NEW YORK – UFC strawweight Loopy Godinez has smashed a record by unexpectedly excelling in her element. If you ask her, it happened by chance.
At UFC 295 in Madison Square Garden, Godinez (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) set a record in the promotion by becoming the inaugural woman to secure four wins in a calendar year. She clinched a split decision win over Tabatha Ricci (9-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC), with a controversial scorecard that favored her opponent.
Setting the record is just something that happened while simply pursuing her passion for fighting.
“I’m making records by accident I think, because it’s not like I’m doing it like, ‘Oh, I want to do this,’” Godinez told reporters at a post-fight news conference. “I just love fighting. That’s what I do every day, I don’t do anything else. That’s my life. So of course, I just put all of my love and heart into this, and of course, good things are going to come out of this.”
The fight against Ricci seemed to be a clear decision win in her favor after the final round. However, one of the official cageside judges surprised everyone with a score of 30-27 in Ricci’s favor, as announced by Bruce Buffer. Godinez thought she won the fight, but she is aware that MMA judging often results in unexpected outcomes.
“You never know with the judges, and we’ve seen it in so many fights, like weird decisions,” Godinez said. “I wasn’t surprised because of that reason, because never leave the fight to the judges. We all see different things and we all root for different people. So, that happens.”
Enhancing Godinez’s new record even more is the fact that she didn’t have her first fight of 2023 until April. If she has her way and stays healthy, she would like to see what happens in 2024 if she begins earlier in the year with a similar pace. It’s all a part of her plan to eventually become the first Mexico-born UFC strawweight champion.
“Of course, my goal is to get the strap and be a dominant champion and we’re working for that,” Godinez said. “I know I have a lot to improve, a lot to learn and a lot to do, but we’re doing it. I recently made the move to Guadalajara to change camps, and I feel like I can see it, I can feel it. We’re just getting better. I’m just showing that I’m in. I’m 100 percent in this game.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 295.
Sarah Foster is your guide to the world of Mixed Martial Arts. With a deep understanding of MMA’s intricacies and a passion for the sport, she offers comprehensive coverage of MMA events, fighter profiles, and in-depth analysis of fights. Sarah’s commitment to the octagon ensures that readers stay engaged with the latest developments in the MMA world.
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