LAS VEGAS – Loopy Godinez had a solid plan in place for her career going forward. Then the phone rang.
Godinez (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) intended to relocate her next training camp to Mexico to join UFC strawweight champion Alexa Grasso at Lobo Gym in Guadalajara after a recent split decision win over Cynthia Calvillo at UFC 287 in April, but then the situation changed.
She was presented with the opportunity to fight Emily Ducote (12-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in the featured bout of Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 224 event, which takes place at the UFC Apex and streams on ESPN+, and couldn’t turn it down.
“I wasn’t planning on fighting too soon because my next camp I wanted to do it in Mexico with Team Grasso,” Godinez told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 224 media day. “So I was like, ‘OK, Lupita, let’s do a full camp with a new team and a new coach and everything and go from there.’ But this opportunity comes, and I love fighting and I was training already so hard. I just had a three-month camp and had a week off and was right back to training super hard.”
Godinez is no stranger to quick turnarounds. She holds the modern-era record for shortest time between three UFC appearances at 42 days, fighting on Oct. 9, Oct. 16 and Nov. 20 of 2021.
The active schedule is welcomed for Godinez, and she thinks there’s a good chance of getting her hand raised for the fourth time in her past five tries in the clash with Ducote.
“I’m ready for anything. Of course I’m looking for a finish and a better performance on my part,” Godinez said. “I’m just here and going to get in there and do my job and finish her.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
Loopy Godinez put joining Alexa Grasso’s team on pause for short-notice UFC Fight Night 224 bout
