Tracy Cortez has a huge opportunity to put herself into title contention on Saturday night.
The 30-year-old will square off against former Strawweight champion ‘Thug’ Rose Namajunas in a Flyweight bout in the main of the UFC Denver card.
Already in camp, it was a last minute change for the American, who was originally slated to compete on next weekend’s card. Addressing the media ahead of the contest, Cortez revealed how the bout came to be. She said:
“I was preparing to fight July 20th versus Maverick, and I was in the car and I was about to get out of the car to go hit a cardio session and that's when my manager called me and said, ‘Hey, Maycee Barber is out and they want you to fight Rose.’ And at first I couldn't believe it, I thought it was a joke.
“I was like ‘No way!’ And he goes ‘No, seriously’ I go ‘Stop.’ He goes ‘No, like, seriously.’ ‘So they want me to fight 13th, not the 20th?' He was like, 'Yeah.' I had no hesitation. I said, 'Let's do it. I'm game.'
Namajunas is undoubtedly the biggest name Cortez has faced and as much as she has plenty of respect for Namajunas, Cortez always felt the day their paths crossed was inevitable.
“I have nothing but respect for Rose. She's an incredible athlete, but it's part of the game. You know, we're going to face each other one day and the day just happens to be today or this Saturday.”
Cortez believes she offers a unique challenge for her opponent and that in her outings at Flyweight so far, Namajunas is yet to face an opponent like her.
“She's a veteran. She's a veteran and this isn't her first rodeo so I know she's mentally aware of what's to come, but she hasn't fought a 125er like myself. She hasn't fought someone like me at this weight division. So just as unprepared as she is or as I am, she is as well and I just I believe it's going to be a good fight.”
The bout will mark Cortez’s first main event, a huge milestone in any athlete’s career. When asked how she will handle to emotion of it all, Cortez admitted that she will just take it all in.
“I'm just embracing it. There's a moment where I have to just, whether it's release, some tears, smile or whatever it is that I'm feeling, I'm just going to let it go and I just move on. Right now, there's just nothing but pure happiness. There's nothing but pure gratitude and just overwhelmed by all the love and support from around the world.
“I'm kind of taking back, you know, I'm actually extremely shocked at the support. It's overwhelming, but in the best way possible.”
You can watch the full media day interview below:
