LAS VEGAS – If you can’t beat them, join them. That was Emily Ducote’s philosophy after losing to Angela Hill in December.
Ducote (12-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) had a four-fight winning streak snapped and suffered her first UFC loss at UFC on ESPN 42 when she dropped a unanimous decision to longtime veteran Hill.
Instead of sulking on the result, Ducote traveled from Oklahoma to San Diego and put in work with Hill at Alliance MMA, and she hopes that pays dividends when she steps back in the octagon Saturday to face Loopy Godinez (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) in a 120-pound catchweight bout at UFC Fight Night 224.
“I actually had a chance to go out and train with Angela Hill and Jessica Penne this camp,” Ducote told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC Fight Night 224 media day. “So before I even knew (about the opponent change from Polyana Viana to Godinez), so it’s cool.”
Coincidentally, Ducote and Hill will now share a fight card. After UFC Fight Night 224 lost its originally main event of Arman Tsarukyan vs. Renato Moicano, the promotion elevated a bout between Hill and fellow strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern to headlining status.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
