Loopy Godinez not only secured a significant victory at UFC Mexico but also, fortunately, maintained her dignity.
A clip from Godinez`s fight against Julia Polastri quickly went viral last Saturday when the strawweight contender made a distressed plea to her corner between rounds, informing them that she was experiencing severe indigestion and was in danger of an “accident” right in the octagon.
Ultimately, Godinez, ranked No. 11 in the MMA Fighting global rankings at 115 pounds, composed herself and endured a wild third round to secure a unanimous decision victory and break a two-fight losing streak.
Both athletes received much praise for the exciting contest, and Godinez is simply grateful she was able to enter and exit the cage without incident.
“I think I was getting sick on Friday, I had chills, but I thought I was just cold because my body fat was really low, and I was losing weight,” Godinez said. “I didn`t say anything. I told my coach, he also thought it was just because of the low body fat. The weigh-ins happened, the official weigh-ins, and then I just started drinking water, but I started having diarrhea or something, and it continued all night, it happened, and then right before going into the cage again.”
“I think between rounds I felt it again and thought, `Oh, shit.`”
Godinez, originally from Mexico but fighting out of Canada, hopes to compete at UFC 320, which will take place in Guadalajara on September 13. She joked that she has a plan in case gastrointestinal issues resurface.
“Maybe next time if I feel anything like this, I could wear a diaper,” Godinez said. “Maybe that will help.”
Currently, Godinez is happy to be back on the winning track after losses to top contenders Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba. She notes that mental resilience was a key factor that allowed her to get through the fight with Polastri and avoid the most embarrassing moment of her career.
“I tried not to think about it before the fight,” Godinez said. “Even if I was feeling something—because the more you think about it, the more you sabotage yourself. So, I just thought, `Okay, I`ll be fine, not everyone entering the cage is 100 percent.` I just pulled myself together and hoped for the best, and I felt it between rounds.”
“Fortunately, nothing serious happened. I felt it, I said it, and now it`s out there, and yeah.”
For newer fans who have just joined us, yes, several fighters have lost control of their bowels during a fight before. Justine Kish in her loss to Felice Herrig is just one example that comes to mind (and I really wish it didn`t), Tim Sylvia is another.
Any such “accident” is grounds for disqualification, but I don`t think I`ve ever seen such a decision actually made.
You know what, let`s not talk about this anymore.
Wesley Dunham