Women’s strawweight action saw Tabatha Ricci throw down with Mexican-Canadian Loopy Godinez at past of the UFC 295 televised prelims on Saturday.
The match-up saw both fighters looking to work their way up the divisional rankings, with Ricci already in the #10 spot, and Godinez at #13.
With the fight underway, it was Godinez holding center, until Ricci found an opening, closed the distance, and looked to take the fight to the mat. Godinez, however, was able to fight off that attempt, with Ricci moving back to the outside, circling. Godinez, meanwhile, connected with her left hand, timing the Brazilian and eventually knocking down ever so briefly.
Towards the very end of a very successful round for Godinez, however, Tabatha Ricci found her mark, wobbling the former LFA champ momentarily.
Both fighters appeared to have recovered to start the second round. Godinez again held center, pressing forward while Ricci stayed lateral on the outside, mixing in some leg kicks. The fight got a little scrappier as the round wore on, with a number of exchanges seeing both fighters land. Again, at the end of the round, Ricci turned things up a notch, dropping (though it may have been more of a shove) Loopy Godinez to her back.
Round three found the back-and-forth battle continue, with Godinez in theory having the edge in striking. Her left hand continued to find its mark, while Ricci worked in leg kicks which were more times than not her most effective women. Late in the round, inside the final minute, Godinez shot in on a single leg takedown attempt, but Ricci fought that off. Instead they’d swing to the final bell, and in this round, there was no late surge from Tabatha Ricci.
Picking up a split decision win on the scorecards, Godinez, who already holds the UFC records for fastest turnaround in modern history and shortest time between three fights, set another promotional mark. She became the first woman in promotion history to win four fights in a year.
Official Result: Loopy Godinez def. Tabatha Ricci by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
