UFC Abu Dhabi: Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez: Full video highlights
The Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez highlights mark a spectacle of a fight. Both women needed a win, though Dern was in a more dire position than her foe, having lost her last two matchups in a 1-3 rough patch. Meanwhile, Godinez had suffered her first loss since a four-fight win streak.
The two strawweights clashed in a 115-pound showcase, with Dern's world-class Brazilian jiu-jitsu paired against Godinez's strong wrestling game. With three rounds to determine the winner, neither woman was willing to give an inch, brawling to the end.
Dern's grit, toughness, and slick grappling were on display, and that ultimately proved to be decisive as she emerged victorious via unanimous decision.
UFC Abu Dhabi: Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez: Highlights
The first round of Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez was defined by two halves. Initially, both women engaged on the feet, with Dern looking the sharper striker between the two during the initial phase. The American looked to show off her work with Henry Cejudo by shooting for a takedown, but it was stuffed.
Godinez landed a hard knee and hook off the break, and grew in confidence, cracking her with a right hand. As the fight played out, both women found themselves brawling, before Dern took advantage of an exchange to score a quick outside trip, which landed her directly in top mount.
Unfortunately for her, her grappling didn't lead to a finish, despite her decision to transition into an armbar, which Godinez defended and escaped, landing ground-and-pound to end the round.
Check out the armbar in round one of Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez:
Round two was more of the same, with the two men swinging for the fences, and Godinez finding a home for her right hand, which caused Dern to shoot for a takedown that found no success. The fight grew more chaotic as the clock ticked, with the two strawweights bloodying and bruising each other.
The round ended with a standing arm triangle from Godinez, but Dern defended until the end. Round three was more of the same, with punches flying in flurries, and both women stunning each other, before Dern found an opening for a takedown, from which to side control within seconds.
Check out the Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez verdict:
Godinez, though, was game, forcing a scramble, with Dern ending up in mount before they got back to their feet. Dern threatened with a standing guillotine choke but Godinez defended well, and the fight returned to a striking affair, with the judges ultimately favoring Dern in the end.