Photo via Yahoo Sports

Ketlen Souza sees UFC Vegas 122 vs. Loopy Godinez as 'very important fight'

Ketlen Souza enters UFC Fight Night 290 at Meta APEX in Las Vegas with a clear focus on securing a top-15 ranking in the women’s strawweight division. The Brazilian fighter, who holds a career record of 17-6 (4-3 in UFC), faces ranked contender Loopy Godinez (14-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) in what Souza calls a pivotal matchup.

Souza anticipates Godinez will prioritize wrestling over striking, leveraging her own reputation for powerful punches to counter the move. This will be Souza’s first fight against a top-10-ranked opponent, and she views a victory as a stepping stone toward a potential title shot in 2027.

The bout, scheduled for Saturday on Paramount+, marks a defining moment in Souza’s career as she aims to finish the year in a strong position for future title contention.

Up nextMMA· 21m ago

UFC Vegas 122's Andre Fili explains what sets him apart from other aging veterans