UFC Denver has a new look main event following the withdrawal of Maycee Barber from her contest with ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas.
The number 11 ranked Tracy Cortez will now step in on short notice to take on former Strawweight champion, Namajunas. However, Cortez was already in training as she was originally scheduled to fight against Miranda Maverick one week later. It was speculated last week that Cortez would step in to the main event spot, with the confirming the bout over the weekend.
The event takes place at the Ball Arena, Denver on July 13 but has been hit with numerous bout cancellations due to injuries and now stands as an 8 bout, fight night.
Although activity has been a struggle for Cortez, having only competed in the UFC 5 times since signing with them in 2019, the 30 year old has looked extremely capable in all of her visits to the octagon. Currently standing at 5-0 in the UFC, the Namajunas bout is undeniably the biggest of Cortez's career so far and if she can find a route to victory, she could dramatically climb up the Flyweight division.
Namajunas took a year away from the octagon after dropping her Strawweight title to Carla Esparza UFC 274 and ahead of her return, announced she would be making the move Flyweight. In the 32-year-old’s first contest at 125lbs, she faced Manon Fiorot, who was riding a 10 fight win streak. It was far from the ideal start for Namajunas at her new weight, being edged out two rounds to one and dropping a unanimous decision loss.
In her next contest at Flyweight, Namajunas was back in a main event slot and looked extremely comfortable against Amanda Ribas. Claiming a well earned unanimous decision and now with a ranking next to her name in a second division, ‘Thug’ Rose will be hoping she can start a winning streak and work her way towards the belt.
