UFC Abu Dhabi delivered an incredible main card on Saturday, featuring a highly anticipated women’s strawweight showdown between Mackenzie Dern and ranked #10 contender Loopy Godinez. The event, which took place at the Etihad Arena, was an evening filled with intense fights and jaw-dropping performances. However, one particular moment during the Dern vs. Godinez fight caught the attention of fans and sparked a heated debate.
In the third round of the fight, Dern, who had not stepped into the octagon this year, secured a hard-fought victory against Godinez. From the very beginning, it was evident that this was going to be a grueling match. Dern came out strong, landing early strikes while Godinez focused on her defense, keeping her guard high.
As the fight progressed, Dern’s superior grappling skills and ground game started to show. She was able to take Godinez down and control her on the mat, earning points and wearing her opponent down. However, it was not an easy victory for Dern, as Godinez put up a tough fight and refused to go down without a fight.
But what caught the attention of fans and sparked a debate was not the fight itself, but the commentary by UFC commentator and former champion, Daniel Cormier. During the fight, Cormier made a comment about Dern’s striking, stating that she was “making a mistake” by not utilizing her striking more.
This comment did not sit well with fans, who felt that Cormier was being biased towards Dern. Many fans took to social media to express their frustration, with some even calling out Cormier’s bias on live TV. They argued that Dern was doing an excellent job with her grappling and that her striking was not necessary in this fight. They also pointed out that Godinez’s strong defense made it difficult for Dern to land clean strikes.
The debate continued even after the fight, with some fans accusing Cormier of being biased towards certain fighters. However, others defended Cormier, stating that he was simply doing his job as a commentator and giving his expert analysis of the fight.
Despite the controversy surrounding Cormier’s comment, there is no denying that Dern put on an impressive performance. This was her first fight of the year, and she showed no signs of ring rust. She displayed her elite ground game and proved that she is a force to be reckoned with in the strawweight division.
On the other hand, Godinez also deserves credit for her performance. Despite being the underdog, she put up a tough fight and showed that she is a skilled and resilient fighter. She may have lost the fight, but she gained the respect and admiration of fans for her determination and heart.
In the end, it was a well-deserved victory for Dern, who now improves her record to 12-1. This win also puts her in a good position in the strawweight rankings and opens up the possibility of facing higher-ranked opponents in the future.
The UFC Abu Dhabi main card also featured other exciting fights, including a featherweight bout between Edson Barboza and Giga Chikadze. Barboza put on a striking clinic, earning a unanimous decision victory and proving that he is still a top contender in the division.
In the co-main event, Amanda Ribas bounced back from her first career loss with a dominant performance against Virna Jandiroba. She utilized her superior striking and grappling skills to secure a unanimous decision victory and re-establish herself as a rising star in the strawweight division.
Overall, UFC Abu Dhabi was a night filled with thrilling fights and unforgettable moments. The event showcased the talent and skills of some of the best fighters in the world and left fans wanting more. Despite the controversy surrounding Cormier’s comment, it should not overshadow the incredible performances of Dern, Godinez, and all the other fighters who stepped into the octagon that night.
In the end, it was a great night for UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts. It was a reminder of why we love this sport and the dedication and hard work that goes into every fight. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these talented fighters and the UFC.
