The UFC Abu Dhabi: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov main card on Saturday featured a women’s strawweight clash between 7th ranked Mackenzie Dern and 10th ranked Loopy Godinez.
Dern entered the bout hoping to rebound from back-to-back losses. She had been defeated in four of her last six fights and was desperately needing a win to stay relevant in the division. Godinez had a four-fight winning streak snapped in her last outing. Looking to get back in the win column, a win would move Godinez up several spots in the rankings.
Dern landed her jab early. Godinez kept her guard high and tried to close the distance. Godinez caught a kick and took Dern down but immediately let the ground specialist back to her feet. Dern closed this distance behind punches and clinched. Godinez separated and landed on the break. She connected with a counter combination. Dern pressed forward with a right hand. Dern clinched and tossed Godinez to the ground. She advanced to the mount with 95 seconds remaining in the round.
Dern isolated an arm and worked to extend her hips to secure an arm bar. She delivered hammer fists and punches from the bottom and Godinez freed her arm. She landed a couple of punches from top position as the round ended. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dern.
Dern continued to use her jab in the second frame. She came out aggressive and pressed forward. The two clinched after an exchange but quickly separated. Dern connected with a right hand. Godinez responded with a stiff jab. Dern began pressuring Godinez. Dern has had the higher output as Godinez looked to counter strike. As Dern moved into the pocket, Godinez met her with a right hand. Dern delivered a combination.
Godinez changed levels and took Dern down. Dern quickly stood and Godinez worked to lock in a standing arm-triangle. Dern stayed calm and the round ended. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dern.
Dern landed her jab to start the final round. Godinez responded with a hard right hand. Dern delivered a leg kick but Godinez countered with a left hand. Godinez began landing left hands. Dern changed levels, elevated Godinez and slammed her to the canvas. Dern moved to side control. Godinez kicked her off and stood. As she did, Dern worked to secure a guillotine choke. Godinez popped her head out and the two fought for position along the cage before separating.
Dern connected with an uppercut. Godinez reacted with a left hand. Godinez stepped in the pocket with a right hand. Dern responded with a leg kick. Godinez clinched and the worked for position. They separated with 20 seconds remaining. Godinez rushed in and delivered knees to the body as Dern fired off right hands. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Dern.
The judges scored the fight for Dern via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 29-28, 29-28, and 29-28.
