In a crucial women’s strawweight clash at the UFC Abu Dhabi event, Mackenzie Dern faced off against Loopy Godinez, both looking to return to the win column and climb up the UFC’s 115-pound rankings. The highly anticipated matchup took place at the Etihad Arena on Saturday.
Godinez, whose sister Ana was representing Canada in wrestling at the Paris Olympics, made an early impact by catching one of Dern’s kicks and dumping her to the ground. However, Dern, known for her grappling prowess, quickly gained the upper hand and maneuvered her way into a dominant position, nearly securing an arm-bar before the round ended.
Just because you’re an ADCC all timer doesn’t mean you aren’t susceptible to leg entanglement or X-guard elevations to stand. Loopy is cool af pic.twitter.com/nzZqF8Fhnj
— Josie Aldo (@JosieAldoMMA) August 4, 2024
The second round saw a more stand-up based battle, with Dern showcasing her improved striking skills. Godinez attempted to find success with her jab and uppercut, but Dern’s lateral movement and counter-striking kept her at bay.
As the fight entered the final round, it was clear that Godinez needed a finish to secure the victory. The two fighters engaged in a positional battle along the fence, with Dern eventually unleashing a flurry of strikes, mixing in kicks and knees. Godinez’s sense of urgency was palpable, but Dern’s effective defense and well-timed attacks ultimately earned her the unanimous decision victory, with all three judges scoring the bout 29-28 in her favor.
This win marks a significant milestone for Dern, as she snaps a losing streak and takes a step forward in her quest to climb the women’s strawweight rankings. The impressive performance showcased Dern’s well-rounded skill set and her ability to adapt to the challenges presented by her opponent.
“The game plan definitely wasn’t like to be boxing the whole time, you know, especially with her, I know, right?” – Mackenzie Dern explained in an interview after adding, “I would like to fight Tatiana Suarez if she doesn’t go for the belt. I think that’d be a great matchup, a wrestler, you know, so I would like that fight. I fought with Jessica last November, so I mean, I don’t really know too many people who are open. I would like to fight Tatiana Suarez if she doesn’t go for the belt.”
With this victory, Dern has solidified her position as a contender in the division and set the stage for her next challenge, as she prepares for a high-profile grappling match in the near future. Fans of the sport will be eager to see what the future holds for this rising star in the UFC’s women’s strawweight division.
