It’s a femme fatale in the main event of UFC Denver.
Tracy Cortez enters her first headliner this weekend and it doesn’t get much bigger than former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas. Top contender Maycee Barber was originally slated to take on Namajunas but with her withdrawal it will be Cortez, who fights five rounds or less – all on short notice.
Cortez hasn’t lost since her pro debut in 2017, putting together an impressive 11-fight win streak with five of those appearances coming inside the UFC Octagon. Ranked #11, Cortez has never had an opportunity to soar higher in her career with Namajunas now across from her.
Namajunas is chasing a second title at flyweight after what was a rather successful stint at strawweight, that saw her capture the title twice against dominant champions in Joanna Jedrzejcyzk and Zhang Weili. “Thug” Rose finds herself at 1-1 at the new weight class, where she defeated Amanda Ribas by decision in March to notch her first win since her title loss to Carla Esparza.
The women’s flyweight matchup between Namajunas and Cortez takes place from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. Middle Easy is on the ground, covering the main event live.
Round 1:
Namajunas evades a leg kick, lands one of her own. Namajunas fires a straight right hand that lands. Namajunas tags Cortez with a combo. Cortez lands a leg kick. Namaunas rocks Cortez, sending her down to the canvas with a combo. Namajunas gains top control over Cortez for a quick moment before Cortez works her way back up to the feet. Cortez eats a few more shots from Namajunas. The former champ’s boxing is off to a good start as Namajunas continues to piece Cortez up with her punches. Namajunas and Cortez trade leg kicks. Another leg kick lands for Namajunas.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 2:
Namajunas lands the jab, following it up with a combo. The flyweights exchange in the pocket. Namajunas tags Cortez with a left hand. Namajunas gives Cortez different looks with feints before throwing a headkick. Cortez grabs a takedown on Namajunas, trying to get her back and then her neck in a standing guillotine choke but Namajunas escapes – going back to work on the feet. Cortez has some trouble finding her target. Namajunas lands a leg kick and then takes down Cortez to the ground to finish out the round on top.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 3:
Namajunas and Cortez waste no time in picking their shots on the feet with Namajunas catching Cortez off guard with a quick takedown. Namajunas holds down top position. Cortez tries to pop out but Namajunas stays on her like glue until Cortez finally gets back to her feet, trying to trip up Namajunas in the clinch. But in doing so, Namajunas turns it around for another takedown. Namajunas attempts to seize Cortez’s back, settling for top control instead. Cortez finds her way back up. Namajunas fires a teep kick up the middle.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 4:
Namajunas clinches with Cortez as he looks to close the distance. Cortez eventually breaks away. Cortez pushes forward against Namajunas, only to be taken down by “Thug” once again. Cortez manages to bounce back up, but Namajunas sticks on her like glue against the cage. Namajunas and Cortez separate. Namajunas expertly evades Cortez’s strikes, catching her opponent with a right hand. Not having too much success striking, Cortez changes it up with a takedown attempt, only getting Namajunas to the canvas for a few seconds.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 5:
Cortez loads up on her punches, tagging Namajunas with a left hand that gets through. The flyweights enter the clinch with Cortez now pushing Namajunas back to the cage. Namajunas reverses position and they separate. Namajunas jabs to the body. Cortez throws heat with Namajunas grabbing ahold of her in the clinch. Namajunas and Cortez act like they’re going to throw haymakers in the middle of the Octagon, smiling, deciding to play it safe in the final round. But, not for long as Cortez’ strikes continue to add up. Cortez has her moments in round 5, however, it’s not enough to get her win – going the distance.
Christopher De Santiago scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Official result: Rose Namajunas defeats Tracy Cortez via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Check out the highlights below:
https://x.com/RealJrRanks/status/1812348974805799203
Thug Rose has won her last 2 trips at flyweight and is one step closer to becoming a two division champ!#UFCDenver | @RoseNamajunas pic.twitter.com/EvoVLSFzRT
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2024
https://x.com/ufc/status/1812353425662972351
https://x.com/ufc/status/1812354732318671183
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Women's BMF? Flyweight gold?
— UFC (@ufc) July 14, 2024
What do you think is next for @RoseNamajunas? #UFCDenver pic.twitter.com/n3hSAor9ez
