Loopy Godinez

Lupita "Loopy" Godínez (born September 6, 1993) is a Mexican-Canadian professional mixed martial artist, she currently competes in the Strawweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. As of January 23, 2024, she is #10 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.

Background
At the age of 14, Godínez's father Carlos was approached by the cartel who demanded protection money. After he found a lot full of bullet-riddled cars and shattered windows, and answered phone calls with voices telling him his daughters’ names and schools, Carlos decided to take his family and leave. Telling his family that they were leaving for Disneyland, instead they landed in Vancouver, where they had to start from scratch. They lived out of a hotel for six months, and did odd jobs such as washing cars to pay the bills. After life stabilized, Godínez was encouraged by her boyfriend to get back into judo that she had done since childhood, and then into jiu-jitsu. She is a dual citizen of Mexico and Canada.

Godínez has three younger sisters, of whom two – Karla and Ana – are accomplished wrestlers competing with the Canadian national team.

Early career
Godínez began her MMA career as an amateur in 2016. Her debut match was held on June 18, 2016, and it was against Ali Cranmer. She won the match via decision. In her following bouts, she lost against Jamey-Lyn Horth Wessels on two different occasions, on November 25, 2016, and February 18, 2017, respectively.

Despite two straight losses, she bounced back and won her next two bouts against Ashlee Jarvis and Kyla Frajman. Her winning streak was stopped once again when she faced Tiffany Conama and Morgan Engelhardt, respectively.

In her next two matches, she showed what she could as she defeated Alexandra Lucia Delgado-Lopez and Sam Hughes. When she won against Sam Hughes, she also captured the COGA Strawweight Championship. After that, she decided to turn professional.

On June 30, 2018, Godínez made her professional MMA debut when she faced Jennah Macallister—she won the bout via a unanimous decision. She went on to defeat both Ashlee Mastin and Felisha Magallan in 2019.

Godinez managed to capture the vacant BTC Strawweight Championship defeating Lindsay Garbatt at BTC 8 on November 30, 2019. In the next bout at LFA 94, Godinez captured the LFA Women's Strawweight Championship, defeating Vanessa Demopoulos via majority decision.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
Godínez, as a replacement for Hannah Goldy faced Jessica Penne UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum on April 17, 2021. Godinez lost the close bout via split decision. 11 out of 17 media scores gave it to Godínez.

Godínez, as a replacement for Stephanie Egger, was expected to face Sarah Alpar on May 22, 2021, on UFC Fight Night: Font vs. Garbrandt. The bout was scrapped completely a day later as Godínez wasn't able to get her visa in time.

Godínez was expected to face Sam Hughes on October 8, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Rodriguez. However, Hughes was pulled from the bout after testing positive for COVID-19 and was replaced by promotional newcomer Silvana Gómez Juárez. She won the bout via armbar in the first round. This fight earned her the Performance of the Night award.

On a one-week turnaround, Godínez, as a replacement for Sijara Eubanks, faced Luana Carolina on October 16, 2021, at UFC Fight Night: Ladd vs. Dumont. With this bout, she earned the record for the fastest turnaround in modern UFC history at just seven days. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Godínez, replacing Cheyanne Buys, faced Loma Lookboonmee on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198. She won the bout via unanimous decision.

Godínez faced Ariane Carnelossi on May 7, 2022, at UFC 274. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Godínez faced Angela Hill on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Godinez faced Cynthia Calvillo on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. She won the close bout via split decision.

Godinez faced Emily Ducote, replacing Polyana Viana, on April 29, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 223. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

Godinez faced Elise Reed on September 16, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 227. She won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in round two. This win earned her the Performance of the Night award.

Godinez faced Tabatha Ricci on November 11, 2023, at UFC 295. She won by split decision and became the first woman to win 4 fights in the UFC in a calendar year.

Godinez faced Virna Jandiroba on March 30, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 54. She lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Godinez is scheduled to face Mackenzie Dern on August 3, 2024, at UFC on ABC 7.

Championships and achievements

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (Two times) vs. Silvana Gómez Juárez and Elise Reed
 * Record for fastest turnaround in Modern UFC history (7 days)
 * Record for shortest span between three fights in Modern UFC history (42 days)
 * Tied (Carla Esparza, Tatiana Suarez & Yan Xiaonan) for the second longest win streak in UFC Women's Strawweight division history (6)
 * First and only woman to win four fights in a calendar year in UFC history
 * Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA)
 * LFA Women's Strawweight Champion (one time; former)
 * BTC Fight Promotions
 * BTC Strawweight Championship (One time)