Tag: Loopy Godinez

UFC on ABC 7: Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7 odds between Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez, with MMA picks and predictions.

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In a 3-round women’s strawweight bout on the main card, Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez meet Saturday at UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC on ABC 7: Dern vs. Godinez odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin noon ET, on ESPN2/ESPN+, while the main card starts at 3 p.m. ET, on ABC/ESPN.

Records: Dern (13-5-0) | Godinez (12-4-0)

Dern has lost the past 2 fights while going just 2-4 in the past 6 bouts. She suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Amanda Lemos at UFC 298 in her most recent fight. Prior to that, she suffered a Round 2 KO/TKO loss at UFC 295 against Jessica Andrade.

The fight against Andrade was a rarity, as Dern has gone the distance in 5 of the previous 6 outings.

Mexico’s Godinez suffered a unanimous-decision loss to Virna Jandiroba last time out March 30, snapping a 4-bout win streak. Like Dern, she often needs the judges to determine a winner. Since Oct. 16, 2021, Godinez has ended up going the distance 8 times in the past 9 outings.

Dern has a 2-inch reach advantage, and she is also 2 inches taller. Godinez has a 4.13-to-3.31 significant strikes landed per minute advantage, and the Mexican fighter is slightly more accurate with those strikes at 53.97% to 52.97%. Godinez also has a 3.04 takedown average, while Dern has a 1.31-to-1.01 submission average advantage.

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UFC on ABC 7: Dern vs. Godinez odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Dern -120 (bet $120 to win $100) | Godinez +102 (bet $100 to win $102)
  • Over/Under: 2.5 rounds (Over -260 | Under +192)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -215 | No +162)

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UFC on ABC 7: Dern vs. Godinez picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

GODINEZ (+102) is worth a look as the slight underdog. The Team RVCA fighter Dern (-120) has dropped 2 straight fights and 4 of the past 6.

Godinez throws a few more significant strikes per minute, and she is a little more accurate. In addition, she has tremendous takedown average numbers, while Dern’s only slight advantage is in the submission department.

GODINEZ BY POINTS (+135) is a little better of a value in the Method of Victory department, too, as this fight is more than likely to go the distance.

Over/Under (O/U)

Yes (-215): Will the fight go the distance? will cost you more than 2 times your return. That’s way too much risk despite the tremendous frequency of going the distance for both of these fighters at the UFC level.

There is also no way to justify playing Over 2.5 Rounds (-260), which is even more expensive. Just focus on the 2-way line and method of victory.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

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Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC on ABC 7

Mackenzie Dern and Loopy Godinez both struggle to connect their games, but who will get the job done at UFC Abu Dhabi?

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 3-2
UFC main cards, 2024: 64-56-3

Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez UFC on ABC 7 preview

Despite her recent struggles, Dern (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) enters UFC on ABC 7 believing she can still be champion. If there’s any chance for that to happen, she must win Saturday after losing four of her past six bouts. Dern is coming off back-to-back losses to Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos. … Godinez (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) appeared to be inching oh so close to strawweight title contention as she was on a four-fight winning streak until losing a unanimous decision to Virna Jandiroba this past March.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez UFC on ABC 7 expert pick, prediction

Despite Dern being the more known and experienced product between the two of them, I’d argue that both ladies are still developing fighters.

Although there’s a lot to like about Godinez’s potential, she seems to be going through growing pains when it comes to connecting her game. The same can still be said for Dern, but there’s no denying the finishing upside she has over a decent majority of her peers.

Add in the fact that Dern appears to be back with well respected striking coach Jason Parillo, and I can’t help but be somewhat optimistic for the Brazilian in this spot.

It’s still a tight fight that I see having a high potential to go to decision, but I’ll semi-reluctantly side with Dern to edge out the scorecards for throwing with the kind of eye-catching power that (right or wrong) tends to catch the eyes of the judges.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez UFC on ABC 7 odds

Despite the oddsmakers technically opening the Mexican as the slight favorite, public money has come in on the Brazilian and flipped the line, listing Dern -130 and Godinez +106 via FanDuel.

Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez UFC on ABC 7 start time, how to watch

Dern and Godinez are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ABC and stream on ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Loopy Godinez: ‘I’m not afraid to go to the ground’ with Mackenzie Dern at UFC Abu Dhabi

Loopy Godinez welcomes Mackenzie Dern’s ground game at Saturday’s UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] arguably has the best jiu-jitsu in women’s MMA, yet, her opponent, [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag], is not fazed by it.

Saturday, a pivotal women’s strawweight bout goes down on the main card of UFC on ABC 7 with Godinez (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) clashing against Dern (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). Many look to avoid the ground and any type of grappling when it comes to fighting Dern, a decorated jiu-jitsu champion. However, Godinez is eager to put her own grappling to the test and welcomes the challenge.

“The truth is that I’m not afraid to go to the ground with her because I’ve also worked a ton on my jiu-jitsu, and also on stopping a jiu-jitsu fighter from doing their things,” Godinez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “That’s also very important – it’s not just about me doing jiu-jitsu. We’re focused on that a lot, and obviously our hands are always improving and that’s going to show. The truth is that I want to work my wrestling, but we’ll see how things go down.”

Both Godinez and Dern, although ranked names in the 115-pound division, are coming off losses and are looking to get back in their winning ways so they can make a run for the title. Dern is coming off a loss to Amanda Lemos and Godinez to Virna Jandiroba.

Despite their defeats, the Lobo Gym product is convinced she’ll enter back into title contention with a win on Saturday.

“Nobody likes to lose, obviously, but I just take it how it is – a lesson,” Godinez said. “I can just try to do things better this time around. This is not the first time I’ve lost, but it is more crucial because I’m high in the rankings. But it happened, and it signals I need to adjust things, and I think it’s better to find out now than later on when I’m more ahead.

“Again, a loss is never good, but if I do something big in my performance, you never know – maybe I just get one more, and then I’m fighting for the title. Someone can also get injured, and then I get a shot. This sport is just too unpredictable. All I can do is stay positive and keep moving forward.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

Ana Godinez going for wrestling gold in 2024 Olympics, plans to follow sister Loopy into UFC

There’s a Godinez sister in the UFC and in Paris for the Summer Olympics.

For as long as she can remember, [autotag]Ana Godinez[/autotag] wanted to be just like her sister, Loopy.

Two of four daughters in a family of Mexican immigrants in Western Canada, Ana and Loopy were inseparable despite the gap in age – Ana the youngest and Loopy the oldest.

“I used to just copy everything she did,” Ana recently told MMA Junkie. “I said I didn’t like mayonnaise because she didn’t like mayonnaise. Everything I did, I wanted to be like her. I looked up to her. She’s been a huge inspiration in my life – my whole life.”

Disdain for mayonnaise wasn’t the only influence Loopy had on her sister. One day when Ana was in high school, a family outing to support Loopy at a jiu-jitsu tournament changed her life forever.

“They were doing wrestling at the same tournament and she’s like, ‘You should try it. It’ll help your rugby and your tackles and whatever,’ Ana said. “So then, they had it at our school, so (our sister) Karla and I were like, ‘We should try it together.’ We tried it, and we both fell in love with it and started taking it seriously after a couple months.”

Image via Iridium Sports Agency

Ana was 16 at the time, and rugby was the passion she was most dedicated to. She was stuck to it like glue, but eventually the praise from her wrestling coaches got through. Coaches Frank Mensah, Jason Jahani, and Omid Farahani weren’t willing to let her talent go elsewhere.

“(Jahani) as like, ‘If you can get my leg, you can win the Olympics one day.’ So I worked with him every day, and one day I got his leg,” Godinez said. “He’s like, ‘You actually got my leg.’ I’m like, ‘You’re lying.’ He’s like, ‘I think you can go to the Olympics. If you can get my leg, you can win the Olympics.’ I’m like, ‘Whoa.’ That’s when I knew I was getting better. It just clicked.”

Olympic dreams

Earlier this year, the prophecy came one step closer when Godinez qualified for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Godinez is ranked No. 7 in women’s 62kg freestyle wrestling. Her first match will be Aug. 9.

Despite competing on the world’s biggest athletic stage, Godinez remains grounded.

“A lot of people feel lost after the Olympics because they’ve worked so hard and for so long to get to this one moment,” Godinez said. “They’re trying to make it define them, this one moment and this one performance. It’s really, really hard to be the best on this one day. You can be the best on another day, but it might not be the Olympic day. That’s why it’s so extraordinary to win the Olympics.

“It would mean so much to me to be the best on that day. I’ve been training to beat everyone in my weight on my worst day. That’s what I’m working toward. Because I know I can beat everyone in my weight on my best day. This is why I’m focused when I’m tired or on my period or sick or not feeling the greatest, but yet I still have to go out there and wrestle. I want to be able to beat the best girls in the world on my worst day.”

COVENTRY, ENGLAND – AUGUST 05: Sakshi Malik (blue) of Team India competes against Ana Godinez Gonzalez (red) of Team Canada during the Women’s Freestyle 62 kg Gold Medal match on day eight of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at on August 05, 2022 on the Coventry, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

A future in the UFC?

As Godinez excels in wrestling, she has no incentive to pivot elsewhere right now. However, that’s not to say MMA isn’t on the the road map. Godinez has helped her sister prepare for bouts in the past and has caught the MMA bug. It’s only a matter of time.

“I’ve definitely thought about it, and I’ve tried a little bit of it,” Godinez said. “I’ve gotten a little taste of it because of Loopy. I definitely like it, and I love learning. I think I already have the mindset for it, so I’ll definitely try it. I think it would be foolish for me not to try because it’s so easily available to me with my sister. That’s definitely something I’m looking into doing after I’m done wrestling. I don’t know when that’ll be, but I’ll definitely try it at least.”

Whether it’s through the Olympics or a crossover mixed martial arts, Godinez has another underlying goal: to elevate women’s wrestling in Canada. There’s no gold medal or belt associated with that accomplishment, but it might be even more fulfilling.

“I feel like the more we win, the more it’ll get promoted,” Godinez said. “I’m trying to do it. But I see there are a lot of girls coming up in Canada, doing better internationally. I feel like we’re going to follow the steps of the U.S. and expose wrestling to more schools and more girls. I really hope it does, because it’s such a great sport.”

Dana White announces Nick Diaz, Tony Ferguson return fights at UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi

MMA legends Nick Diaz and Tony Ferguson will make their returns to the UFC this summer in the Middle East.

Legendary fan favorites [autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] and [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] will be stepping into the octagon once again.

On Wednesday morning, UFC CEO Dana White announced the return fights for the two MMA veterans, which will happen Aug. 3 at UFC on ABC 7 from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Diaz will take on [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] in a five-round co-main event, and while Ferguson matches up with [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag] on the main card. Both fights will take place at welterweight.

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Diaz, older brother of Nate Diaz, hasn’t fought since losing to Robbie Lawler in 2021. That was also his first fight in six years. Diaz is now 40 and winless in his past four UFC bouts. His last win came against B.J. Penn in 2011 at UFC 237.

Luque is also looking to break out of a bad spell. He’s 1-3 in his past four performances, with his most recent a TKO loss to Joaquin Buckley in March.

Ferguson, like Diaz also 40, is hoping to snap a seven-fight losing streak when he meets Chiesa. White didn’t say this would be Ferguson’s retirement fight but did state this “could be” Ferguson’s final fight. Ferguson last fought in December when he lost a unanimous decision to Paddy Pimblett.

Additionally, a UFC women’s strawweight bout between [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] was also announced.

Below is the updated card for UFC on ABC 7:

  • Cory Sandhagen vs. Umar Nurmagomedov
  • Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Tony Ferguson
  • Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Marlon Vera
  • Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez
  • Alonzo Menifield vs. Azamat Murzakanov

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ABC 7.

UFC on ESPN 54 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Program total passes $24.5 million

UFC on ESPN 54 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 54 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $173,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 54 took place at Boardwalk Hall. The main card aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 54 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Nursulton Ruziboev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Sedriques Dumas[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Kyle Nelson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Bill Algeo[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Chidi Njokuani[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Rhys McKee[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Nate Landwehr[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jamall Emmers[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Virna Jandiroba[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Julio Arce[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Herbert Burns[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Dennis Buzukja[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Connor Matthews[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Anton Turkalj[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Jacob Malkoun[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Andre Petroski[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Angel Pacheco[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,540; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $54,000 while title challengers get $54,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-54 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $1,842,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $24,579,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 54.

UFC on ESPN 54 play-by-play, live results

Check out live play-by-play and official results from UFC on ESPN 54 in Atlantic City.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – UFC on ESPN 54 took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie live play-by-play and official results. UFC on ESPN 54 (ESPN/ESPN+) took place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

In the main event, Erin Blanchfield (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) took on Manon Fiorot (12-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in a likely women’s flyweight title eliminator. Joaquin Buckley (18-6 MMA, 8-4 UFC) took on Vicente Luque (22-10-1 MMA, 15-6 UFC) in the welterweight co-feature, and former middleweight champion Chris Weidman (16-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) returned against Bruno Silva (23-11 MMA, 4-5 UFC).

Below, you can check out the results and play-by-play from UFC on ESPN 54.

UFC on ESPN 54 results: Virna Jandiroba halts Loopy Godinez’s strawweight streak

Virna Jandiroba once again played spoiler at UFC on ESPN 54, this time ending Loopy Godinez’s winning streak.

[autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] had all the momentum coming into UFC on ESPN 54, but [autotag]Virna Jandiroba[/autotag] once again played spoiler.

Former Invicta FC champ Jandiroba (20-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) did what she does best, bringing a 15-minute fight into her style and pace against Godinez (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC). As a result, she was awarded the unanimous decision by scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 in the strawweight bout at Boardwalk Hall.

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The fight was heavy on grappling. In the first round, Godinez landed a few solid strikes but spent most of the frame fending off the grappling advances of her opponent. Then, in the second, Godinez spent the majority of the stanza attacked for a leg lock, but Jandiroba patiently defended to escape a tricky round to score.

With either fighter having the chance to make a big impression in the third and final round, it remained competitive. Both women landed some strikes that lacked significant power, but then tied up in a late-round grappling exchange that saw Jandiroba take the back and attack with a rear-naked choke. She couldn’t finish it, but it was the positional statement that she needed for the win.

Jandiroba’s winning streak now hits three fights and includes Godinez, Marina Rodriguez and Angela Hill. Godinez, meanwhile, suffers her first defeat at 115 pounds since April 2021 after winning her past six.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 54 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 54.

Virna Jandiroba def. Loopy Godinez at UFC on ESPN 54: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Virna Jandiroba’s unanimous decision win over Loopy Godinez at UFC on ESPN 54.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Virna Jandiroba[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 54 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. (Fight and venue photos by Ed Mulholland, USA Today Sports)

UFC on ESPN 54 official weigh-in results: Fighter somehow gains weight between attempts, misses mark

The UFC on ESPN 54 weigh-ins ended oddly as Julio Arce somehow gained 0.25 pounds between attempts and his team was scratching their heads.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Ahead of Saturday’s fights at Boardwalk Hall, the 28 fighters involved in UFC on ESPN 54 hit the scales at the host hotel. One missed weight.

Atop the event, which airs on ESPN/ESPN+, is a pivotal women’s flyweight main event between top contenders [autotag]Erin Blanchfield[/autotag] (12-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

In the co-main event, welterweight standouts [autotag]Vicente Luque[/autotag] (22-9-1 MMA, 15-5 UFC) and [autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] (17-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC) collide. Also on the card, former UFC middleweight champion [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) attempts to reenter the win column against [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag] (23-10 MMA, 4-4 UFC).

All of those fighters made weight, but one from the prelims. [autotag]Julio Arce[/autotag] missed the featherweight limit after previously missing at bantamweight in April 2022. He was given two attempts and gained 0.25 pounds between attempts.

Arce’s re-weigh was the last weigh-in of the day. A different New Jersey State Athletic Commission (NJSAC) representative than who weighed in the other 27 fighters and Arce’s first attempt, weighed in Arce the second time. This caused further frustration and disbelief from Arce’s team, who said they had weighed 146 on their own scale. Arce was fined 20 percent of his purse and the fight will continue as scheduled.

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Check out the full UFC on ESPN 54 weigh-ins results below:

MAIN CARD (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Erin Blanchfield (125) vs. Manon Fiorot (125.25)
  • Joaquin Buckley (170) vs. Vicente Luque (170)
  • Bruno Silva (186) vs. Chris Weidman (186)
  • Sedriques Dumas (185) vs. Nursulton Ruziboev (185)
  • Bill Algeo (146) vs. Kyle Nelson (145)
  • Rhys McKee (170.25) vs. Chidi Njokuani (170)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Nate Landwehr (145.25) vs. Jamall Emmers (145)
  • Loopy Godinez (115) vs. Virna Jandiroba (115)
  • Julio Arce (147)* vs. Herbert Burns (145)
  • Dennis Buzukja (145.25) vs. Connor Matthews (145)
  • Ibo Aslan (205) vs. Anton Turkalj (205)
  • Viktoriia Dudakova (125) vs. Melissa Gatto (125)
  • Jacob Malkoun (185) vs. Andre Petroski (186)
  • Caolan Loughran (135) vs. Angel Pacheco (135)

* Arce missed featherweight limit by 1 pound; 20 percent fine

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 54.