Nearly 90 seconds into the round, Dern shoots for a double leg. Dern takes Godinez down to the mat and immediately moves into side control. Dern looks for a mounted guillotine, but Godinez uses it as an opportunity to scramble back to her feet. Godinez briefly finds herself in a standing guillotine but manages to break the grip and separate.
Dern goes back to her striking as Godinez’s output begins to slow. Dern circles the outside of the cage as Godinez offers a limp jab. A solid left from Godinez lands. Dern attacks the lead leg, but eats a counter left from her opponent. With less than a minute left, Dern clinches up against the fence, but Godinez quickly breaks free. With 10 seconds left, Godinez shoots for a takedown but eats a couple of shots in the process.
The final horn sounds with the fighters trading blows in the clinch.
Official Result: Mackenzie Dern def. Loopy Godinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez at UFC Abu Dhabi:
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates :
Mackenzie Dern vs Loopy Godinez
Loopy survives rd 1 pic.twitter.com/M5H9QcvWEv
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) August 3, 2024
UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates :
Mackenzie Dern vs Loopy Godinez
End of 3 pic.twitter.com/2vCOlGliTP
— Just zipped a bong hit with my bear Ted (@stonedagainbros) August 3, 2024
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