Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Former two-time UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas continues her ascent up the flyweight ladder when she takes on streaking American Tracy Cortez in the main event of UFC Denver. The UFC returns to Denver for the first time since 2018 and has positioned home-girl Namajunas as the headline act. Tracy Cortez, priced as the underdog ahead of the bout this weekend, is making a short-notice switch to replace Maycee Barber. Cortez was earlier booked to fight next week at UFC on ESPN against Miranda Maverick.

MMA: UFC Flyweight

Where to Watch: ESPN+/ESPN

Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado

Date: 14.07.2024 05:30

A two-time UFC strawweight champion, American Rose Namajunas was the first woman to regain a UFC championship belt when she defeated Zhang Weili to reclaim the title in 2021. Last year, the number seven ranked UFC women’s pound-for-pound fighter moved to flyweight, losing her divisional debut to Manon Fioorot in Paris. “Thug Rose” rebounded this year with a decision win over Amanda Ribas last March. Known for well-honed striking skills, Rose Namajunas uses her jabs and kicks excellently, but is also willing to mix up her striking with grappling. The 32-year-old is hoping to challenge for the 125-pound title soon.

• Age: 32
• Height: 5’5”
• Weight: 125lbs (57kg)
• Reach: 65”
• Record: 12-6

The 30-year-old Dana White Contender Series graduate will headline her first UFC event after moving in as a short-notice replacement to fight Rose Namajunas. Tracy Cortez lost her first professional fight but has been unbeaten since then. She is 5-0 in the Octagon, triumphing via decisions each time. The 2019 UFC debutant is number eleven in the flyweight rankings. Known for her exceptional striking accuracy, quantity of strikes, and striker differential, Cortez has also displayed great grappling skills, amassing many minutes of control time in her fights so far.

• Age: 30
• Height: 5’5’’
• Reach: 65”
• Weight: 125lbs (57kg)
• Record: 11-1

Tracy Cortez is a 2.87 underdog on Bet365. Rose Namajunas to win by decision is 2.36 odds on 1xBet, with the underdog priced at 4.25 to win via the judges’ cards. Cortez is 2.75 underdog on Betway.