Rose Namajunas handed Tracy Cortez her loss in the UFC with a unanimous decision win in the main event of UFC Denver.
Having been originally preparing to face Maycee Barber, 'Thug' had a late change in opponent when Barber was forced to pull out of the contest.
The number 11 ranked Cortez, who was set to fight next weekend, then stepped up to the plate to face the former Strawweight champion.
Namajunas wasted no time getting to work when the bell sounded and dropped Cortez just two minutes into the contest. Although unable to finish the fight there and then, 'Thug' continued to show why she had already been to the top of the game, with a slick shot selection to see out the remainder of the first round.
Cortez had some success in the second round but it was Namajunas who pushed the pace and ultimately clinched the round.
'Thug' had a change in tact in the third, opting to immediately take the fight to the floor and the bout stayed there for most of the round. Namajunas searched for submission but Cortez done a solid job of defending.
Round four was much of the same from 'Thug', showing her high level of both striking and grappling throughout.
Cortez, aware of the fact she needed a finish, pushed the pace in the fifth and final round but was unable to find the stoppage she desperately needed and bout went to the judges scorecards.
The official result read 49-46, 49,46, 48-47, all in favour of Namajunas.
Speaking to Paul Felder in the octagon after the bout and expressed her gratitude to the fans and the people of Denver, the place she calls home. She said:
"Denver has been so good to me for so many years. I had a rough upbringing and when I am here, it's like I can just breathe, you know? So I thank you guys so much."
Looking ahead, Namajunas wants either a title shot, or a women's BMF belt:
"Give me the belt man, I want it. I am Colorado's first UFC champion so I want to bring the second one back here. Either that, or a women's BMF."
You can watch the full interview, below:
