Former UFC women’s strawweight champ Jessica Andrade looked to get back on track against Mexican-Canadian standout Loopy Godinez at UFC 319 in Chicago.
Andrade had fallen to Canada’s Jasmine Jasudavicius at UFC 315 in May, he second consecutive defeat, one that dropped her recent record to 2-5. Godinez had picked up a win over Julia Polastri in March to snap her own two-fight skid.
The fight saw Jessica Andrade returning to 115lbs for the first time since UFC 300.
Early in the fight, Andrade was happy to walk Loopy down, and ate several strikes for her efforts. The sheer disrespect for Godinez’s power was a gamble; Godinez, meanwhile, mixed in leg kicks and got her jab going. The round played out on the feet, both women having their moments.
In the second, the fight went to the ground, Loopy getting some time on top, Andrade forcing her was back to her feet. Back in the standup, Loopy fired her left hand, more than once, and was having success with it. As the frame wore on, Andrade found a home for her right, backing Godinez up. Andrade went to the body, and landed a low kick of her own. Despite it being an area where she’d likely have the edge again, Godinez appeared to have pushed off thoughts of a takedown until the final 30 seconds. Then, she shot in, explosively, but Andrade was able to fight it off and stay standing, back against the fence.
Andrade opened round three winging hooks from her hips, left and right, then stuffed another takedown attempt. As she had throughout the fight, Andrade continued to walk Godinez down. No successful takedowns in the fifth round, just a scrappy standup battle with both women landing. Godinez in the final minute trailed a combination with a knee that appeared to connect. The pair traded right to the horn when Godinez landed a takedown that likely wouldn’t count, coming as late as it did.
The judges scored it for Loopy Godinez after three rounds, in what was an action-packed, close scrap.
Official Result: Loopy Godinez def. Jessica Andrade by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
