[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] and [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC on ABC 7 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
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Despite her recent struggles, Dern (13-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) enters UFC on ABC 7 believing she can still be champion. If there’s any chance for that to happen, she must win Saturday after losing four of her past six bouts. Dern is coming off back-to-back losses to Jessica Andrade and Amanda Lemos. … Godinez (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) appeared to be inching oh so close to strawweight title contention as she was on a four-fight winning streak until losing a unanimous decision to Virna Jandiroba this past March.
Despite Dern being the more known and experienced product between the two of them, I’d argue that both ladies are still developing fighters.
Although there’s a lot to like about Godinez’s potential, she seems to be going through growing pains when it comes to connecting her game. The same can still be said for Dern, but there’s no denying the finishing upside she has over a decent majority of her peers.
Add in the fact that Dern appears to be back with well respected striking coach Jason Parillo, and I can’t help but be somewhat optimistic for the Brazilian in this spot.
It’s still a tight fight that I see having a high potential to go to decision, but I’ll semi-reluctantly side with Dern to edge out the scorecards for throwing with the kind of eye-catching power that (right or wrong) tends to catch the eyes of the judges.
Despite the oddsmakers technically opening the Mexican as the slight favorite, public money has come in on the Brazilian and flipped the line, listing Dern -130 and Godinez +106 via FanDuel.
Dern and Godinez are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 3:30 p.m. ET. The fight will air on ABC and stream on ESPN+.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkies event hub for UFC on ABC 7.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Mackenzie Dern vs. Loopy Godinez prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC on ABC 7