Loopy Godinez feels the UFC women’s strawweight title is well within reach.
Godinez (14-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC), a top contender at 115 pounds, is convinced she’ll soon be in title talks should things go her way against former UFC title challenger Tatiana Suarez at UFC 327 on April 11 in Miami. The Mexican fighter can see herself challenging for the belt with a win or, at worst, in a title elimination bout.
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“Winning this fight on April 11, I think I could get the next shot,” Godinez told Hablemos MMA in Spanish.
Out of the top contenders in the division, only two have yet to receive a crack at the belt – Godinez and Gillian Robertson. Should the promotion need another performance beyond a win over Suarez, Godinez can see herself crossing paths with Robertson.
“She’s finished a lot of her fights, I wouldn’t be surprised if they paired us up and the winner goes for the belt,” Godinez said.
Godinez is currently on a two-fight winning streak, defeating Julia Polastri and former champion Jessica Andrade in unanimous decisions. Her most recent defeat came in August 2024, losing to Mackenzie Dern, who went on to become champion.
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Godinez is happy to see a former foe she had a competitive bout with reach the top of the division.
“She’s been at it for a while, and her time came,” Godinez said. “I’m happy for her. … I fought her already. I felt her. I don’t know if we’ll fight again in the future. It all depends on what decisions she makes, but yeah, I’m very happy for her and happy that the division is moving around. It spices things up a bit.”
Time will tell if Godinez’s shot at the belt would come against Dern. If the rematch does materialize next, Godinez feels it would be a different story.
“It would go very differently,” Godinez explained. “I’ve evolved in so many ways: my wrestling, I’ve invested so much time in my striking and my kickboxing. It’s improved a lot, and that’s something I want to show on April 11. I think come April 11, people will be talking about how much I’ve evolved and improved. It excites me.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 327: Loopy Godinez expects title shot or eliminator bout with win
