Luana Carolina stuffed Lupita Godinez’s attempt at history at UFC Vegas 40, edging her out by a close decision.
There’s badass, and then there’s what Lupita Godinez was attempting to do at UFC Vegas 40.
Having fought just one week ago at UFC Vegas 39, “Loopy” Godinez, a Mexican-born fighter training in Canada, was making a record seven-day turnaround against Luana Carolina. Up a weight class.
Win or lose, Godinez was suddenly all over everyone’s radar just for attempting it. But she also had a shot at the shortest time between wins in UFC history, discounting the tournament era.
Godinez’s strategy was clear from the jump, running across the cage to get the takedown. Carolina did a good job initially of defending the takedown and landed a nice knee in the process. However on a second push, Godinez was able to complete a big takedown. Carolina did her best to scramble out but that just led to Godinez getting side control. Godinez then went for a kimura before the transition to an armbar attempt; luckily for Carolina, the round ended seconds later.
Round two featured a similar strategy from Godinez again, as she attempted to get her opponent to the ground for the majority of the round. However all her effort came to no avail. Carolina out-muscled the smaller Godinez and did a good job of fighting her fight, keeping the fight at range and finding a home for her jab, while evading most of Godinez’s looping strikes. Godinez got a takedown near the end of the frame but Carolina sprung right back up to end the round on her terms.
Godinez came out and blitzed Carolina to start round three, landing a nice combination before pressing Carolina to the fence and looking for the takedown. Carolina peeled her off and got the fight back to the range where she tried to work, but once again Godinez blitzed into the clinch and was able to get Carolina’s back. Carolina once again peeled her off and broke away, landing a left hook on the way out. Carolina went for a head kick that Godinez ducked under and Godinez shot again for but couldn’t land it. The fight ended with Carolina stuffing yet another takedown attempt.
Official Result: Luana Carolina def. Lupita Godinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
