Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Farah Hannoun and Danny Segura

UFC on ESPN 64: Loopy Godinez expects experience, level of opposition to play a factor vs. Julia Polastri

MEXICO CITY – Loopy Godinez is determined to rebound at UFC on ESPN 64.

Godinez (12-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) meets Julia Polastri (13-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) in a strawweight bout on Saturday’s prelims (ESPN2, ESPN+) at Arena CDMX in Mexico City.

Polastri, who like Godinez is a former LFA champion, has far less octagon experience. The Mexican fighter is ready to prove why that matters.

“Obviously, I’m expecting the best version of herself,” Godinez told MMA Junkie at Wednesday’s media day. “She’s well-rounded, she has a good clinch, good kicks – but I feel like my level and the girls I’ve been facing are at a higher level. I feel like it’s going to show.”

After notching four wins in 2023, Godinez will look to snap a two-fight losing skid, which came against top contenders Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba in 2024.

“I see everything I did wrong and everything I did good, and then from there I kind of just like change things and add things, take things away,” Godinez said. “This training camp, I changed a lot of stuff, and I feel like I improved a lot, and losing – I take it as a big learning experience.”

With a win, Godinez hopes to return to matchups against top contenders in the division.

“I feel like a win this Saturday will give me a ranked opponent,” Godinez said. “But honestly, I’m just thinking about this Saturday. I’m not really thinking ahead of myself or anything like that.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 64.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.