Preview: UFC Fight Night 198 Prelims

Women’s Strawweights

NR | Lupita Godinez (6-2, 1-2 UFC) vs. NR | Konklak Suphisara (6-2, 3-1 UFC)

ODDS: Godinez (-165), Suphisara (+145)

For the third time in six weeks, Godinez steps inside the Octagon. Godinez was a solid pickup for the UFC earlier this year, as the Mexican-Canadian has a stout pressure game built around some impressive physical strength and easily could have won what turned out to be a split decision loss to Jessica Penne in her UFC debut. Godinez picked up her first UFC win in October, quickly tapping Silvana Gomez Juarez and then made a surprising seven-day turnaround, stepping in—up a division—to take on Luana Carolina. Like in the Penne fight, Godinez did enough against Carolina to get the win but saw the scorecards go against her. Apparently, the sting of the loss is not going to settle in for long, as Godinez makes yet another short-notice turnaround to take on Suphisara. The UFC’s first fighter out of Thailand, Suphisara came to mixed martial arts after a decorated muay Thai career and has impressed thus far. She has obviously had to do a lot of catching up to round out her skills around that muay Thai game, but Suphisara has proven to be a quick study in terms of shoring up her wrestling; and when she gets an opportunity to work with an opponent in the clinch, it is beautiful to watch. Suphisara may not have the highest ceiling, however, thanks in part to the fact that she is a natural atomweight who will often be at a strength and size disadvantage. It is a big actor here. While Suphisara and Godinez have similar-sized frames, the latter is the much stronger fighter and been able to physically hold her own as a flyweight. Even so, this will not be an easy fight for Godinez, who will have to charge into close quarters against an opponent who can cause a ton of damage when given the opportunity. Still, the bet is that Godinez can overpower Suphisara as needed and dictate the terms of any wrestling exchanges, if she does not just slam her outright. The pick is Godinez via decision.

Continue Reading » Ziam vs. McKinney