Tracy Cortez is set to compete in the biggest fight of her career at UFC Denver this weekend (Sat., July 13, 2024).
UFC’s return to its origin state has crumbled in its build. Originally on tap for the main event was a Flyweight contender bout between former Strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, and Maycee Barber. Unfortunately for Barber, she suffered an injury that led to her withdrawal and Cortez’s heroics, stepping up a week earlier than her planned match up against Miranda Maverick for UFC Vegas 95 next weekend (Sat., July 20, 2024).
The division’s title is currently stuck between the Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko rivalry. However, the champion, Grasso, has speculated Shevchenko might not make it to the planned Noche UFC event in Las Vegas’ Sphere on Sept. 14, 2024. Should there be any issues or a resort to other options, Cortez hopes to make a statement against Namajunas and slide into the title challenger role.
“I really want to fight for the belt,” Cortez told MMA Junkie. “I know there’s a lot of people ahead of me still. I know winning this fight, where it could move me to, and the performance I put on Saturday, I know everything that comes with it. If I get the opportunity and they grant me the opportunity to fight at The Sphere, I think it would be incredible history. Two Mexican women on Mexican Independence Day fighting on the biggest sport event ever. I think that would just be incredible. That’s something I never imagined and I feel like it’s just arm’s length. That is what I’m striving for, but at the end of the day, long-term goal, I am fighting for the belt.”
Cortez, 30, has been perfect in her 12-fight career (11-1) since she dropped her debut bout by second round guillotine against Cheri Muraski in August 2017. In her match up with Namajunas, she’ll be the former champion’s third fight at 125 pounds.
“Who doesn’t love Rose? She’s an incredible person, but unfortunately, we are in the fighting business,” Cortez said. “She wants to move up to 125 and we’re going to face each other. Whether it’s now or down the road, it just happens to be now. I have nothing bad to say about Rose and if anything, I’m excited for this challenge and I’m grateful she took this fight with me.
“I want to say I’m a true 125er,” she continued. “Sh*t, I could even fight at 135 but I’m a real Flyweight and I don’t think she’s yet to face someone like myself, and vice versa. I’ve never faced a former world champion, so it’s putting both of us in a good test.”
Remember that MMAmania.com will deliver LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the entire UFC Denver fight card right here, starting with the ESPN/ESPN+ “Prelims” matches, which are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, then the remaining main card balance on ESPN (simulcast on ESPN+) at 10 p.m. ET.
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