Loopy Godinez happy with career progression, targets spot in rankings in 2022

Loopy Godinez will hit a career milestone Saturday with her 10th pro fight.

The UFC strawweight takes on Ariane Carnelossi on the preliminary card of UFC 274 in Phoenix. Godinez (7-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) has been competing professionally for four years, including the past year under the UFC banner.

The 28-year-old knows there’s a lot more to go, but she’s aware of the progress she’s made in little time.

“The truth is that I am happy (with my career progression),” Godinez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “The truth is that I try not to look too ahead or look back. This is the journey and what’s happening and I need to accept it. I think that we’re doing a good job, my team and I. So I think we’re on a good path.”

In her first nine fights, Godinez won the LFA strawweight title, got a contract with the UFC, and now finds herself in her fifth fight in the promotion in just a little more than a year. She also has the record for shortest span in between three fights in modern UFC history at 42 days.

It’s no secret Godinez like to stay busy and is open to taking short-notice fights across multiple weight classes. However, the Mexican fighter does have aspirations beyond a busy calendar.

“This year, I would like to enter the top 10, top 15  – depending on what fights I get, obviously.” Godinez said. “We need to see where I’m at after this fight and then I can make a more detailed plan.”

Ultimately, Godinez would like to one day make a run for the title, but she wants to keep focused on the fight at hand and achieve a spot in the rankings in 2022.

“I haven’t focused on (the belt), even though I know that’s the goal,” Godinez said. “I have this fight in front of me and I try not to get ahead of myself because I get very focused and intense on the task at hand. Maybe after this fight, I’ll think about that a little more and speak to the manager and see what the best route is to get there.”