UFC on ABC 7 results: Mackenzie Dern returns to win column with decision over Loopy Godinez

Mackenzie Dern is back in the winner's circle after picking up a unanimous decision over Loopy Godinez at UFC on ABC 7 in Abu Dhabi.

Mackenzie Dern is back on the winning track.

On the main card of UFC on ABC 7, Dern (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) faced Loopy Godinez in a strawweight battle at Etihad Arena in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The fight went the full 15 minutes, and Dern would see her hand raised with unanimous 29-28 scores over Godinez (12-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC).

Both fighters were willing to engage on the feet early in Round 1, but it was only a matter of time before Dern attempted to get the fight to the ground. Godinez showed off solid takedown defense in the scrambles initially, but Dern executed a beautiful toss to the mat, straight into full mount with under two minutes to go.

Dern went for an armbar, putting Godinez in real trouble. While Godinez focused on securing her arm, Dern landed a few hammerfists from the bottom, adding damage before the round ended.

Dern and Godinez traded punches on the feet for nearly all of Round 2, resulting in damage to the faces of both strawweights. With less than a minute to go, Godinez shot in for a takedown. The result was a standing clinch against the cage, with Godinez holding on to a standing arm triangle until the horn.

The close fight continued into Round 3, and Dern returned to her grappling game after a few exchanges on the feet. She took Godinez to the mat and tried to secure top position, but Dern could not keep the fight on the ground for long.

Striking exchanges continued on the feet, with both having success in spots until the fight concluded, but Dern’s improvement in the striking game was apparent.

She adds another one to the resume @MackenzieDern secures the UD at #UFCAbuDhabi #InAbuDhabi | @InAbuDhabi | @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/KuqlGg06Xg

— UFC (@ufc) August 3, 2024

All three judges scored the fight the same, giving Dern her first win since a unanimous decision over Angela Hill last May. The result halted a two-fight skid for Dern, who entered after losses to Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos.

On the other side, it’s Godinez who has now lost two straight. After a split decision win over Tabatha Ricci in November, Godinez dropped a unanimous result to Virna Jandiroba in March.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ABC 7 results include:

• Mackenzie Dern def. Loopy Godinez via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Joel Alvarez def. Elves Brener via TKO (knees) – Round 3, 3:36
• Azamat Murzakanov def. Alonzo Menifield via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 3:18
• Kaue Fernandes def. Mohammad Yahya via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:45
• Shamil Gaziev def. Don’Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Guram Kutateladze def. Jordan Vucenic via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Sam Hughes def. Viktoriia Dudakova via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jai Herbert def. Rolando Bedoya via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Sedriques Dumas def. Denis Tiuliulin via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

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