UFC's Tatiana Suarez Focused on Title Shot After Overcoming Injuries

The strawweight contender is eyeing a rematch with champion Mackenzie Dern after her fight against Loopy Godinez.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, vibrant colors depicting the dynamic movements and physical clash of a UFC strawweight fight, without any identifiable figures or text.A cubist interpretation of the upcoming UFC strawweight clash between Tatiana Suarez and Loopy Godinez, capturing the raw physicality and competitive energy of their matchup.Huntington Beach Today

Tatiana Suarez, a former UFC title challenger, is looking to earn another shot at the strawweight championship after overcoming a series of injuries, including thyroid cancer and major knee and neck surgeries. Suarez is set to face Loopy Godinez at UFC 327 in Miami, and if victorious, she has her sights set on a rematch with current champion Mackenzie Dern.

Why it matters

Suarez's journey back to title contention after facing significant health challenges showcases her resilience and determination. A win over Godinez could propel her to another title shot, potentially setting up an intriguing matchup with Dern, who has held the title since October 2025.

The details

Suarez (12-1) earned her UFC contract after winning 'The Ultimate Fighter' reality show in 2016 and went on a 7-0 run in the promotion before losing to Weili Zhang in February 2025. She's coming off a unanimous decision victory over Amanda Lemos in September 2025. Godinez (14-5) has rebounded from losses to Virna Jandiroba and Dern with wins over Julia Polastri and former champion Jessica Andrade.

  • Suarez lost to Zhang at UFC 312 in Sydney in February 2025.
  • Suarez defeated Lemos in September 2025.
  • Suarez is set to face Godinez at UFC 327 in Miami on April 12, 2026.

The players

Tatiana Suarez

A 35-year-old strawweight contender who has overcome thyroid cancer and major injuries to earn another UFC title shot.

Mackenzie Dern

The current UFC strawweight champion, who has held the title since October 2025.

Loopy Godinez

A 32-year-old strawweight contender who has rebounded from losses to Virna Jandiroba and Dern with wins over Julia Polastri and Jessica Andrade.

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What they’re saying

“I'm about to be like, 'Mackenzie, when I take you down, you're not gonna hit me more than I hit you. So you have another thing coming. You ain't gonna outstrike me on the ground like you did Virna.'”

— Tatiana Suarez

“I think for me, it was more mental. Yeah, it didn't feel good when it was rubbing against the canvas. Like, I can deal with pain. I think for me I was nervous to get on my knee. I was really messing with my head. And I was nervous. I was nervous that if I got on my knee, it might split more. I was genuinely concerned. I was like, 'I don't (expletive) know. What if it drags and it just pulls open?' In my mind, I was cringing.”

— Tatiana Suarez

What’s next

If Suarez defeats Godinez at UFC 327, she will likely be in line for another title shot against Dern, the current strawweight champion.

The takeaway

Suarez's resilience and determination to overcome significant health challenges and regain her spot as a top strawweight contender is an inspiring story for MMA fans. A win over Godinez could set up an intriguing rematch with champion Dern, showcasing the depth and competitiveness of the UFC's strawweight division.