Tag: UFC Denver

Cody Brundage Reflects On Bo Nickal Defeat At UFC 300 Ahead Of Denver Return: ‘I Didn’t Feel Outclassed’

UFC middleweight Cody Brundage recently opened up about his loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 300. He expressed remorse over not fully capitalizing on the chance to perform at his best in one of the most crucial fights of his career to date. Brundage is poised for his comeback against Abdul Razak Alhassan on the […]

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UFC middleweight Cody Brundage recently opened up about his loss to Bo Nickal at UFC 300. He expressed remorse over not fully capitalizing on the chance to perform at his best in one of the most crucial fights of his career to date.

Brundage is poised for his comeback against Abdul Razak Alhassan on the main card of UFC Fight Night Denver, scheduled for this Saturday at the Ball Arena in Colorado.

Over the past 18 months, the South Carolina native has maintained a highly active schedule, with this weekend’s bout against Alhassan marking his sixth appearance in the Octagon since April 2023.

Brundage has had a challenging run, posting a 2-3 record during this period. His most recent outing was a second-round submission loss to Nickal at the UFC’s milestone event this past April.

The former LOC two-division champion demonstrated remarkable resilience and forced the wrestling specialist to exert extra effort, becoming the first fighter to push his opponent into the second round.

Despite being defeated, Brundage believes he was never completely outshone by Nickal. Instead, he attributes his loss to a few minute mistakes that proved costly…

Brundage Laments Lost Opportunity Against Nickal, Asserts Minor Adjustments Could Have Changed Outcome

During a recent interview with InsideFighting, Brundage pondered his defeat against Nickal and also expressed frustration at not securing a victory at UFC 300, recognizing the lost chance to shine on such a significant stage.

“I mean, it definitely was a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Brundage said. “It was cool; it was such a great opportunity. I wish I would have cashed in on it and taken advantage of it.”

The 30-year-old went on to commend Nickal for his impressive performance, admitting that a few critical errors on his part ultimately precipitated his defeat.

“I didn’t feel outclassed when I was in the fight. I just think I got little overzealous. I didn’t keep my composure as well as I probably should have and that led to him having some success, and props to him, you know, he was able to finish the fight.

“I could have represented myself even a little bit better than I (did), but as far as the experience, it was awesome.”

Brundage made his promotional debut at UFC 266 in September 2021, where he suffered a decision loss to Nick Maximov. To date, he has struggled to leave a lasting impression in the UFC, securing only four wins out of his nine fights.

Continue Reading Cody Brundage Reflects On Bo Nickal Defeat At UFC 300 Ahead Of Denver Return: ‘I Didn’t Feel Outclassed’ at MMA News.

UFC Fight Night Denver Headliner Tracy Cortez Envisions ‘Surpassing’ Ronda Rousey: ‘I Say This Humbly…’

Ahead of her main event debut this weekend, UFC women’s flyweight Tracy Cortez has detailed the kind of success she’s envisioning for herself on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. Since losing her professional debut under the Invicta FC banner in 2017, Cortez has experienced nothing but her hand raised inside the cage, winning 11 straight fights […]

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Denver Headliner Tracy Cortez Envisions ‘Surpassing’ Ronda Rousey: ‘I Say This Humbly…’ at MMA News.

Ahead of her main event debut this weekend, UFC women’s flyweight Tracy Cortez has detailed the kind of success she’s envisioning for herself on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

Since losing her professional debut under the Invicta FC banner in 2017, Cortez has experienced nothing but her hand raised inside the cage, winning 11 straight fights to establish herself as one to watch at 125 pounds.

After adding the name of Erin Blanchfield to her record in 2019 and subsequently securing a victory on Dana White’s Contender Series, Cortez’s winning run has extended with a perfect 5-0 record in the UFC.

Now, the Phoenix native is set for her toughest test to date in the form of Rose Namajunas. With the former two-time strawweight champion left without an opponent for this weekend’s UFC Fight Night main event in Denver following Maycee Barber’s withdrawal, Cortez has stepped up on short notice.

And beyond making the most of the sizable opportunity awaiting her at the Ball Arena on Saturday night, Cortez is foreseeing an ascent to the highest possible step on the women’s MMA ladder…

Cortez Outlines Lofty UFC Ambitions Ahead Of Main Event Debut

During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, Cortez looked ahead to the shot at title contention that has fallen at her doorstep this weekend in Denver.

In terms of what she hopes to achieve with victories over notable names like “Thug Rose,” the #11-ranked flyweight set her sights on going above and beyond the legacy left behind in the cage by a trailblazer for female MMA.

“You know, I’m very grateful for the way Ronda (Rousey) paved the way for women’s MMA. No one has done it like she has,” Cortez said. “But I say this humbly, I hope to surpass that. She set a goal, and I think us as competitors, we want to keep overstepping these goals and overdoing what our last heroes did.

“I saw the way she moved and (I’m) finessing and tweaking, making it my own and hoping to surpass what she has done,” Cortez added.

Having won all five of her Octagon outings to date and cemented a ranking with her victory over Jasmine Jasudavicius at Noche UFC last September, the next step on Cortez’s journey toward the greatness former bantamweight queen Rousey achieved in the cage is a big one.

To remain perfect in the UFC and notch her first headline triumph, the 30-year-old is tasked with stalling the two-division ambitions of Namajunas.

Continue Reading UFC Fight Night Denver Headliner Tracy Cortez Envisions ‘Surpassing’ Ronda Rousey: ‘I Say This Humbly…’ at MMA News.

UFC Denver headliner Tracy Cortez hopes to one day surpass the legacy of MMA icon Ronda Rousey

UFC Denver headliner Tracy Cortez hopes to one day surpass the legacy of MMA icon Ronda RouseyTracy Cortez hopes to one day surpass the legacy left behind by Ronda Rousey. On Saturday night, the Phoenix…

UFC Denver headliner Tracy Cortez hopes to one day surpass the legacy of MMA icon Ronda Rousey

Tracy Cortez hopes to one day surpass the legacy left behind by Ronda Rousey.

On Saturday night, the Phoenix native will have a chance to take a big step in that direction when she steps in on short notice for a scrap with former two-time strawweight world champion ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas.

Tracy Cortez

Originally, Namajunas was scheduled the headline the UFC’s return to Denver against rising star Maycee Barber in a fight that feels like it’s been years in the making. Unfortunately, ‘The Future’ was forced to bow out of the bout due to an illness, paving the way for Cortez to step in and shoot her shot against one of the UFC’s most beloved female fighters.

Ahead of her return to the Octagon this weekend, Cortez spoke with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, discussing her upcoming clash and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.

Specifically asked about women’s MMA icon Ronda Rousey, Cortez has the utmost respect for ‘Rowdy,’ but made it clear that her goal is to one day surpass the accomplishments of the UFC’s first-ever female champion.

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“I’m very grateful for the way Ronda paved the way for women’s MMA,” Cortez said. “No one has done it like she has, but I say this humbly; I hope to surpass that. She set a goal and I think as competitors, we keep wanting to overstep these goals and [outdoing] what our heroes did.

“I saw the way she moved and [I keep] finessing, tweaking, and making it my own and hoping to surpass what she’s done.”

Tracy Cortez could thrust herself into title contention with an upset against ‘thug’ rose

Cortez is off to a pretty good start, going 11-1 in his mixed martial arts career, including a solid 5-0 run under the UFC banner, earning wins over the likes of Justin Kish, Melissa Gatto, and Jasmine Jasudavicius.

Tracy Cortez

As it stands, Cortez is sitting in the No. 11 spot in the women’s flyweight rankings. If she can bag an upset against Namajunas in her first UFC headliner, she’ll thrust herself into the top 10 and likely just outside the top five. Of course, getting a win over ‘Thug’ is much easier said than done.

After coming up short in her flyweight debut against Manon Fiorot, Namajumas bounced back with a solid showing against Amanda Ribas, immediately putting her into the 125-pound title picture.

Rose Namajunas

Report – Rose Namajunas set to fight Maycee Barber in UFC Denver main event scrap in July

Rose Namajunas set to fight Maycee Barber at UFC Denver in main event scrap in JulyFormer undisputed strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas is set to make her second Octagon walk of the year this summer,…

Rose Namajunas set to fight Maycee Barber at UFC Denver in main event scrap in July

Former undisputed strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas is set to make her second Octagon walk of the year this summer, headlining a UFC Fight Night Denver card against surging flyweight challenger, Maycee Barber on July 13.

Namajunas, a former undisputed strawweight champion twice under the banner of the promotion, currently holds the number six ranked divisional contender, most recently headlined UFC Vegas 89 at the end of March, snapping a two-fight losing skid in a decision victory against common-foe, Amanda Ribas.

Rose Namajunas details nightmares ahead of UFC Vegas 89 I had to fight a dude
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Rose Namajunas faces Maycee Barber at UFC Denver

And as for the number four rated contender, Barber, the flyweight staple turned in her sixth consecutive triumph at UFC 299 in March to boot, landing a decision win over former title challenger, Katlyn Cerminara. News of Rose Namajunas’ headliner against Maycee Barber was first reported by Ariel Helwani.

“Rose Namajunas x Maycee Barber will be the main event of the UFC Fight Night event on July 13, sources say,” Helwani posted on his X account. “125 pounds. Event will take place in Denver.” 

Rose Namajunas set to fight Manon Fiorot in flyweight debut at UFC Paris in September
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Prior to her decision win over Brazilian grappler, Ribas at the end of March, former two-time strawweight queen, Namajunas had sropped her divisional debut at 125 pounds, in the form of a lopsided judging defeat to surging contender, Manon Fiorot at UFC Fight Night Paris.

Over the course of her promotional run, Namajunas has struck gold in knockout wins over both Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Zhang Weili, as well as other victories over the likes of Angela Hill, Tecia Pennington, Paige VanZant, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and Jessica Andrade.

Maycee Barber eyes Rose Namajunas fight in UFC return I would be fighting backwards
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Making her return to her native Colorado, the highly-touted, Barber, who boasts an impressive 14-2 professional record, has struck wins over Miranda Maverick, Montana De La Rosa, Jessica Eye, Andrea Lee, Amanda Ribas, and the above-mentioned, Cerminara in her winning spree.

Who wins at UFC Fight Night Denver: Rose Namajunas or Maycee Barber?

Report – Rose Namajunas set to fight Maycee Barber in UFC Denver main event scrap in July

Rose Namajunas set to fight Maycee Barber at UFC Denver in main event scrap in JulyFormer undisputed strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas is set to make her second Octagon walk of the year this summer,…

Rose Namajunas set to fight Maycee Barber at UFC Denver in main event scrap in July

Former undisputed strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas is set to make her second Octagon walk of the year this summer, headlining a UFC Fight Night Denver card against surging flyweight challenger, Maycee Barber on July 13.

Namajunas, a former undisputed strawweight champion twice under the banner of the promotion, currently holds the number six ranked divisional contender, most recently headlined UFC Vegas 89 at the end of March, snapping a two-fight losing skid in a decision victory against common-foe, Amanda Ribas.

Rose Namajunas details nightmares ahead of UFC Vegas 89 I had to fight a dude
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Rose Namajunas faces Maycee Barber at UFC Denver

And as for the number four rated contender, Barber, the flyweight staple turned in her sixth consecutive triumph at UFC 299 in March to boot, landing a decision win over former title challenger, Katlyn Cerminara. News of Rose Namajunas’ headliner against Maycee Barber was first reported by Ariel Helwani.

“Rose Namajunas x Maycee Barber will be the main event of the UFC Fight Night event on July 13, sources say,” Helwani posted on his X account. “125 pounds. Event will take place in Denver.” 

Rose Namajunas set to fight Manon Fiorot in flyweight debut at UFC Paris in September
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – USA TODAY Sports

Prior to her decision win over Brazilian grappler, Ribas at the end of March, former two-time strawweight queen, Namajunas had sropped her divisional debut at 125 pounds, in the form of a lopsided judging defeat to surging contender, Manon Fiorot at UFC Fight Night Paris.

Over the course of her promotional run, Namajunas has struck gold in knockout wins over both Joanna Jedrzejczyk, and Zhang Weili, as well as other victories over the likes of Angela Hill, Tecia Pennington, Paige VanZant, Michelle Waterson-Gomez, and Jessica Andrade.

Maycee Barber eyes Rose Namajunas fight in UFC return I would be fighting backwards
Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Making her return to her native Colorado, the highly-touted, Barber, who boasts an impressive 14-2 professional record, has struck wins over Miranda Maverick, Montana De La Rosa, Jessica Eye, Andrea Lee, Amanda Ribas, and the above-mentioned, Cerminara in her winning spree.

Who wins at UFC Fight Night Denver: Rose Namajunas or Maycee Barber?

Henry Cejudo Gives His Verdict On Teammate Tracy Cortez’s Performance Against Rose Namanujas: ‘I Talked To Her On Saturday…’

Henry Cejudo recently weighed in on his teammate Tracy Cortez’s defeat against Rose Namajunas, suggesting that she had the potential to perform much better. Last Saturday night, Cortez gave it her all but fell short on the judges’ scorecards, enduring her first UFC defeat in a grueling five-round battle against “Thug Rose,” who won by […]

Continue Reading Henry Cejudo Gives His Verdict On Teammate Tracy Cortez’s Performance Against Rose Namanujas: ‘I Talked To Her On Saturday…’ at MMA News.

Henry Cejudo recently weighed in on his teammate Tracy Cortez’s defeat against Rose Namajunas, suggesting that she had the potential to perform much better.

Last Saturday night, Cortez gave it her all but fell short on the judges’ scorecards, enduring her first UFC defeat in a grueling five-round battle against “Thug Rose,” who won by unanimous decision.

Cortez was originally gearing up for a bout against Miranda Maverick at UFC Vegas 94 on July 20. However, when Maycee Barber had to withdraw from the UFC Fight Night Denver main event due to undisclosed reasons, Cortez stepped up, accepting the short-notice challenge with just two weeks to prepare.

Despite the limited preparation time, the 30-year-old Arizona native went toe-to-toe for the full 25 minutes against the former two-time strawweight champion. However, her teammate at Fight Ready gym, Cejudo, believes that Cortez could have delivered a much stronger performance with a different game plan…

Cejudo Believes Cortez Misinterpreted Namajunas’ Strategy

During a recent Pound 4 Pound podcast episode with former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman, “Triple C” dissected Cortez’s performance against Namajunas. He noted that “Thug Rose” effectively utilized her lateral movements and found better striking angles with well-timed takedowns, ultimately securing her victory over his teammate.

“Rose was able to use her lateral movements, pick her shots, and then eventually bring in takedowns, which kind of surprised me,” Cejudo said. “But I’m not surprised with her because she did the same thing to Weili [Zhang] towards the end of the round to secure the rounds.”

Cejudo further critiqued that Cortez lacked mindfulness throughout the fight and failed to capitalize on key takedown opportunities, a misstep that decisively cost her the bout.

“Tracy didn’t show up, man. I just don’t know how to say it; man, that’s not the Tracy that we know. I watched the fight again, and she never once attempted the takedowns; after she attempted one takedown, that’s it, there’s no level changes involved. I talked to her on Saturday afterward and just said, ‘Hey, just keep your head up, dude. It was an experience, but I just know you’re better than that, Tracy’.”

Cortez began the bout stronger, aiming to counter Namajunas’ speed and striking skills. Although she secured an early takedown, Cortez frequently found herself on the receiving end, being taken down multiple times by her opponent throughout the fight.

Continue Reading Henry Cejudo Gives His Verdict On Teammate Tracy Cortez’s Performance Against Rose Namanujas: ‘I Talked To Her On Saturday…’ at MMA News.