Career Averages - Rose Namajunas
Career Averages - Tracy Cortez
Rose Namajunas
Tracy Cortez
Rose Namajunas - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natália Silva | 0 | 51 of 133 | 38% | 63 of 147 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:24 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 26 of 94 | 27% | 46 of 119 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natália Silva | 0 | 15 of 44 | 34% | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 13 of 39 | 33% | 13 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Natália Silva | 0 | 8 of 27 | 29% | 15 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 18 | 27% | 25 of 43 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 2:09 | |
| 3 | Natália Silva | 0 | 28 of 62 | 45% | 33 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 8 of 37 | 21% | 8 of 37 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natália Silva | 51 of 133 | 38% | 25 of 95 | 8 of 14 | 18 of 24 | 50 of 132 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 26 of 94 | 27% | 11 of 64 | 3 of 13 | 12 of 17 | 26 of 92 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Natália Silva | 15 of 44 | 34% | 10 of 32 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 9 | 15 of 44 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 13 of 39 | 33% | 4 of 22 | 1 of 6 | 8 of 11 | 13 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Natália Silva | 8 of 27 | 29% | 4 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 5 of 18 | 27% | 3 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 17 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Natália Silva | 28 of 62 | 45% | 11 of 41 | 7 of 10 | 10 of 11 | 27 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 8 of 37 | 21% | 4 of 26 | 1 of 6 | 3 of 5 | 8 of 36 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Natália Silva, calling her faster, cleaner, and a better athlete. He praises her footwork and timing. He acknowledges Rose Namajunas's experience and fight IQ but believes Silva's youth and speed will prevail. He suggests over 2.5 rounds as a likely lock.
Big Brady believes Silva is one of the best flyweights, with elite takedown defense (92%) and great striking volume and power. He thinks Rose will struggle similar to her fight with Fiorot, and Silva will piece her up over 15 minutes for a dominant decision win.
Cody confidently picks Natália Silva, citing her 92% takedown defense and striking volume. He believes Rose Namajunas struggles at 125 pounds and won't be able to secure takedowns. Cody expects Silva to win a unanimous decision, outworking Rose on the feet.
Connor also picks Silva, agreeing that Rose Namajunas has not adapted well to flyweight. He notes that Rose's power and speed have diminished, and that she now has to outwork opponents—a style she never excelled at. Connor points out that Silva is faster, hits harder, and throws more, and that Rose's best chance (wrestling) is untested against Silva. He believes Silva's dynamism will be too much for Rose to handle.
Daniel Vreeland picks Natália Silva to win by decision. He praises Silva's confidence, well-rounded game, and impressive wins over former champions. He notes that Silva is younger, hungrier, and has speed that matches Namajunas. Vreeland believes Silva will beat Namajunas decisively and earn a title shot against Valentina Shevchenko.
James is confident in Silva, noting her superior footwork neutralizes Namajunas's best asset. He expects Silva to win via decision, possibly hurting Namajunas with kicks but not finishing her. He mentions Silva's taekwondo background and that she has cashed for him multiple times.
The host leans towards Silva by decision, praising her distance management and blitzing style. However, he finds the -410 line too wide and believes Rose Namajunas is live as a plus-310 underdog. He notes Namajunas's experience, improved grappling, and ability to counter mobile strikers. He suggests the over 2.5 rounds is a no-brainer and recommends betting on Namajunas for value.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Silva's speed and combination punching. He doubts Rose can get the wrestling going and believes Silva's quickness will overwhelm her. Paul sees a decision win for Silva, noting that a knockout prop is not worth the price.
The MMA Guru picks Natália Silva, praising her kicking game and ability to fight off the back foot. He notes that Rose Namajunas often leaves fights close and lacks offensive grappling at flyweight. He predicts a decision win, possibly 30-27.
Zane picks Natália Silva confidently, highlighting her incredible speed and high output. He notes that Silva's bad defensive habits (chin in the air) are mitigated by her speed and ability to counter, and that she has hurt every opponent she's faced. Zane argues that Rose Namajunas has lost power and speed at flyweight, and that she can no longer rely on fight-changing shots. He believes Silva's volume and pace will overwhelm Rose over three rounds.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 1 | 25 of 86 | 29% | 46 of 118 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 6:33 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 | 25 of 74 | 33% | 52 of 108 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 1 | 1 | 1:48 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 17 of 59 | 28% | 18 of 60 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 | 20 of 58 | 34% | 20 of 58 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 17 | 29% | 9 of 26 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:05 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 22 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 0:45 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 1 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 19 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:13 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 10 of 17 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 25 of 86 | 29% | 22 of 75 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 23 of 83 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 |
| Miranda Maverick | 25 of 74 | 33% | 14 of 61 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 7 | 25 of 73 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 17 of 59 | 28% | 15 of 50 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 16 of 58 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Miranda Maverick | 20 of 58 | 34% | 11 of 47 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 20 of 57 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 5 of 17 | 29% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Miranda Maverick | 5 of 14 | 35% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 3 of 10 | 30% | 2 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Miranda Maverick | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose because she is the better striker with superior footwork and technique. He acknowledges Miranda's wrestling threat but believes Rose can defend takedowns and out-strike her. He expresses concern about Rose's training situation but hopes she strings it together like she did against Tracy Cortez.
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas by decision. He believes Rose is the better fighter overall, with superior striking and the ability to get takedowns against Maverick's sub-50% takedown defense. He worries slightly about Maverick's strength but notes Rose has done well at flyweight. He thinks Rose should win at least two rounds in a three-round fight.
Connor picks Namajunas, agreeing that Maverick is a 'Jake Matthews of women's flyweight'—athletic but aimless, with no clear idea how to win. He notes that Namajunas is much better in the clinch than she used to be and that Maverick's wrestling entries are poor. Connor believes Namajunas's speed, accuracy, and combination punching will allow her to outwork Maverick, and that Maverick's tendency to float and try things without a plan will be her undoing.
This is a closer fight than the odds suggest, but Namajunas's striking will reign supreme. She may have issues with Maverick's strength and clinch work, but she will get into open space, land more damage, and win a clear decision.
The Guru picks Rose Namajunas, calling her a much better technical martial artist. He notes her grappling defense and standup are superior, and she has size at flyweight. He expects a unanimous decision win, 30-27, as Rose outclasses Maverick everywhere.
Zane picks Namajunas, citing her superior craft, movement, and jab-heavy striking as a clear advantage over Maverick's aimless, unprincipled game. He notes that Maverick lacks a clear process and often gets caught up striking when she should wrestle, while Namajunas is accurate, fast, and effective at kicking range. Zane believes Namajunas can outpoint Maverick over three rounds, as Maverick has consistently lost to fighters with a strong game plan.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 110 of 281 | 39% | 193 of 387 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 8:54 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 94 of 245 | 38% | 101 of 254 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 19 of 68 | 27% | 19 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 30 of 61 | 49% | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 25 of 67 | 37% | 28 of 70 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 23 of 65 | 35% | 26 of 69 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 3 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 48 of 82 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:38 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 40 of 93 | 43% | 43 of 97 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 25 of 79 | 31% | 25 of 80 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:07 | |
| 5 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 15 of 25 | 60% | 55 of 70 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 4:08 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 10 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 110 of 281 | 39% | 81 of 248 | 15 of 16 | 14 of 17 | 103 of 269 | 2 of 6 | 5 of 6 |
| Rose Namajunas | 94 of 245 | 38% | 68 of 212 | 18 of 24 | 8 of 9 | 91 of 241 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 19 of 68 | 27% | 11 of 58 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 68 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 30 of 61 | 49% | 22 of 52 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 30 of 61 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 25 of 67 | 37% | 21 of 61 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 25 of 65 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 23 of 65 | 35% | 17 of 58 | 5 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 22 of 64 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Erin Blanchfield | 11 of 28 | 39% | 7 of 24 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 1 of 2 |
| Rose Namajunas | 9 of 21 | 42% | 7 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Erin Blanchfield | 40 of 93 | 43% | 29 of 82 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 40 of 93 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 25 of 79 | 31% | 16 of 67 | 8 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 25 of 78 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Erin Blanchfield | 15 of 25 | 60% | 13 of 23 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 9 of 19 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 4 |
| Rose Namajunas | 7 of 19 | 36% | 6 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas confidently, calling her an all-time great and a better striker than Erin Blanchfield. He notes Blanchfield's inability to get takedowns was exposed against Manon Fiorot, and without that, she is stuck in a striking match with a superior striker. He thinks five rounds help Rose, as she can afford to lose a round if taken down. He placed a half unit bet on Rose at plus 100 (even money).
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas to win by decision. He questions Erin Blanchfield's wrestling, noting her low takedown accuracy (33%) and failure to take down opponents like Fiorot and Santos. He believes on the feet, Rose is clearly superior, and even if taken down, Rose's scrambling is good. Brady likes the plus money and thinks the big cage favors Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas as an underdog, arguing that Blanchfield's takedown struggles against Manon Fiorot (0 for 3) and Taila Santos (0 for 14) show she can't reliably take down elite grapplers. He believes Rose's striking, footwork, and takedown defense will keep the fight standing, where she has the advantage. He also notes Rose's experience in five-round fights and her ability to mix in takedowns herself.
Daniel Vreeland picks Erin Blanchfield to win, arguing that the line is influenced by recency bias from Blanchfield's loss to Manon Fiorot. He points out that Rose Namajunas has poor takedown defense (under 60%) compared to Fiorot's 93%, and that Blanchfield's grappling is a different level—she can take the back and submit opponents. Vreeland expects Blanchfield to pressure Namajunas, get takedowns, and potentially finish via ground-and-pound or submission.
Lucrative James picks Erin Blanchfield to win inside the distance, emphasizing her grappling advantage. He notes Rose has been taken down in recent fights and that Blanchfield's wrestling will be decisive. He believes Rose has lost some athleticism and that Blanchfield can finish via submission, likely a rear-naked choke.
Namajunas has shown tremendous defensive grappling improvements, and that will get her a victory over Blanchfield. She will win at least three of the five rounds by out-pointing and out-damaging Blanchfield, winning on the scorecards and positioning herself for a title shot.
Paul sides with Rose but is less confident, expecting a close split decision. He notes that Blanchfield's path to victory is through takedowns, but Rose has shown improved takedown defense and can win on the feet. He mentions the common opponent Jessica Andrade, where Rose won by decision and Blanchfield by submission, but sees the fight as competitive. He plans to bet the split decision prop rather than the moneyline.
The Guru picks Rose Namajunas over Erin Blanchfield, calling Blanchfield overrated. He praises Namajunas's technical skills, scrambles, and wrestling reactions. He notes Blanchfield's poor performance against Manon Fiorot and believes Namajunas will win as an underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 1 | 96 of 180 | 53% | 119 of 215 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 6:36 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 58 of 198 | 29% | 85 of 233 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 1 | 26 of 50 | 52% | 30 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 12 of 43 | 27% | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 26 of 46 | 56% | 27 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 11 of 41 | 26% | 12 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 15 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 17 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 12 of 44 | 27% | 15 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 28 of 44 | 63% | 30 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 21 of 61 | 34% | 36 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 96 of 180 | 53% | 66 of 146 | 17 of 20 | 13 of 14 | 93 of 175 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 58 of 198 | 29% | 31 of 162 | 14 of 17 | 13 of 19 | 52 of 189 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 26 of 50 | 52% | 16 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 12 of 43 | 27% | 4 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 10 | 12 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 26 of 46 | 56% | 16 of 33 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 25 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 11 of 41 | 26% | 7 of 36 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 5 of 12 | 41% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 11 of 28 | 39% | 8 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 12 of 44 | 27% | 7 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 40 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 28 of 44 | 63% | 21 of 37 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 28 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 21 of 61 | 34% | 12 of 50 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Namajunas (-218), Cortez (+180)
Round 1
We have reached the main event to conclude the patchwork but still entertaining fight card. Former strawweight queen Namajunas (12-6, 10-5 UFC) prepared to fight on home soil, and she initially planned on facing Amanda Ribas. With this show shredded due to multiple fighter withdrawals, including the main attraction, it now falls to Cortez (11-1, 5-0 UFC) to pick up the reins in the blue corner. Cortez puts her lengthy win streak on the line, while Namajunas hopes to cement herself as a contender in her new weight class. The two will be joined in the cage by referee Herb Dean, who brings them together to tap gloves. It’s go time. Cortez shifts right to the center of the cage to begin, and they both pursue leg kicks early on. Both women land them, but Namajunas’ are far heavier. Namajunas prods out a jab and is met with a calf kick on the inside, and she connects with a one-two that catches Cortez by surprise. A leg kick from Cortez is countered by a right hand, and Namajunas reaches her right after with a front kick and a left hook. Cortez changes stances to work her way in, but Namajunas’ strikes are sharper and having a much more significant effect. “Thug Rose” puts Cortez on her seat courtesy of a stunning left hook, and she pounces to reach her foe’s guard. Namajunas lands a few strikes from above before abandoning this track and backing off to stand back up. Cortez follows her, and she walks right into a right hand. Cortez tries to crash the pocket to get her back, but the jabs from Namajunas are accurate and constant. Cortez attacks with a body kick, and she pulls back with a knee as she is nearly reached with a quick counter. Namajunas fires off a one-two as Cortez nods at her, and she pops out a jab and blocks a high kick. Namajunas’ jab is her best weapon, shutting down much of Cortez’ offense, although Cortez does get off a hard right hand when the two exchange. One after another, they land low kicks, and Namajunas lunges with a right hand and follows it with a speedy jab. The leg kicks from Namajunas draw some hesitation from Cortez, who preemptively raises up her leg a few times in hopes of checking one. Namajunas gets off a few more punches, and the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 2
The second round begins with both ladies willing to engage, and they do just that. Namajunas lands a few punches, pulls back, and Cortez motions at her to bring on more. Cortez tries to counter, and Namajunas is out of position before getting reached. Cortez gets inside to land a pair of right hands, and Namajunas fires back with a left hook to force a break. Namajunas scores a left that makes Cortez blink rapidly, and Cortez gathers herself and tosses out a low kick. Namajunas chains a few punches together into a leg kick, and she is out of the way before she gets reached back. Namajunas beats Cortez to the punch on one exchange, and she whips a kick up and around the guard to slam Cortez in the face. Cortez sits down on a few punches, and she strikes her way into a takedown effort. Namajunas defends it, and Cortez slides around to take the back standing. Namajunas slips out of the dangerous position, and Cortez sets up a standing guillotine choke. Namajunas calmly works her way out of the submission try, and she lands a right hand on the break. Namajunas lances out a stunning right hand, and Cortez takes a moment before deciding what next to do. Lashing out with a left and two right hands, Cortez strikes back, and Namajunas slips out of the pocket and pops her with a quick counter. “Thug Rose” sneaks in a jab and is out of range in time to avoid anything possibly flying her direction. Namajunas dips and reaches with another jab, and she walks through a front kick to put two punches on the chin. They both miss with front kicks, and Namajunas lands a thudding leg kick. Namajunas rushes forward, hitting a trip with the body lock and putting Cortez on her back for a few seconds before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 3
Namajunas is quick to get things going, and Cortez answers her with intensity and several powerful strikes. Namajunas nails her foe with a body kick and a few punches, and when Cortez swings back, Namajunas hits an easy takedown and even more easily moves into full mount. Cortez scoots her way to the fence, and she tries to hand-fight to defend herself from most of the ground strikes. Namajunas stays heavy and lands a few strikes, and when Cortez scrambles, Namajunas sets up a guillotine choke in response. Cortez fights out of it and wall-walks to get back to her feet, and they jockey for position in the clinch. Cortez tries for her own trip, and Namajunas muscles her opponent to the mat. Namajunas slips into three-quarter mount practically when landing, maintaining a dominant position until getting full mount. Cortez uses two-on-one wrist control to try to hang onto Namajunas’ left arm, and Namajunas shakes out of the grip and drops down some ground-and-pound. Cortez pushes her feet off the wall to get some space, and Namajunas follows her to take the back and briefly fish for a rear-naked choke. Namajunas resides on the back with a hook in, and she wrenches on a half nelson with Cortez’ arm in the air before moving into a more traditional position of half guard. Cortez looks to sit up and manages to climb back up to her feet, and Namajunas backs off to reset. Namajunas misses with a one-two, but a front kick from “Thug Rose” makes Cortez take a quick count of her teeth. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 4
Namajunas jabs early and often as the two reach the championship rounds. Cortez replies with two probing low kicks, and she chases after Namajunas and kicks her in the head. Namajunas eats it like an edible and punches her way into the clinch, where she presses the Arizona native to the fencing. Cortez knees her way out of the tie-up and walks “Thug Rose” down, but she does not throw anything of note. Instead, it is Namajunas who attempts a strike, albeit an inaccurate head kick. Cortez has her head snapped back from a jab, and she cannot pay Namajunas back before Namajunas is out of the way. Cortez lands a body shot and is countered, and she puts her hands together but soon finds herself on the canvas when Namajunas succeeds in tripping her up with a double. Cortez uses the fence to climb back to her feet, not letting Namajunas take her back this time when they scramble, but she is stuck against the wall. Namajunas backs away to return to her preferred jabbing range, and she jabs and clips Cortez with a left hook. Namajunas lands, dodges and lands again, with Cortez hitting air much of the time. Cortez has a body kick miss, and Namajunas’ head movement and footwork are giving her fits. Namajunas pokes out a jab, and Cortez shoots for a double and pushes Namajunas to the wall. Namajunas stands up after being dragged to a knee, and Cortez presses tightly against her, ignoring a knee to the belly so she can give one back. The round ends, and Cortez appears dismayed as she walks to her corner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 5
The final round begins with Cortez knowing she has to finish the fight or lose. She decides that it is time to throw down, and she walks Namajunas down and slings punches. Namajunas meets her in the middle swinging hands, and both women crack one another with powerful blows. As Namajunas lands a particularly effective strike, Cortez pushes forward to change levels. Namajunas spins her around once her back hits the fence, and Cortez fights out of it. Namajunas stays light on her feet, jabbing and dodging anything of note that comes her direction. Namajunas sits down on a right hand, and Cortez appears fired up from it as she swings back harder. This allows Namajunas to get up close and personal so she can drag her towards the fence, but Cortez wants nothing to do with clinching and she frantically pulls away. Namajunas hits a takedown after shooting from a distance, and Cortez climbs to one knee and then back to her feet, all while backing her way to the cage. Cortez gets away, and both women throw hands and catch one another with left hooks. Cortez points at the ground to signal a brawl, and Namajunas ignores the calls for it and circles away. Namajunas laughs at a second effort from Cortez pointing at the floor, and Cortez is forced to walk after her. Cortez lands several heavy punches, including a few big right hands, and Namajunas has to shake them off. Cortez keeps going forward, loading up with everything she has left, and Namajunas slips a few, eats some more and gives some back. Cortez reaches her with an uppercut and gets knocked back with a left hook, and she raises her arms in the air to bring on more. Namajunas shoots for a takedown, and Cortez stops it and swings for the bleachers. Her forward momentum results in a final clinch, and the evening ends not with a band but a whimper. The one-sided occasion comes to a close, with zero doubt as to who will get their hand raised. The only question is who will be next for former champ Namajunas, who is a bonafide contender in her new division and calls for a title shot. Meanwhile, the long win streak for Cortez grinds to a halt. No matter who they fight next, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (49-46 Namajunas)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (49-46 Namajunas)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (49-46 Namajunas)
The Official Result
Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas, citing her superior striking and overall skill. He believes Tracy Cortez's path to victory is through wrestling, but doubts she can take Rose down for 25 minutes, especially since Cortez was training for a three-round fight and now faces five rounds at elevation. He notes that Rose was taken down four times by Amanda Ribas, but Ribas used clinch tosses rather than traditional shots, which are easier to defend. Angelo plans to have multiple bets on Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas, citing her experience at altitude, full camp, and superior striking. He notes Tracy Cortez's inactivity and short notice, and believes Rose's wrestling defense and offensive takedowns will be key. He expects a decision win for Rose.
Daniel Vreeland picks Tracy Cortez to upset Rose Namajunas. He argues that Cortez has a legitimate wrestling background, which historically gives Rose trouble, and that Rose is a 'hot and cold' fighter who struggles when faced with adversity. He notes Cortez's 11-fight win streak and that she was already preparing for a fight next week, so short notice isn't a major issue. He also mentions Rose's age and mileage, suggesting she may be slowing down. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and prefers the plus 185 underdog.
Rose Namajunas has the striking advantage and the cardio edge, especially at altitude. Cortez will land some takedowns, but over 25 minutes, Namajunas will land better strikes and even some takedowns of her own late, cruising to a decision. The line is a bit wide, but the former champion reigns supreme.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Rose's full camp, altitude advantage, and five-round experience. He points out that Cortez's wrestling has been neutralized by upper-echelon opponents and that Rose's scrambling ability will nullify takedowns. He sees Rose winning by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 83 of 270 | 30% | 137 of 342 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 93 of 188 | 49% | 169 of 281 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 6:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 16 of 47 | 34% | 30 of 63 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 23 of 34 | 67% | 35 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:55 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 15 of 49 | 30% | 22 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 43 of 65 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:00 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 31 of 70 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 19 of 36 | 52% | 20 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 10 of 39 | 25% | 29 of 66 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 7 of 25 | 28% | 45 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:40 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 24 of 85 | 28% | 25 of 86 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Amanda Ribas | 0 | 25 of 54 | 46% | 26 of 55 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 83 of 270 | 30% | 39 of 195 | 19 of 42 | 25 of 33 | 76 of 259 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 5 |
| Amanda Ribas | 93 of 188 | 49% | 45 of 124 | 44 of 60 | 4 of 4 | 81 of 176 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 16 of 47 | 34% | 8 of 33 | 2 of 6 | 6 of 8 | 14 of 45 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Amanda Ribas | 23 of 34 | 67% | 6 of 16 | 16 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 16 of 27 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 15 of 49 | 30% | 7 of 34 | 3 of 8 | 5 of 7 | 14 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Amanda Ribas | 19 of 39 | 48% | 12 of 27 | 6 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 18 of 50 | 36% | 10 of 39 | 3 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 15 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 5 |
| Amanda Ribas | 19 of 36 | 52% | 11 of 26 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 10 of 39 | 25% | 3 of 28 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Amanda Ribas | 7 of 25 | 28% | 4 of 19 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 24 of 85 | 28% | 11 of 61 | 9 of 18 | 4 of 6 | 23 of 83 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Amanda Ribas | 25 of 54 | 46% | 12 of 36 | 12 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 23 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas despite rooting for Amanda Ribas. He acknowledges Rose's superior skills and accomplishments but is concerned about her mental state and training camp. He notes that Rose has not looked bad in recent losses, being outstruck by a larger striker in Manon Fiorot and having a boring fight with Carla Esparza. He hopes Ribas wins but cannot pick against Rose's talent.
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas, stating she is the much better fighter with a better resume. He notes Rose is the better striker, has good grappling, and has gone five rounds before. He points out Ribas is less durable (knocked out three times) and this is her first five-round fight. He predicts a decision win for Rose.
Cody acknowledges Rose's technical skills and well-rounded game, but highlights her mental inconsistency and tendency to have flat performances like the Carla Esparza fight. He notes that Rose is capable of looking like a -500 favorite or just handing rounds away. He ultimately picks Rose but with hesitancy due to these red flags.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Amanda Ribas if the fight goes past the first two rounds, citing Rose's tendency to fade or lose focus when extended. He notes Ribas has better output, wrestling, and durability in later rounds, while Rose's path is an early knockout. He acknowledges Rose's danger but prefers the dog at plus money.
Namajunas has superior technical striking and should be able to set traps and land clean shots. Ribas is durable but leaves openings and has been finished by technical strikers before. Namajunas should stop takedowns and control the striking, likely finishing by TKO in the third round. The under on 4.5 rounds is favored, indicating a finish is expected.
Paul points out that Amanda Ribas has been bouncing between weight classes and hasn't filled out her frame at 125. He credits Rose's performance against Manon Fiorot, where she fought through a broken hand, and believes Rose will learn from her flat performance against Carla Esparza. He picks Rose but acknowledges the possibility of another lackluster showing.
The MMA Guru picks Rose Namajunas over Amanda Ribas, citing Rose's shot placement and five-round experience. He thinks Ribas' chin is suspect and that Rose will hurt her on the feet. He predicts a second-round rear-naked choke after dropping Ribas with a punch.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manon Fiorot | 0 | 58 of 225 | 25% | 62 of 232 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 60 of 150 | 40% | 60 of 152 | 0 of 6 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:25 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 18 of 88 | 20% | 18 of 89 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 23 of 56 | 41% | 23 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 19 of 69 | 27% | 23 of 75 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 15 of 40 | 37% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 3 | Manon Fiorot | 0 | 21 of 68 | 30% | 21 of 68 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 22 of 54 | 40% | 22 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manon Fiorot | 58 of 225 | 25% | 39 of 197 | 15 of 22 | 4 of 6 | 53 of 214 | 4 of 10 | 1 of 1 |
| Rose Namajunas | 60 of 150 | 40% | 32 of 107 | 15 of 26 | 13 of 17 | 59 of 148 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manon Fiorot | 18 of 88 | 20% | 14 of 82 | 2 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 88 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 23 of 56 | 41% | 11 of 37 | 4 of 8 | 8 of 11 | 23 of 56 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Manon Fiorot | 19 of 69 | 27% | 11 of 55 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 3 | 17 of 62 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 15 of 40 | 37% | 10 of 31 | 4 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 38 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Manon Fiorot | 21 of 68 | 30% | 14 of 60 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 18 of 64 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 |
| Rose Namajunas | 22 of 54 | 40% | 11 of 39 | 7 of 10 | 4 of 5 | 22 of 54 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Fiorot (-185), Namajunas (+154)
Round 1
The bout that likely holds the greatest immediate title implications today comes in the co-main event, between two flyweights. Competing in MMA on French soil for the first time, Nice-born Fiorot (10-1, 5-0 UFC) hopes that a win over former champ Namajunas (11-5, 9-4 UFC) will propel her to the top of the weight class. On the other side of the equation, “Thug Rose” will be making her first jaunt to 125 pounds after multiple championship reigns down at strawweight. The size difference is not as significant as some might expect, and the women will have upwards of 15 minutes to state their case as elite members of the division. As referee Rich Mitchell stands by, the two ladies decide against bumping fists. Namajunas snaps out a quick right hand, and Fiorot responds with a left. Namajunas lands a low kick, and she pushes off with a side kick as Fiorot crowds her. Namajunas misses with a back fist, and Fiorot lands with a stern right hook. Fiorot stands fearlessly in front of her opponent, and she misses with a one-two and tries to catch her with a second. Namajunas slides to the side and sneak out a left hook. Fiorot catches Namajunas before the former champ can get off a combination, and she connects with a body shot when Namajunas closes the distance. Namajunas kicks low and shoots for a single, and the Frenchwoman tosses her aside with little effort. Fiorot keeps her range with a low kick and lunging jab, and her kicks are successfully keeping Namajunas at bay. Fiorot gets off a jab and a one-two, and Namajunas parries the latter. Namajunas beats Fiorot to the punch with a left hand, and she lands this same punch two more times. Namajunas kicks the lead leg, and Fiorot backs her off with short combinations of punches. Namajunas lands one kick and takes three punches off the top before she can reset. Namajunas manages to get in a single left, and Fiorot ignores it. Fiorot misses with a strike, and Namajunas slips her and connects cleanly with a left hand. As the former champ blocks a kick, she meanders forward and evades the other strikes with decent head movement. Namajunas drops down to her knees to snatch up a single, and Fiorot shuts it down and gets away. Fiorot lands cleanly with a left hand on the nose, and she bats Namajunas away with a side kick. The round ends with Fiorot jabbing.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 2
Between rounds, Namajunas informs her corner that she broke her right pink finger, and partner Pat Barry says “that’s alright, you don’t need her finger.” Namajunas is not discouraged despite the potential injury, and she is ready to resume action. Namajunas gets in Fiorot’s face early with a flurry of punches, and Fiorot stays composed and does not take many strikes cleanly. Fiorot boxes Namajunas up with a few shots ending with a short right hook, and two punches send Namajunas off-balance. Namajunas topples over, and she climbs to her knees and up as Fiorot rushes at her. Namajunas fights her way out of the clinch, only to absorb a flush knee to the body. Namajunas swipes out with a left, and her strikes do not have near the impact compared to her opponent’s – and the size difference does appear to be widening the competitive gap between the two. Fiorot takes a hook kick on the nose, and she leans back to dodge a subsequent spinning wheel kick in the nick of time. Fiorot spams punches, and Namajunas evades every single one and comes back with a right hand over the top. Fiorot times a head kick as Namajunas comes in on her, and Namajunas is able to respond with a huge right hand that shakes Fiorot up at the same time Fiorot tosses a side kick. Namajunas uses the moment to pursue a takedown, but Fiorot outmuscles her and keeps herself upright before breaking free. Namajunas lands a right hand on the break, and she holds her guard high to defend against a kick. Both women swing at the same time and duck down, and their heads clack together as a sizeable cut opens on Fiorot’s right temple. Fiorot pays it no mind and tells Mitchell she is fine, and the blood flow is not presenting any issues. Namajunas times a left hand on that target, and she gets pushed back from a side kick. Fiorot sweeps the leg, and she absorbs a good right hand on the way out. Namajunas scores a short left, but Fiorot lands two back at her. Namajunas swings hard, and she does land a left hook, only for Fiorot to completely ignore it as the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot
Round 3
There is no plan on a glove touch to start the last round, and instead Namajunas is ready to go to battle and try to pull off a comeback. Namajunas lets go with a head kick and shoots for a single, and Fiorot blocks the former and stuffs the latter. Namajunas resets and chops at the lead leg, and she darts forward with a pair of punches that whiz past the Frenchwoman. Namajunas whips a left hand over the top, and she lands another before changing levels. Fiorot will not allow herself to be taken down, and she bucks out of the posture and gets back to kickboxing range. Fiorot gets off a stomp kick to the knee, and Namajunas rushes at her opponent only to miss wide. Namajunas sticks Fiorot during an exchange, and Fiorot retaliates with a trio of punches. Fiorot comes up just short when trying to counter a leg kick, and she absorbs a flush right hand but keeps on moving. The former champ scores a right hand, but it is one-and-done as Fiorot is well away from any strikes that could possibly follow. Fiorot snipes with her jab and swiping right hook, using it to stop Namajunas from getting on the inside. Namajunas chases after Fiorot, and they trade head kicks – Fiorot’s lands much harder. Namajunas tries to cut off the cage, but Fiorot is elusive and her timing is erratic enough to not let Namajunas track her down. Namajunas dings her foe with three left hooks, and Fiorot slips but gathers herself and leans back against the wall instead of falling down. Namajunas looks for a few strikes, and Fiorot breaks off and escapes. Namajunas continues her pursuit, and Fiorot gets out of danger and watches a spin kick soar past her as time elapses.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (30-27 Fiorot)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (30-27 Fiorot)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Fiorot (30-27 Fiorot)
The Official Result
Manon Fiorot def. Rose Namajunas via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is confident Manon Fiorot dominates, citing her size, power, and volume. He notes Rose Namajunas is moving up in weight and lacks volume compared to Manon. He points out Manon has landed more strikes in each of her last five wins than Rose did in five-round fights. He has parlayed Manon with Ange Loosa.
Big Brady picks Fiorot, citing her size, strength, power, and volume advantage over the smaller Namajunas moving up from strawweight. He doubts Rose can outgrapple, outvolume, or knock out Fiorot. He expects Fiorot to win a decision, though he acknowledges Rose's striking talent and calls it an interesting test.
Cody picks Fiorot due to size and strength advantages at flyweight, and questions Rose's motivation after a lackluster performance against Esparza. He notes Rose's striking advantages were not used in that fight and she has been off for a year. Fiorot's kicking game and French crowd support are key factors. Cody sees Rose's offensive wrestling as a potential path but doubts she can take down or hold down a strong flyweight.
Daniel Levi picks Manon Fiorot, arguing that Fiorot's elusive, outside-fighting style will frustrate Rose Namajunas, who thrives in pocket boxing exchanges. He believes Fiorot will use sidekicks and movement to keep Rose at range, preventing her from letting her hands go. Levi dismisses the size narrative, stating that Fiorot is not a pressure grappler so the weight class difference is irrelevant. He expects a clear 30-27 decision, noting that Fiorot has a history of outpointing tough opponents like Mayra Bueno Silva.
Lucrative James is on Fiorot, having bet on her almost every fight. He thinks Fiorot is legit, top-five material, and that Rose is meeting her at the wrong time. He notes Rose's mental issues, long layoff, career-worst performance, and step up in weight. He believes Fiorot is bigger and stronger, and that Rose hasn't been finished except by Carla Esparza long ago. He likes Fiorot by points at +140, as he doesn't see a finish.
I'm leaning with Fiorot here. She has great takedown defense and a dynamic striking style with power and volume. Rose is a wild card mentally and may struggle with the weight cut to flyweight. Fiorot's footwork and ability to stay at distance should allow her to land significant strikes. However, I don't have a boatload of confidence because Rose has the experience advantage and could potentially get takedowns if she closes the distance. I think Fiorot wins by decision.
Paul also picks Fiorot, emphasizing her size and strength advantage. He doubts Rose's motivation and notes her inability to engage against Esparza. Paul thinks Rose's offensive wrestling could be a factor but that Fiorot's takedown defense and submission defense are solid. He expects a striking affair where Fiorot's speed and kicking game prevail, likely by decision (29-28 or 30-27).
The MMA Guru picks Manon Fiorot by TKO, citing her physicality and dangerous stand-up, while Rose Namajunas appears mentally checked out. He notes Rose's lack of activity, her poor performance against Carla Esparza, and her loss in a grappling match. He believes Fiorot will overwhelm Rose with a flurry of punches in round one.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carla Esparza | 0 | 37 of 136 | 27% | 38 of 137 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 30 of 133 | 22% | 30 of 133 | 2 of 11 | 18% | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 4 of 19 | 21% | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 4 of 19 | 21% | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 3 of 14 | 21% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 4 of 22 | 18% | 4 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 11 of 36 | 30% | 11 of 36 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 9 of 32 | 28% | 9 of 32 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 | |
| 4 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 6 of 28 | 21% | 7 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 8 of 29 | 27% | 8 of 29 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:20 | |
| 5 | Carla Esparza | 0 | 13 of 39 | 33% | 13 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 31 | 16% | 5 of 31 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carla Esparza | 37 of 136 | 27% | 30 of 122 | 6 of 12 | 1 of 2 | 36 of 135 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 30 of 133 | 22% | 15 of 108 | 4 of 11 | 11 of 14 | 27 of 128 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carla Esparza | 4 of 19 | 21% | 4 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 4 of 19 | 21% | 2 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Carla Esparza | 3 of 14 | 21% | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 4 of 22 | 18% | 1 of 17 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Carla Esparza | 11 of 36 | 30% | 10 of 33 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 9 of 32 | 28% | 7 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Carla Esparza | 6 of 28 | 21% | 6 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 8 of 29 | 27% | 3 of 22 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Carla Esparza | 13 of 39 | 33% | 7 of 30 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Rose Namajunas | 5 of 31 | 16% | 2 of 24 | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 5 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas despite acknowledging Carla's wrestling. He argues that Weili Zhang took Rose down five times but still lost, and that Carla's top pressure isn't as good as it should be. He believes Rose only has to worry about the wrestling, whereas Weili was a threat on the feet too.
Big Brady picks Rose Namajunas to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He acknowledges that Esparza will likely take Rose down multiple times, as Rose's takedown defense is only 51% and she hasn't faced many wrestlers. However, he believes Rose's get-up game and activity off her back will prevent Esparza from holding her down for long. On the feet, Rose has a clear advantage. He notes that if this were a three-round fight, he might pick Esparza, but over five rounds, Esparza's wrestling-heavy style is harder to sustain. He is not in love with the price tag.
Cody agrees with Paul, picking Rose Namajunas. He notes that Esparza's wrestling was effective a lifetime ago but Rose has improved her grappling significantly. Cody cites Tatiana Suarez's take that Esparza isn't physically strong and may not outmuscle Rose. He points out that Esparza has never fought into a fourth round, while Rose has championship-round experience. Cody believes Rose can nullify takedowns, get back up, and eventually win by late stoppage or decision.
Daniel Levi picks Rose Namajunas but is not confident, calling it a 'dog or pass' fight. He acknowledges Carla Esparza will land takedowns and has a path to victory, but believes Rose has more ways to win, especially on the feet. He says he would take Rose if the odds were closer to pick'em, but at -220 he is not betting. He respects the value on Esparza at plus 180 and thinks the true odds are around Rose -145 to -150.
The host picks Rose Namajunas, believing her striking and range management have improved significantly since their first fight. He expects Rose to focus on defending takedowns and getting back to her feet. He notes Carla's takedowns can be sloppy and she doesn't do much damage on top. He thinks Rose's ability to create space and her deceptive power will be key. He is not betting Rose at -205, but likes under 4.5 rounds at +135.
Paul picks Rose Namajunas, calling it a straightforward striker vs grappler matchup. He believes Rose's camp has focused on sprawl training and that if the fight stays on the feet, Esparza cannot compete. Paul suggests live betting Esparza if she gets an early takedown, but overall expects Rose to retain her title. He notes the -210 line might be a bit wide but still favors Rose.
The MMA Guru picks Rose Namajunas, citing her improved stand-up and grappling. He notes that Esparza's recent wins have been close and that she doesn't dominate on the ground anymore. He believes Namajunas will stuff takedowns, chew up Esparza's legs, and eventually submit her in the fourth round via rear-naked choke. He mentions the odds are close because Esparza has a previous win, but thinks Namajunas is the better fighter.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 0 | 86 of 168 | 51% | 130 of 219 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 7:00 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 83 of 173 | 47% | 162 of 272 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 0 | 0 | 3:37 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 20 of 36 | 55% | 22 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 22 of 38 | 57% | 36 of 56 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:08 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 20 of 45 | 44% | 22 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 16 of 39 | 41% | 21 of 44 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 14 of 38 | 36% | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 25 of 51 | 49% | 29 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:57 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 14 of 23 | 60% | 39 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 2:32 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 12 of 27 | 44% | 32 of 50 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 18 of 26 | 69% | 31 of 44 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:55 |
| Zhang Weili | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 44 of 67 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 86 of 168 | 51% | 57 of 131 | 12 of 17 | 17 of 20 | 60 of 136 | 6 of 6 | 20 of 26 |
| Zhang Weili | 83 of 173 | 47% | 36 of 112 | 14 of 16 | 33 of 45 | 64 of 138 | 5 of 8 | 14 of 27 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 20 of 36 | 55% | 11 of 25 | 3 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 33 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Zhang Weili | 22 of 38 | 57% | 6 of 19 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 14 | 19 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 20 of 45 | 44% | 12 of 36 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 16 of 39 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 |
| Zhang Weili | 16 of 39 | 41% | 6 of 28 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 13 of 36 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 14 of 38 | 36% | 11 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Zhang Weili | 25 of 51 | 49% | 13 of 33 | 4 of 4 | 8 of 14 | 19 of 43 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 14 of 23 | 60% | 9 of 16 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 |
| Zhang Weili | 12 of 27 | 44% | 6 of 20 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 16 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 9 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 18 of 26 | 69% | 14 of 21 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 17 |
| Zhang Weili | 8 of 18 | 44% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 |
Angelo picks Zhang Weili, believing she will make adjustments after the first fight. He thinks Weili will protect her chin, push the pace, and use her boxing to outwork Rose. He notes that Rose's win came from a single head kick and that there wasn't much to analyze from the short fight. He sees Weili's power and determination as key factors.
Big Brady picks Zhang Weili to win by decision. He notes Zhang's power, volume, and cardio advantage, while Rose may slow down as the fight goes on. Brady thinks the first few rounds will be competitive, but Zhang's pressure and durability will wear on Rose. He also mentions Zhang's move to Fight Ready and her takedown potential, though Rose is dangerous on the ground. He expects Zhang to win down the stretch, possibly with a late finish.
Cody agrees with Paul, citing Rose's precision striking and ability to find openings. He notes Zhang's durability but believes Rose's technique and submission game give her the edge. He compares it to Rose's first win over Joanna and sees value in the champion as an underdog.
Daniel Levi picks Rose Namajunas to defend her belt, expressing that the line is disrespectful to Rose at plus 105. He believes Rose is the better striker with more power and setups, and that Zhang Weili may be in denial about the first fight. Levi expects adjustments from Zhang, such as calf kicks, but thinks Rose's toughness and experience in rematches (3-0) will carry her. He notes that Rose is undefeated at Madison Square Garden and that Zhang's cardio advantage may be overstated.
Jacob picks Rose Namajunas, saying he will never bet against her again. He believes Weili's new focus on wrestling with Henry Cejudo could backfire, as Rose has excellent jiu-jitsu. He has a moneyline bet and a submission prop on Rose. He thinks Rose has the 'it factor' and thrives in big moments.
The host leans Zhang by decision, expecting her to use takedowns to sway judges in close rounds. He thinks the fight goes 25 minutes and likes the over 4.5 rounds at -125. He notes Zhang's new camp but limited time to adjust.
Paul picks Rose as a live underdog, noting she knocked Zhang out in the first fight and is being undervalued. He questions Zhang's wrestling improvements with Cejudo and believes Rose's precision striking and submission threat are key. He sees the line as too easy to pass up.
The Guru picks Rose Namajunas, citing her youth, reach advantage, and grappling edge. He believes Zhang's mindset will be affected by her first KO loss and the crowd booing her. The Guru predicts a third-round rear-naked choke submission, noting Namajunas' ability to bounce back and her training with Trevor Wittman.
Tracy Cortez - Fight History
AJ picks Kong Wang to win, citing her elite kickboxing, takedown defense, and improved grappling. He believes Wang's striking will be too much for Tracy Cortez, who relies on wrestling. He notes Wang survived a bad position against Eduardo Mora and expects her to fend off takedowns and out-strike Cortez.
AJ is not very interested in betting this fight but leans toward Wang winning by decision. He notes that Wang by decision at +250 is a possibility, though he thinks Cortez might try takedowns but Wang's ground game is underrated. He mentions the fight is expected to go over 2.5 rounds.
AJ picks Wang Cong, citing her superior kickboxing, speed, and elusiveness. He acknowledges the takedown threat from Cortez but believes Wang's takedown defense and ability to get back up will be key. AJ expects a close decision win for Wang, though he notes there are more confident bets on the card.
AJ leans toward Wang Cong, noting her striking is sick and fast, and her getup is fine. He thinks Cortez's takedowns and control don't bring a massive sub threat, so Wang should be chilling. He also mentions Wang survived Eduarda Moura's jiu-jitsu which is better than Cortez's.
AJ picks Wang Cong nervously, indicating a hesitant lean. No further reasoning is provided in the transcript.
Angelo leans towards Wang Cong, citing her superior striking and rapid improvement, while Tracy Cortez has stagnated. He notes Tracy's wrestling is good but Wang's takedown defense is improving. He thinks the fight will be one-sided either way, with Wang likely winning by striking.
Angelo picks Wang Cong because she is a former professional kickboxer with fast, powerful striking and improved takedown defense. He believes Tracy Cortez's only path is grinding out a decision with wrestling, but judges may favor Cong's striking. He notes that Cong has multiple ways to win while Cortez has only one, and the line movement makes sense.
Big Brady leans towards Cortez as a live dog, citing her grappling advantage. He notes Wang Cong has terrible grappling and ground game, as seen in the Mara fight, while Cortez has excellent control and a big butt that makes it hard to get her off. However, he worries Cortez might not care anymore. He sees the path: take Wang down, win rounds. He might bet Cortez by decision.
Big Brady picks Tracy Cortez to win by decision. He criticizes Wang Cong's poor ground game, citing rookie mistakes in her last fight, and believes Cortez's wrestling and top control will be decisive. He notes Cortez's underrated striking and ability to keep opponents down once she takes them down. He expresses slight concern about Cortez's motivation but sees her as the clear pick.
Big Brady passes on this fight after missing the line on Cortez at plus money. He thinks Cortez should win due to her ground advantage but is worried about her mentality and infrequent fighting. He does not make a pick.
Cody picks Tracy Cortez, emphasizing her wrestling background and ability to take down opponents. He notes Wang Cong's striking credentials but questions her takedown defense and durability. He believes Cortez can grind out a win.
Daniel Levi picks Tracy Cortez to upset Wang Cong, contingent on Cortez implementing her wrestling. He notes Cortez's skills are there but her mental focus is questionable. Levi believes Cortez can get a submission or win a decision if she is mentally prepared, but acknowledges Wang Cong's striking advantage and Cortez's potential distractions.
Jacob picks Wang Cong, noting that Tracy Cortez is solid but doesn't excel anywhere and has squeaked by against lesser competition. He believes Cong's takedown defense has improved and if she defends takedowns, Cortez will be in trouble. He thinks Cortez is too willing to exchange on the feet and goes to wrestling too late.
Lucrative James picks Tracy Cortez via decision, citing her superior wrestling and grappling. He acknowledges Wang's striking advantage but believes Cortez can take Wang down and control her, as Wang's bottom game was exposed against Eduarda Moura. He notes Wang's slow-building style and Cortez's durability, predicting a close fight where Cortez's grappling edge wins rounds.
The host believes Cortez's grappling and experience will prevail. He expects her to find spots to drag Wang to the ground and make it look easier as the fight goes deeper, winning by decision.
The host believes Cortez's wrestling will be the decisive factor, as she can take Wang down and grind her out. He acknowledges Wang's striking advantage but thinks the grappling gap is wider, and Cortez's cardio will hold up better than Wang's previous opponents.
Paul has no pick for this fight, calling it a 'pick 'em' and saying he will steer clear entirely. He notes question marks around both fighters and does not have a take.
The MMA Guru picks Wang Cong to win by TKO finish. He believes Wang Cong is more committed and has better striking than Tracy Cortez. He notes that Cortez is decent but has other options, while fighting is everything to Wang Cong. He expects Wang Cong to unload shots and finish Cortez.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 52 of 116 | 44% | 65 of 134 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 2:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 46 of 104 | 44% | 50 of 108 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 43 of 92 | 46% | 43 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 32 of 76 | 42% | 33 of 77 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 0 | 9 of 24 | 37% | 22 of 42 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 2:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 14 of 28 | 50% | 17 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:30 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Blanchfield | 52 of 116 | 44% | 38 of 100 | 6 of 8 | 8 of 8 | 51 of 115 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 46 of 104 | 44% | 35 of 88 | 7 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 45 of 100 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erin Blanchfield | 43 of 92 | 46% | 32 of 80 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 42 of 91 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 32 of 76 | 42% | 25 of 64 | 4 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 31 of 72 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Erin Blanchfield | 9 of 24 | 37% | 6 of 20 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 14 of 28 | 50% | 10 of 24 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Blanchfield (-258), Cortez (+210)
Round 1
Blake Grice is the referee. Cortez lands a jab and Blanchfield answers with an inside leg kick. Cortez is firing off combinations early as Blanchfield moves forward. Cortez fires off a 1-2 and Blanchfield counters. Cortez connects with a left as Blanchfild moves forward. Cortez is doing well with her handspeed and combinations thus far. Cortez fends off Blanchfield with a knee to the body. Blanchfield pumps her jab in Cortez’s face. A nice body kick lands for Blanchfield and the flyweights exchnage in the pocket. Cortez pressures behind punches. B lanchfield connects with a jab but Cortez continues to find the range on her right hand. No takedowns attempted yet, as Cortez follows a combination with a knee. Blanchfield works behind her jab. Cortez with a knee inside, but Blanchfiled answers with a combination. Another knee down the middle lands for Cortez. Blanchfield sticks the jab again. Blanchfiled counters a body kick. They trade jabs late in the round. Blanchfield ends the frame with a long right hand and a short elbow from the clinch just before the horn.
Sherdog Scores
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 2
Cortez gets right to work, firing off punches in the center of the cage. A straight right lands for Cortez. Cortez is the first to shoot and she gets her opponent down. However, Blanchfield is able to reverse off an errant back take by Cortez. Cortez stands but Blanchfield has a body lock. Blanchfield grinds away against the fence, applying pressure. Blanchfield attempts to change levels, but Cortez is doing well to stay upright. They break at the 2:45 mark. Cortez lands anotehr solid combination. A stiff jab finds the mark for Blanchfield. A counter right from Cortez follows a front kick by Blanchfield. Cortez catches a body kick but it landed nonetheless. Blanchfield forces the clinch and trips Cortez down for her first takedown of the bout. Blanchfield is thinking about an arm triangle choke but she’s in half guard near the fence. Blanchfield flurries with short shots as Cortez stands. Blanchfield keeps the pressure on near the fence. Blanchfield connects her hands and drives Cortez down all the way across the Octagon. Cortez quickly hustles to her feet, but she doesn’t defend the rear-naked choke from her opponent.
Blanchfield drags Cortez down, and even though “Cold Blooded” is off to the side, the choke is more than tight enough to elicit a tap.
Not only is Blanchfield the first woman to finish Cortez in UFC competition, but she avenges a loss that occurred under the Invicta FC banner in February 2019.
The Official Result
Erin Blanchfield def. Tracy Cortez via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 4:44
Angelo picks Erin Blanchfield despite considering Tracy Cortez's wrestling. He values Blanchfield's relentless pressure and scrambling ability. He notes Cortez is often at events and may not be training enough. He suggests over 2.5 rounds and a plus 3.5 bet on Cortez as possibilities.
Big Brady leans Erin Blanchfield, believing her grappling advantage will be decisive. He notes Tracy Cortez has only 62% takedown defense and has been taken down multiple times by Rose Namajunas and others. Brady thinks Blanchfield's top control and submission skills are superior once the fight hits the ground, and predicts a decision win. He acknowledges the line is wide and a case can be made for Cortez.
Cody picks Blanchfield, noting that she has improved significantly since their first fight six years ago, especially her striking. He points out that Cortez has not evolved and has been inactive. Cody believes Blanchfield's wrestling and pressure will be too much, and she will win by decision. He also mentions that Blanchfield is younger and more motivated.
Connor also leans toward Cortez, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Cortez is an inch taller than Blanchfield, which is surprising, and that Blanchfield's aggressive style may lead to her giving things away. He thinks Cortez can win out scrambles and that Blanchfield's one-size-fits-all approach may not work.
Daniel sees Blanchfield as the more evolved fighter since their first fight, with relentless pressure and a never-quit attitude. He notes that Cortez struggles when she is the nail, while Blanchfield has shown she can overcome adversity. He expects Blanchfield to avenge her loss and continue her rise.
Lucrative James picks Erin Blanchfield to win, citing her superior grappling and submission skills. He believes Cortez will engage in wrestling, which plays into Blanchfield's strengths, as she is a better MMA grappler and dangerous from top position. He notes Blanchfield's ability to submit opponents from any position, as seen in her previous win over Cortez. He expects Blanchfield to win via submission or dominant decision.
Blanchfield lands bigger shots on the feet and eventually lands takedowns for control and BJJ superiority. Cortez may be the better wrestler on paper, but Blanchfield gets her hand raised on the scorecards.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing that Blanchfield's striking has improved the most. He notes that Cortez's takedown defense is not great and that Blanchfield will likely control the fight. Paul also mentions that Blanchfield has a home-field advantage and that the fight will likely go to decision. He likes the over 2.5 rounds prop.
The Guru picks Erin Blanchfield to win by 29-28 decision. He believes Blanchfield's grappling and physicality will be decisive, though she may lose the first round. He criticizes Cortez's focus on appearance (fake eyelashes) and notes Blanchfield's win over Rose Namajunas as a better benchmark. Blanchfield should mix in takedowns and control later rounds.
Zane leans toward Cortez, noting that Cortez has a win over Blanchfield and is a very good scrambler and grappler. He thinks Blanchfield's aggressive style might play into Cortez's hands, as Cortez is comfortable in scrambles. However, he admits it's hard to get a grip on Cortez and that she is still developing.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viviane Araújo | 0 | 22 of 51 | 43% | 39 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 65 of 103 | 63% | 102 of 143 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 1 | 8:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viviane Araújo | 0 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 15 of 24 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:43 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 15 of 20 | 75% | 23 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 2:52 | |
| 2 | Viviane Araújo | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 17 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 20 of 43 | 46% | 25 of 49 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:15 | |
| 3 | Viviane Araújo | 0 | 5 of 9 | 55% | 7 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 30 of 40 | 75% | 54 of 66 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:10 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viviane Araújo | 22 of 51 | 43% | 16 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 19 of 48 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 65 of 103 | 63% | 53 of 82 | 8 of 14 | 4 of 7 | 24 of 53 | 2 of 5 | 39 of 45 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viviane Araújo | 5 of 13 | 38% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 10 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 15 of 20 | 75% | 10 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 13 | |
| 2 | Viviane Araújo | 12 of 29 | 41% | 8 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 20 of 43 | 46% | 15 of 33 | 4 of 7 | 1 of 3 | 15 of 36 | 1 of 3 | 4 of 4 | |
| 3 | Viviane Araújo | 5 of 9 | 55% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 30 of 40 | 75% | 28 of 35 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 23 of 28 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cortez (-250), Araujo (+205)
Round 1
That one fight mentioned earlier that seems as close to a lock as one that goes the distance is here. After two finishes on the card thus far, women’s flyweights take center stage having combined for 17 straight decisions between them. Of the two, Araujo (13-6, 7-5 UFC) is the only woman in the Octagon now who has gotten the job done by stoppage in her UFC career. Arizona native Cortez (11-2, 5-1 UFC) cannot say the same, with her entire UFC tenure consisting of judges’ decisions. Nothing is guaranteed in the sport and anyone is capable of being caught, so fans hope that referee Jason Herzog will need to step in before the final horn blares. They elect not to touch ‘em up.
Cortez moves right to the center of the cage, and both women begin with low kicks and jabs. Cortez shoots for an early takedown, and Araujo staves her off and smacks her in the face with a right hand. This does not deter Cortez, who tries again, and this time, she gets her foe to the mat. Cortez partially takes Araujo’s back during the scramble, but Araujo turns around to briefly put Cortez on her back. Araujo puts Cortez on her knee against the cage, looking to slide a hook in. Araujo gets the second hook in, and she starts connecting with left hands to the eyelashes. Cortez hand-fights and tries to turn out of the bad position, but the Brazilian follows her. Cortez continues to turn herself about until she regains top position.
Cortez opens up with a few elbows from above, with Araujo bucking her off. Cortez leaps back down and belts Araujo with a right hand on the way down, and she positions herself in half guard. Araujo sits up and ignores a guillotine choke setup from the American. Cortez drops down a few 12-to-6 elbows before selling out for a choke attempt. Cortez loses the grip but is still mostly controlling, and she repositions her hands to pursue the sub again. Araujo keeps herself turned to the side until rolling all the way around using the fence to wall off until she is almost giving up north-south to her opponent. Cortez allows her to do this, as it opens up ground strikes for her with her left hand. Cortez stands up to find a way back in, and she connects with a few punches before attacking a power guillotine choke. Cortez pulls guard to lock the choke down, and Araujo flails to try to survive. Before she gets choked out, the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 2
The flyweights meet in the middle to engage in the second round, with Cortez leading the dance with a chopping low kick. Araujo skips her way forward behind her jab, but she bounces on her heels to prepare herself for the potential takedown. Both women trade right hands, with Cortez connecting the heavier of the two. Araujo backs off and hops forward with a right hand, but it is one-and-done as she is quite aware a takedown could come at any minute. Cortez stands her up with a spinning back elbow, and she flicks out a couple jabs for good measure. The jabs start to have a measurable effect on the Brazilian’s nose, who surges forward with a few punches extended. Araujo tosses aside the takedown that comes when Cortez backs herself to the wall.
Cortez fires off a one-two that sets up a takedown entry, only to back off when a head kick is aimed at her. Cortez gets off another one-two and a body kick, but it is Araujo who lands the cleaner with a heavy counter. Cortez uses her jab to keep the advancing Brazilian at bay, switching stances to fake a level change that Araujo bites on. Cortez sells out for a takedown, using it to bully Araujo to the fencing. Araujo stays on her feet but takes a knee to the liver when defending. Cortez aims another to the same spot and drops down for a double. Araujo defends by jumping guard with a guillotine, and Cortez easily slides out. Cortez lets her to do this and drops down a thudding elbow. Araujo turns to set up an armbar, but Cortez fights out of it. Araujo pushes her off, and the ladies fight to their feet at the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 3
The last round begins much like the second started, with jabs from both sides. Araujo pushes off with a front kick, and Cortez takes it like a champ and uses it to take the fight to the floor. When Cortez looks to establish top position, Araujo strikes from off her back. Cortez lets her have it with ground strikes, shifting her hips to half guard to keep the Brazilian flat on her back. Cortez embraces the grind.
The ladies start jawing at one another when in this position, and Cortez unleashes a storm of ground-and-pound. Araujo turns to her side to defend from the bombardment, but this opens up Cortez to an arm-triangle choke. Cortez is on the wrong side, and she loses the position when Araujo turns to her belly. Cortez follows her and takes her back with a hook in, and she sits up and elbows Araujo on the side and back of the head. Araujo turns to possibly pursue a single, or otherwise looks for a way out, but time is not on her side. Araujo complains about something, and when time expires, Cortez shoves her off aggressively. The Arizona native’s eyelashes remain intact after 15 minutes of combat, and her streak remains unbroken with decisions account for her whole UFC career.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (30-27 Cortez)
Christian Laporte scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (30-27 Cortez)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (30-27 Cortez)
The Official Result
Tracy Cortez def. Viviane Araujo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Angelo slightly picks Tracy Cortez because he expects her grappling to wear down Viviane Araújo as the fight goes on, given Araújo's cardio fades and she is 38 years old. He acknowledges that Araújo is the better striker and has good takedown defense, but thinks Cortez can grind out a win. He also suggests the over on the round line is a safe bet, noting that women's fights often go over.
Big Brady thinks Cortez is the better striker and younger, and expects the fight to take place at distance where Cortez will outland Araújo. He notes Araújo has been outlanded at distance in recent fights and is 38 years old. Brady believes Cortez can also mix in takedowns. However, he is surprised by the -230 line, thinking it's too wide, but still picks Cortez to win by decision.
Connor also picks Cortez, agreeing with Zane. He notes Araujo's predictability and that she may be losing a step. Cortez's boxing and ability to stay on the front foot should be enough to win.
The host is leaning Cortez, believing her wrestling will break down Araújo and lead to dominant second and third rounds, winning on the scorecards.
The host picks Tracy Cortez but is hesitant, expecting a close competitive decision. He notes that Cortez has crisper boxing while Araújo is more well-rounded, and that the fight is likely to be a 29-28 decision. He is tempted by Araújo's underdog odds but ultimately goes with Cortez, believing the judges will favor her in a close fight.
Zane picks Cortez, noting her determination and progression in striking, especially in the Namajunas fight. He sees Araujo as a one-idea fighter who relies on speed and can be outworked. Cortez's willingness to box and better top control give her the edge.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 1 | 96 of 180 | 53% | 119 of 215 | 5 of 5 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 6:36 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 58 of 198 | 29% | 85 of 233 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 1 | 26 of 50 | 52% | 30 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:28 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 12 of 43 | 27% | 14 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 26 of 46 | 56% | 27 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 11 of 41 | 26% | 12 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:16 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 15 of 31 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 3:47 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 17 of 35 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:06 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 12 of 44 | 27% | 15 of 49 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:24 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 0 | 28 of 44 | 63% | 30 of 46 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 21 of 61 | 34% | 36 of 81 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Namajunas | 96 of 180 | 53% | 66 of 146 | 17 of 20 | 13 of 14 | 93 of 175 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 58 of 198 | 29% | 31 of 162 | 14 of 17 | 13 of 19 | 52 of 189 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rose Namajunas | 26 of 50 | 52% | 16 of 39 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 26 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 12 of 43 | 27% | 4 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 10 | 12 of 43 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Rose Namajunas | 26 of 46 | 56% | 16 of 33 | 5 of 7 | 5 of 6 | 25 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 11 of 41 | 26% | 7 of 36 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 40 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rose Namajunas | 5 of 12 | 41% | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 2 of 9 | 22% | 1 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Rose Namajunas | 11 of 28 | 39% | 8 of 25 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 12 of 44 | 27% | 7 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 10 of 40 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Rose Namajunas | 28 of 44 | 63% | 21 of 37 | 6 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 28 of 43 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Tracy Cortez | 21 of 61 | 34% | 12 of 50 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 4 | 19 of 58 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Namajunas (-218), Cortez (+180)
Round 1
We have reached the main event to conclude the patchwork but still entertaining fight card. Former strawweight queen Namajunas (12-6, 10-5 UFC) prepared to fight on home soil, and she initially planned on facing Amanda Ribas. With this show shredded due to multiple fighter withdrawals, including the main attraction, it now falls to Cortez (11-1, 5-0 UFC) to pick up the reins in the blue corner. Cortez puts her lengthy win streak on the line, while Namajunas hopes to cement herself as a contender in her new weight class. The two will be joined in the cage by referee Herb Dean, who brings them together to tap gloves. It’s go time. Cortez shifts right to the center of the cage to begin, and they both pursue leg kicks early on. Both women land them, but Namajunas’ are far heavier. Namajunas prods out a jab and is met with a calf kick on the inside, and she connects with a one-two that catches Cortez by surprise. A leg kick from Cortez is countered by a right hand, and Namajunas reaches her right after with a front kick and a left hook. Cortez changes stances to work her way in, but Namajunas’ strikes are sharper and having a much more significant effect. “Thug Rose” puts Cortez on her seat courtesy of a stunning left hook, and she pounces to reach her foe’s guard. Namajunas lands a few strikes from above before abandoning this track and backing off to stand back up. Cortez follows her, and she walks right into a right hand. Cortez tries to crash the pocket to get her back, but the jabs from Namajunas are accurate and constant. Cortez attacks with a body kick, and she pulls back with a knee as she is nearly reached with a quick counter. Namajunas fires off a one-two as Cortez nods at her, and she pops out a jab and blocks a high kick. Namajunas’ jab is her best weapon, shutting down much of Cortez’ offense, although Cortez does get off a hard right hand when the two exchange. One after another, they land low kicks, and Namajunas lunges with a right hand and follows it with a speedy jab. The leg kicks from Namajunas draw some hesitation from Cortez, who preemptively raises up her leg a few times in hopes of checking one. Namajunas gets off a few more punches, and the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 2
The second round begins with both ladies willing to engage, and they do just that. Namajunas lands a few punches, pulls back, and Cortez motions at her to bring on more. Cortez tries to counter, and Namajunas is out of position before getting reached. Cortez gets inside to land a pair of right hands, and Namajunas fires back with a left hook to force a break. Namajunas scores a left that makes Cortez blink rapidly, and Cortez gathers herself and tosses out a low kick. Namajunas chains a few punches together into a leg kick, and she is out of the way before she gets reached back. Namajunas beats Cortez to the punch on one exchange, and she whips a kick up and around the guard to slam Cortez in the face. Cortez sits down on a few punches, and she strikes her way into a takedown effort. Namajunas defends it, and Cortez slides around to take the back standing. Namajunas slips out of the dangerous position, and Cortez sets up a standing guillotine choke. Namajunas calmly works her way out of the submission try, and she lands a right hand on the break. Namajunas lances out a stunning right hand, and Cortez takes a moment before deciding what next to do. Lashing out with a left and two right hands, Cortez strikes back, and Namajunas slips out of the pocket and pops her with a quick counter. “Thug Rose” sneaks in a jab and is out of range in time to avoid anything possibly flying her direction. Namajunas dips and reaches with another jab, and she walks through a front kick to put two punches on the chin. They both miss with front kicks, and Namajunas lands a thudding leg kick. Namajunas rushes forward, hitting a trip with the body lock and putting Cortez on her back for a few seconds before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 3
Namajunas is quick to get things going, and Cortez answers her with intensity and several powerful strikes. Namajunas nails her foe with a body kick and a few punches, and when Cortez swings back, Namajunas hits an easy takedown and even more easily moves into full mount. Cortez scoots her way to the fence, and she tries to hand-fight to defend herself from most of the ground strikes. Namajunas stays heavy and lands a few strikes, and when Cortez scrambles, Namajunas sets up a guillotine choke in response. Cortez fights out of it and wall-walks to get back to her feet, and they jockey for position in the clinch. Cortez tries for her own trip, and Namajunas muscles her opponent to the mat. Namajunas slips into three-quarter mount practically when landing, maintaining a dominant position until getting full mount. Cortez uses two-on-one wrist control to try to hang onto Namajunas’ left arm, and Namajunas shakes out of the grip and drops down some ground-and-pound. Cortez pushes her feet off the wall to get some space, and Namajunas follows her to take the back and briefly fish for a rear-naked choke. Namajunas resides on the back with a hook in, and she wrenches on a half nelson with Cortez’ arm in the air before moving into a more traditional position of half guard. Cortez looks to sit up and manages to climb back up to her feet, and Namajunas backs off to reset. Namajunas misses with a one-two, but a front kick from “Thug Rose” makes Cortez take a quick count of her teeth. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 4
Namajunas jabs early and often as the two reach the championship rounds. Cortez replies with two probing low kicks, and she chases after Namajunas and kicks her in the head. Namajunas eats it like an edible and punches her way into the clinch, where she presses the Arizona native to the fencing. Cortez knees her way out of the tie-up and walks “Thug Rose” down, but she does not throw anything of note. Instead, it is Namajunas who attempts a strike, albeit an inaccurate head kick. Cortez has her head snapped back from a jab, and she cannot pay Namajunas back before Namajunas is out of the way. Cortez lands a body shot and is countered, and she puts her hands together but soon finds herself on the canvas when Namajunas succeeds in tripping her up with a double. Cortez uses the fence to climb back to her feet, not letting Namajunas take her back this time when they scramble, but she is stuck against the wall. Namajunas backs away to return to her preferred jabbing range, and she jabs and clips Cortez with a left hook. Namajunas lands, dodges and lands again, with Cortez hitting air much of the time. Cortez has a body kick miss, and Namajunas’ head movement and footwork are giving her fits. Namajunas pokes out a jab, and Cortez shoots for a double and pushes Namajunas to the wall. Namajunas stands up after being dragged to a knee, and Cortez presses tightly against her, ignoring a knee to the belly so she can give one back. The round ends, and Cortez appears dismayed as she walks to her corner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Namajunas
Round 5
The final round begins with Cortez knowing she has to finish the fight or lose. She decides that it is time to throw down, and she walks Namajunas down and slings punches. Namajunas meets her in the middle swinging hands, and both women crack one another with powerful blows. As Namajunas lands a particularly effective strike, Cortez pushes forward to change levels. Namajunas spins her around once her back hits the fence, and Cortez fights out of it. Namajunas stays light on her feet, jabbing and dodging anything of note that comes her direction. Namajunas sits down on a right hand, and Cortez appears fired up from it as she swings back harder. This allows Namajunas to get up close and personal so she can drag her towards the fence, but Cortez wants nothing to do with clinching and she frantically pulls away. Namajunas hits a takedown after shooting from a distance, and Cortez climbs to one knee and then back to her feet, all while backing her way to the cage. Cortez gets away, and both women throw hands and catch one another with left hooks. Cortez points at the ground to signal a brawl, and Namajunas ignores the calls for it and circles away. Namajunas laughs at a second effort from Cortez pointing at the floor, and Cortez is forced to walk after her. Cortez lands several heavy punches, including a few big right hands, and Namajunas has to shake them off. Cortez keeps going forward, loading up with everything she has left, and Namajunas slips a few, eats some more and gives some back. Cortez reaches her with an uppercut and gets knocked back with a left hook, and she raises her arms in the air to bring on more. Namajunas shoots for a takedown, and Cortez stops it and swings for the bleachers. Her forward momentum results in a final clinch, and the evening ends not with a band but a whimper. The one-sided occasion comes to a close, with zero doubt as to who will get their hand raised. The only question is who will be next for former champ Namajunas, who is a bonafide contender in her new division and calls for a title shot. Meanwhile, the long win streak for Cortez grinds to a halt. No matter who they fight next, we will be here for it. We hope you are too.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (49-46 Namajunas)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (49-46 Namajunas)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (49-46 Namajunas)
The Official Result
Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas, citing her superior striking and overall skill. He believes Tracy Cortez's path to victory is through wrestling, but doubts she can take Rose down for 25 minutes, especially since Cortez was training for a three-round fight and now faces five rounds at elevation. He notes that Rose was taken down four times by Amanda Ribas, but Ribas used clinch tosses rather than traditional shots, which are easier to defend. Angelo plans to have multiple bets on Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas, citing her experience at altitude, full camp, and superior striking. He notes Tracy Cortez's inactivity and short notice, and believes Rose's wrestling defense and offensive takedowns will be key. He expects a decision win for Rose.
Daniel Vreeland picks Tracy Cortez to upset Rose Namajunas. He argues that Cortez has a legitimate wrestling background, which historically gives Rose trouble, and that Rose is a 'hot and cold' fighter who struggles when faced with adversity. He notes Cortez's 11-fight win streak and that she was already preparing for a fight next week, so short notice isn't a major issue. He also mentions Rose's age and mileage, suggesting she may be slowing down. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and prefers the plus 185 underdog.
Rose Namajunas has the striking advantage and the cardio edge, especially at altitude. Cortez will land some takedowns, but over 25 minutes, Namajunas will land better strikes and even some takedowns of her own late, cruising to a decision. The line is a bit wide, but the former champion reigns supreme.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Rose's full camp, altitude advantage, and five-round experience. He points out that Cortez's wrestling has been neutralized by upper-echelon opponents and that Rose's scrambling ability will nullify takedowns. He sees Rose winning by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 103 of 212 | 48% | 116 of 225 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 0 | 77 of 206 | 37% | 95 of 225 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 3:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 39 of 75 | 52% | 39 of 75 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 0 | 24 of 63 | 38% | 25 of 64 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 28 of 61 | 45% | 29 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 0 | 18 of 56 | 32% | 32 of 71 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:52 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 36 of 76 | 47% | 48 of 88 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 0 | 35 of 87 | 40% | 38 of 90 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 103 of 212 | 48% | 63 of 164 | 16 of 23 | 24 of 25 | 91 of 198 | 12 of 14 | 0 of 0 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 77 of 206 | 37% | 43 of 148 | 25 of 47 | 9 of 11 | 58 of 176 | 19 of 30 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 39 of 75 | 52% | 20 of 55 | 6 of 6 | 13 of 14 | 34 of 70 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 24 of 63 | 38% | 14 of 47 | 6 of 12 | 4 of 4 | 20 of 57 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 28 of 61 | 45% | 16 of 46 | 7 of 10 | 5 of 5 | 22 of 53 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 18 of 56 | 32% | 11 of 40 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 14 of 48 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 36 of 76 | 47% | 27 of 63 | 3 of 7 | 6 of 6 | 35 of 75 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jasmine Jasudavicius | 35 of 87 | 40% | 18 of 61 | 14 of 22 | 3 of 4 | 24 of 71 | 11 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cortez (-120), Jasudavicius (+100)
Round 1
Women’s flyweights step into the spotlight, as Cortez (10-1, 4-0 UFC) looks to build on a 10-fight winning streak and continue her climb on the 125-pound ladder. Jasudavicius (9-2, 3-1 UFC) steps into the Octagon on the strength of back-to-back victories over Gabriella Fernandes and Miranda Maverick. Jason Herzog serves as the referee. Jasudavicius turns down the glove tap, preferring to get right down to business. They paw at one another with jabs, as Cortez unleashes an inside leg kick and eats a counter right hand from the Canadian. Cortez connects in combination, setting up her attacks with the jab. Jasudavicius lands with a heavy outside leg kick and nearly spins around the Arizonan. Cortez’s hands look considerably sharper. Jasudavicius lands on occasion but lacks the necessary oomph to give her opponent pause. Cortez sneaks in a right hand over the top, fires more punches and finishes a combination with a clean left hook. Cortez shuts down a takedown attempt, threatens the neck and delivers a knee on the exit. Jasudavicius clinches but gets nowhere, and the flyweight separate. Cortez continues to connect in combination until the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 2
Cortez re-asserts herself with a sharp one-two to start the middle stanza. She keeps a safe distance with a push kick to the body, scores with a leg kick and exits into open space. Cortez delivers a knee up the middle at close range and snaps the Canadian’s head sideways with a searing left hook. Jasudavicius needs a change of pace. She backs up Cortez with a pair of head kicks, then throw punches down the middle. Cortez goes headhunting and leaves herself open for a takedown. Jasudavicius takes top position midway through the second round. Cortez, however, wall walks to an upright position but allows her opponent to sneak behind her. Jasudavicius powers her way to another takedown and moves to half guard before chipping away with punches. Cortez builds a base again and gets back to her feet, bracing herself against the fence. Jasudavicius lingers in the clinch for too long and ends up with her back to the cage. They move into open space with 20 seconds left and exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius
Round 3
It looks to be anyone’s fight as Round 3 gets underway. Cortez connects with a right hand over the top and follows it with a leg kick. Jasudavicius presses forward, shoots on the hips and clinches. She works hard for a takedown, only to fail initially. The Canadian pesters Cortez with knees to the head in close quarters but allows her to move to the center of the cage. A clean one-two from Cortez backs up Jasudavicius, energizing the crowd with her efforts. They exchange in the center of the cage. Jasudavicius moves into clinch once more and connects with a knee on the break. Cortez spending too much time moving backward but continues to land, especially with her right hand. Fatigue becoming a factor for both women. Jasudavicius follows a knee with a partially blocked head kick and punches. Trash talk ensues after Jasudavicius gets away with pulling the hair in the center of the cage. Cortez keeps her hands busy in the waning seconds. This one could go either way.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Jasudavicius (29-28 Jasudavicius)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (29-29 Cortez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (29-28 Cortez)
The Official Result
Tracy Cortez def. Jasmine Jasudavicius—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Jasmine Jasudavicius, citing her superior wrestling credentials and ability to keep the fight standing. He notes Tracy Cortez has poor striking and relies on takedowns, but Jasmine's wrestling defense is strong. He acknowledges Cortez could win if she initiates takedowns, but favors Jasmine's toughness and recent form. He has a half-unit bet on her at +100.
Big Brady picks Cortez but acknowledges the fight could be close. He believes Cortez has better striking and grappling, especially top control, and that Jasudavicius has been outlanded at distance. He expects a decision and notes the crowd support for Cortez. However, he is hesitant due to the close line and the possibility of a wrestling stalemate.
Cody picks Jasudavicius, noting her wrestling base, grit, and improvement. He points out Cortez's inactivity, weight issues, and vulnerability in recent fights. He believes Jasudavicius can stuff takedowns and outwork Cortez on the feet.
Daniel Levi picks Jasmine Jasudavicius, citing her relentless pace and 'dog' mentality. He worries about Tracy Cortez's long layoff and mental health issues, and believes Jasmine will push the pace and potentially break Cortez in the later rounds. Levi acknowledges Cortez's technical wrestling advantage but thinks Jasmine's pressure and volume can win two rounds if she avoids being neutralized.
Cortez is one of the best wrestlers in the division, with excellent takedowns and top pressure. Jasudavicius is coming off an upset win over Miranda Maverick, but I think there's recency bias; Cortez is a step up in wrestling. Cortez should close the distance and impose her will, winning by decision. I've already bet her at minus 170 and think she's still a good spot up to that range.
Paul leans toward Jasudavicius as an underdog, citing her wrestling, durability, and recent wins as a dog. He notes Cortez's inactivity, weight cut issues, and close fights. He likes Jasudavicius's pace and thinks she can outwork Cortez.
The MMA Guru picks Jasmine Jasudavicius over Tracy Cortez, despite most people favoring Cortez. He believes Jasudavicius is more game, stronger, and tougher. He notes Cortez's split decision win over Justine Kish as a poor performance and highlights Jasudavicius's recent grappling dominance over Miranda Maverick. He expects Jasudavicius to win in the second and third rounds via stand-up fight.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 36 of 66 | 54% | 70 of 102 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 1 | 7:54 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 30 of 73 | 41% | 49 of 95 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 1 | 1 | 3:17 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 11 of 16 | 68% | 23 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 1 | 3:16 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 7 of 20 | 35% | 14 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 9 of 23 | 39% | 20 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:35 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 25 of 47 | 2 of 3 | 66% | 1 | 0 | 2:04 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 16 of 27 | 59% | 27 of 39 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 3:03 |
| Melissa Gatto | 0 | 8 of 18 | 44% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:35 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 36 of 66 | 54% | 25 of 51 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 6 | 14 of 37 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 27 |
| Melissa Gatto | 30 of 73 | 41% | 25 of 61 | 3 of 7 | 2 of 5 | 27 of 69 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 11 of 16 | 68% | 8 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 |
| Melissa Gatto | 7 of 20 | 35% | 6 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 7 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 9 of 23 | 39% | 4 of 16 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 4 |
| Melissa Gatto | 15 of 35 | 42% | 13 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 1 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 16 of 27 | 59% | 13 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 14 |
| Melissa Gatto | 8 of 18 | 44% | 6 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Cortez (-155), Gatto (+125)
Round 1
The lone women’s flyweight match of the night comes between red-hot prospect Cortez (9-1, 3-0 UFC), who gets a huge pop from her hometown crowd, and the undefeated Gatto (8-0-2, 2-0 UFC). While Cortez has not suffered a loss since her pro debut in 2017, Gatto has yet to sample the bitter taste of defeat, although she does hold a pair of draws in 2017 and 2018 on her own ledger. Referee Jason Herzog takes charge of this matchup, and the ladies touch ‘em up to get things started knowing that someone’s unbeaten streak is about to come to a screeching halt. Bouncing back and forth towards one another, the first strike comes from Cortez in the form of a leg kick. Cortez springs back when Gatto loops a right hand at her, and she comes back with a leg kick. As Gatto rushes towards her to stop the kicks from landing, Cortez grabs hold of a double and slams Gatto on the mat. Keeping an offensive guard off her back, Gatto rolls and threatens when not keeping her guard tight around Cortez’ waist. Gatto throws her legs up in search of a triangle, and she switches over to isolate an arm. The Arizona native lifts Gatto in the air and slams her in the mat to slip her arm out, and she lowers herself back into Gatto’s guard. Gatto remains with a high guard, looking for another armbar as Cortez stacks her up. Cortez stands up and backs off, so Gatto follows her back to the feet. Gatto strings together a solid one-two, and she follows Cortez back with a leg kick. Cortez responds in kind, and Cortez steps in with a left hand on the jaw. Gatto bullies her to the wall, and lifts Cortez up but cannot toss her down. Instead, from behind, Gatto drags Cortez down and gets both hooks in to claim Cortez’ back. Cortez turns mightily through to wind up on top, and she slashes Gatto with a sharp elbow. Gatto sits up with her high guard, and she hunts for another armbar. Cortez slips her arm free and powers down a straight right hand, leading Gatto to close up the guard again. Cortez pushes Gatto up towards the fence in that corner position between the mat and the wall, and this keeps Gatto from getting any leverage. Cortez sits up with an elbow, and she stands back to lord over Gatto with low kicks. Cortez lets her up, and she sprints towards Gatto on the way as Herzog chides her for not letting her up and then allowing her to stand while punching her. The close round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 2
The ladies come out to emphatically touch gloves, and Cortez slings a front kick and one to the head as Gatto walks through it to launch a right hand. Cortez keeps her range and lands a single leg kick, and she hops back when Gatto leads off with a series of punches. The Brazilian pursues her own body lock to try to drag Cortez down, and Cortez lifts her up in the air with a thudding knee before pushing off. Gatto bobs forward, and a few punches bounce Cortez back to the wall. Cortez circles away and gets tagged with an overhand right, and Cortez responds with one body kick. Cortez tries to go for another kick to the same spot, and Gatto pushes through it to lift Cortez up and plant her on the ground. Gatto allows her to stand so that she can take Cortez’ back, and she yanks Cortez down with her to take her back. The Brazilian keeps one hook in, and she follows Cortez as Cortez rolls to her knees. Gatto secures the other hook and flattens Cortez out for a moment, where she beats on Cortez with snapping punches. Cortez turns through, and she winds up on her back in hopes of flipping her foe over. This time, Gatto meets this sweep attempt with an armbar, and Cortez calmly turns and follows through to slide her arm out of danger and put Gatto on her back. Gatto looks for her own sweep, and Cortez keeps the cage at her side so Gatto cannot flip her over. The unbeaten fighter hangs on to stifle any offense from Cortez, and Cortez breaks the grip to land one single shot before laying heavily chest-to-chest. The American drives down an elbow, and Gatto throws her legs up to hunt for a triangle with seconds to spare. Cortez lands one right hand and then springs back to stand up. Gatto follows her up, and the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Gatto
Round 3
There is a clap of hands to start off the last round, and Cortez goes after a takedown early. Gatto stuffs her and rings her bell with an overhand right. They clash legs when kicking at the same time, and they get drawn into a striking exchange where Gatto lands the better punches. Cortez intercepts one punch with a double, and she tackles the Brazilian over and puts her down on the floor in the center of the cage. Gatto looks to escape out the side, so Cortez answers this by slipping into half guard and using her shoulder to press Gatto down. Gatto turns as Cortez goes after mount, and Cortez accepts this so that she can swipe north-south position. Gatto turns all the way over and tries to snatch up a single, but Cortez follows her through and remains on top. The Brazilian kicks off, and Cortez gets back to her feet and dives on top before Gatto can fight her way back upright again. Gatto again pushes off the hips, and Cortez turns the corner to shove Gatto back down. Gatto absorbs an elbow to the side of her head as she looks to roll through, and Cortez falls into leglock danger. Gatto pursues a heel hook, and she attacks to the other leg as Cortez smoothly move through, lands several heel strikes to the thigh, and gets up. Gatto sneaks around to partially take Cortez’ back, and Cortez turns all the way around while Gatto is hanging on to her so that she can wind up on top. They are on their sides, both attempting to assume position, but it is Cortez that succeeds in getting top position and swiping full mount. Cortez opens up with an elbow, and when Gatto turns, Cortez hunts for an arm-triangle choke. Cortez gets over to side control as she locks down the choke, but she abandons it when Gatto leans her neck up to the wall. Gatto rolls again, and Cortez hangs on to her until the final horn blares to wrap up this three-round fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (29-28 Cortez)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (29-28 Cortez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (29-28 Cortez)
The Official Result
Tracy Cortez def. Melissa Gatto via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Tracy Cortez based on her wrestling, expecting her to grind out a decision. However, he admits his bet will be on Melissa Gatto to win inside the distance (decision no action), indicating a lack of full confidence in Cortez. He notes Cortez's layoff and Gatto's submission threat.
Big Brady picks Tracy Cortez to win by decision, but he is hesitant. He acknowledges that Gatto has shown impressive striking and grappling, but her takedown defense is poor. Cortez will look to take Gatto down and control her, and Brady believes she will succeed in getting takedowns. However, Gatto is dangerous off her back with submissions, so Cortez will have to fight off submissions for 15 minutes. Brady thinks Cortez will win by controlling the fight on the ground, but he would not count out Gatto completely.
Cody picks Tracy Cortez, but emphasizes monitoring the scales. He notes Cortez's wrestling advantage and that she trains at Fight Ready MMA. Cody believes Cortez can get takedowns and stay on top, avoiding Gatto's submissions. He thinks Gatto's guard is active but Cortez's wrestling and pace will prevail. Cody is confident if Cortez makes weight.
Daniel Levi leans toward Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her cleaner striking, power, and opportunistic submissions. He expects Cortez to have early wrestling success but thinks Gatto can survive and turn the fight in later rounds. He is worried about Cortez's top control but sees value in Gatto at plus money. He has not bet yet, noting he missed better lines.
The host picks Melissa Gatto but is not betting the fight due to volatility. He notes Cortez's strong wrestling but concerns about her weight miss and cardio. He highlights Gatto's impressive UFC performances, her ability to work from bottom, and her vicious striking. He expects Gatto to pressure, attack the body, and possibly find a submission or win via striking. He acknowledges Cortez will land takedowns but thinks Gatto will do enough to win.
Paul picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog at +147. He believes the fight is more 50/50 and that Gatto's grappling is legit, with an active guard and submission threats. He fears Cortez's wrestling could control the fight, but thinks Gatto's strength and jiu-jitsu could lead to a submission. Paul acknowledges the Arizona home cooking factor but took the dog shot.
The MMA Guru picks Melissa Gatto as an underdog, citing her underrated skills, youth, and physical advantages. He notes Gatto has a reach advantage, submission ability, and finishing power, as seen in her wins over Carol Rosa and Sijara Eubanks. He criticizes Cortez for pitter-patter striking and lack of finishing ability. He predicts Gatto will win on the feet and then secure a submission, possibly an armbar in the second round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 66 of 112 | 58% | 84 of 138 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 1 | 0 | 6:26 |
| Justine Kish | 1 | 55 of 119 | 46% | 72 of 140 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 20 of 30 | 66% | 34 of 52 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:11 |
| Justine Kish | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 12 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:21 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 24 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:53 |
| Justine Kish | 0 | 29 of 57 | 50% | 38 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 24 of 38 | 63% | 26 of 40 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 1:22 |
| Justine Kish | 1 | 21 of 54 | 38% | 22 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 66 of 112 | 58% | 40 of 78 | 19 of 24 | 7 of 10 | 39 of 73 | 7 of 7 | 20 of 32 |
| Justine Kish | 55 of 119 | 46% | 30 of 86 | 8 of 14 | 17 of 19 | 50 of 111 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 20 of 30 | 66% | 18 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 25 |
| Justine Kish | 5 of 8 | 62% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 22 of 44 | 50% | 9 of 26 | 8 of 10 | 5 of 8 | 19 of 41 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Justine Kish | 29 of 57 | 50% | 15 of 38 | 4 of 8 | 10 of 11 | 27 of 54 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 24 of 38 | 63% | 13 of 24 | 9 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 7 |
| Justine Kish | 21 of 54 | 38% | 12 of 42 | 4 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 19 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The lone catchweight contest of this evening and the second of two women’s bouts is officially at 126.5 pounds as Cortez (8-1, 2-0 UFC) missed weight before taking on Kish (7-3, 3-3 UFC). Our referee is Keith Peterson, and the nonsense level in the arena just dropped to dangerously low levels. There is no glove touch offered or exchanged, and Cortez takes the center of the cage to engage. It is Kish that lands the first offense, with a barrage of punches leading to a head kick and a follow-up takedown attempt. Cortez stuffs the try, and the two muscle one another around on the fencing. Both score short knees, and Kish aims for a trip only to get reversed and put on her back. Cortez postures up and stands up in high guard to blast Kish in the face with heavy hands. Kish arches her back to try to tie up Cortez or set up a submission off her back, but Cortez ignores it and slams her in the face with repeated fists and elbows. Kish aims for an armbar, and Cortez breaks it up with stern ground-and-pound. This same situation happens again, and Kish cannot get the leverage nor the angle to set up any serious submission. Instead, Kish hacks with elbows from her back, all while Cortez busts her in the face. When Cortez stands up to rain down shots, Kish nails her in the face with an upkick but Cortez darts back down to take top position. As Kish scrambles, she returns to her knees and gives up her back, and Cortez gets both hooks in. Kish defends with two-on-one wrist control all while trying to break the body lock that Cortez takes, and Cortez keeps the body triangle tightly secured. Cortez flirts with a choke attempt and gets punched, and the round ends in this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 2
Cortez rushes out of her corner to begin the second frame, and both trade single jabs early. They commit to body kicks, and Kish sits down on a right hand to back her foe off. Kish aims another kick, and Cortez wades forward with a combination. Kish returns fire, and they close the distance but Cortez cannot grab her. Cortez sweeps with a kick, and blocks low to aim to take the fight down. Kish gives up her back in an exchange, and Cortez drags her down to set up the body triangle like she ended the previous stanza. Kish throws no-look punches, and she breaks the body lock to burst out of the position, on top, and then back up. Kish slashes at her with a standing elbow, and Cortez replies with a solid right hand. Two punches from Kick get off, Cortez does not let her off the hook, and they continue to trade one after the other. Both get off leg kicks, and they reach out with jabs. A low kick turns into a hook kick for Kish, and Cortez avoids the latter. Cortez marches forward with a one-two, and the head kick that comes after it gets blocked. Kish stings Cortez with a one-two, and she lands to the body with a punch and a few kicks. When Cortez aims her own kick to the body, Kish is there with an overhand right counter. Kish lands an inside calf kick when Cortez comes at her, and Kish avoids the strikes that flow towards her. Kish takes a leg kick and comes up short of her intended target. A pair of leg kicks from Kish conclude the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kish
Round 3
When Cortez starts the round aggressively, Kish is there to greet her with several punches and a leg kick. Cortez pursues a takedown, and Kish sees it coming and staves her off. A right hand connects to the jaw for Kish, and Cortez counters her effectively. Cortez leaves a kick out too long, which allows for Kish to nail her on the jaw with a right hand. Kish shrugs off a front kick to smack Cortez with a few right hands, and she follows them with two lefts. Cortez rushes in to clinch up and hit a body lock takedown, and on the second effort, she gets Kish down to her back. Cortez sits up to land strikes, and Kish pushes off and may have gotten away with a upkick with Cortez’ knees down. As Kish rolls to her knees, Cortez nails her with heavy ground-and-pound. Kish scrambles and gives up her neck, and as they stand up, Cortez grips on to a guillotine choke. Kish does not panic, and instead wriggles her neck free. Kish thanks her by landing a few punches, and they go body kick for body kick. Kish attempts a standing back fist, but she misses. When Cortez throws a body kick, Kish times a huge right hook that plants her square on her backside. Kish does not want to play on the ground, so she allows Cortez to get up. Cortez thanks her for this by landing a few punches when she gets her feet beneath her again. Kish eats an uppercut to score a right hand counter, and she catches a body kick but cannot make Cortez pay for it. Cortez shoots in to take the fight down, and Kish stuffs it, eats a knee up the middle and scores a few right hands. Kish paws out with punches, landing another right as Cortez throws a naked body kick. A few more from Kish end this very close fight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kish (29-28 Kish)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Kish (29-28 Kish)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kish (29-28 Kish)
The Official Result
Tracy Cortez def. Justine Kish via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Tracy Cortez to win by decision. He highlights Cortez's excellent wrestling (3 takedowns per 15 minutes) against Kish's poor takedown defense (55%). He notes that Kish has not faced a wrestler of Cortez's caliber and that Cortez should have no problem getting takedowns and controlling the fight. He expects a dominant decision with multiple takedowns and top control. He suggests the decision prop at -120 as a better value than the moneyline.
Cody believes Cortez will secure takedowns and grind Kish down. He notes Kish is raw, makes mistakes, and has poor takedown defense. He thinks Cortez's wrestling is her bread and butter and that she will win by decision. He is confident in the pick.
Daniel Levi picks Tracy Cortez, citing her disciplined style and takedown ability. He notes that Justine Kish is aggressive but leaves openings for takedowns, and Cortez will stay true to her game plan. Levi believes Cortez will take Kish down and control the fight, winning a unanimous decision. He also mentions that Cortez has a higher ceiling and is working with a good team.
Manpreet is confident Cortez will win by decision, citing her superior wrestling and top control. He notes that Kish is durable but has poor takedown defense and struggles off her back, as seen in the Felice Herrig fight. He believes Cortez will grind out a decision, making the decision prop a safe play.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Kish has lost to grapplers and has not improved. He thinks Cortez's wrestling will be even better at 125 lbs. He expects a 29-28 decision for Cortez.
The MMA Guru picks Tracy Cortez to win by unanimous decision. He notes Cortez is younger, has a reach advantage, and a better record with good competition. He criticizes Justine Kish's recent losses and lack of impressive wins. He expects Cortez to secure takedowns at the end of rounds to win close rounds, possibly 30-27.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 0 | 20 of 42 | 47% | 66 of 109 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 9:58 |
| Stephanie Egger | 0 | 10 of 32 | 31% | 27 of 70 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 1 | 2:07 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 13 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:43 |
| Stephanie Egger | 0 | 6 of 16 | 37% | 12 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:34 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 31 of 51 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:16 |
| Stephanie Egger | 0 | 2 of 9 | 22% | 7 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 0 | 8 of 15 | 53% | 22 of 36 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:59 |
| Stephanie Egger | 0 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 8 of 19 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Cortez | 20 of 42 | 47% | 11 of 28 | 3 of 6 | 6 of 8 | 9 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 11 of 16 |
| Stephanie Egger | 10 of 32 | 31% | 6 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 4 of 6 | 8 of 29 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tracy Cortez | 6 of 14 | 42% | 2 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Stephanie Egger | 6 of 16 | 37% | 2 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Tracy Cortez | 6 of 13 | 46% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Stephanie Egger | 2 of 9 | 22% | 2 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Tracy Cortez | 8 of 15 | 53% | 6 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 1 | 6 of 7 |
| Stephanie Egger | 2 of 7 | 28% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We now shift gears to the women’s bantamweight division, as Cortez (7-1, 1-0 UFC) tries to stave off powerful newcomer Egger (5-1, 0-0 UFC). The Octagon ranger is referee Kevin Sataki, and the action is preceded by a glove touch. Egger reaches out early with a jab, and steps out of the way of a leg kick. The Swiss fighter slaps her foot off Cortez’ thigh, and the two back off to find angles. Egger fires off another low kick, and Cortez’ response is nowhere near the mark. Egger catches Cortez standing still with a right hand, and slaps away the counter strikes that come her way. Egger swings and misses with an overhand right, and Cortez catches a subsequent kick to clinch up and consider a takedown. Egger stops it, and the two come back to the center of the cage. Egger lets loose a body kick, and a crisp counter right hand drops her down to the canvas. She is not hurt and likely knocked off-balance, as she gets right back up and narrowly avoids a foot flying by her face. Cortez closes the distance and lands a trip takedown, where she lands hard in full guard. Egger closes the guard for a moment before opening it to threaten with something off her back, and Cortez maintains heavy pressure but is not striking out of concern that something could come from it. As soon as Cortez postures up, Egger throws up her legs to hunt for an armbar, and Cortez rolls through it and an omoplata attempt as well to circle around and take Egger’s back. Cortez cinches up a body triangle as she fishes for a rear-naked choke, but Egger is unconcerned as she signals to the referee to stand them up. There is no such response as Cortez has back control, so Egger takes matters into her own hands by spinning around and getting on top. Cortez wants nothing to do with this as she powers back to her feet, and Egger presses her to the fence as she stands up. Cortez spins her about and thwarts a hip toss to stay on top in an unusual scramble situation until the round closes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 2
The two women’s bantamweights touch gloves again, and both start off with kicks. Egger goes to the body, while Cortez strings a few together to the body and lead leg. Egger steps forward with a body kick, and as she backs off to avoid the counter, Cortez follows her. The American latches on to her and hits a takedown, where she is quickly in half guard as Egger twists and turns. Cortez slams down a few punches and considers a brabo choke as Egger tries to sit up, and Egger leans back to hunt for a leglock. She cannot secure anything as Cortez pulls her leg free, and Cortez lords over her opponent on top. Cortez rains down punches, and when she stands up, she gets booted in the side of the head with an upkick. Cortez shakes off the cobwebs as she stops Egger from taking top position, by electing to wade into Egger’s full guard. The Swiss fighter flails her legs around to get any sort of submission, but Cortez ignores it and elbows her in the back of her thigh. Egger attempts to roll through the position but finds herself giving up her back again, as Cortez locks in a body triangle like the previous round. This time, Cortez starts softening Egger up with short punches, and Egger manages to get Cortez so her back is on the fence and not able to get any leverage on a possible choke. Cortez thanks her for this by punching her in the body several times, and Egger winces and grabs hold of the wrist to tie Cortez up. Egger keeps two-on-one wrist control to stop any potential choke but she cannot break the body triangle, and the round ends as Cortez clings on like Saran wrap.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez
Round 3
The final round opens with a glove touch, and Egger starts winging kicks. Cortez backs out of the way of most of the concussive blows and tries to respond with similar strikes, but she is not long enough to reach her opponent. Egger shoots in low for a takedown, and Cortez defends by grabbing the fence and is admonished for it. The American gets grounded briefly but manages to leverage her way back up standing. The two lock up in the clinch, and Cortez is quick to turn her around as she gets off a few short knees. Egger attempts a trip but is unsuccessful, so she drops down for a double leg takedown. Cortez defends the position and lands a few punches in the process, before fighting her way out to go after an inside trip takedown. Egger stays on her feet but the second effort from Cortez puts her down, where Cortez instantly swirls around to take Egger’s back. The Swiss woman muscles her way to her feet and tries to trip Cortez, but Cortez reverses the maneuver and stops the attempt. As she presses Egger to the fence, Cortez changes levels and hits her own takedown. Egger turns around and gives up her back, so Cortez punches her in the face a few times while Egger tries to roll through. Cortez snatches up back control again, and the body triangle gets set up almost instinctually. Egger rolls to her stomach and gets on her knees, where Cortez slams more fists on the side of her head. Cortez stops a sweep and the two are trapped against the fence until time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (30-27 Cortez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (30-27 Cortez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Cortez (30-27 Cortez)
The Official Result
Tracy Cortez def. Stephanie Egger via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks the underdog Egger, citing her size advantage (3-inch height), legitimate ground game, and takedown ability. He notes Cortez has been reversed and put in bad spots on the mat, and that Egger is the bigger woman. He believes the fight should be closer to a pick'em and expects Egger to win by decision or submission.
Daniel leans with Tracy Cortez, believing her wrestling is better suited for MMA than Egger's judo. He notes that pulling guard in MMA is risky against a wrestler. He expects Cortez to get takedowns and win a decision. However, he cautions that Cortez is still green and wouldn't bet heavily on her.
Egger has size, strength, and judo advantages; she can reverse clinch positions and control on the ground. Cortez is undersized and may struggle to get takedowns. Egger's cardio is a concern, but she should win the first two rounds and survive the third for a decision.
The Guru picks Cortez, citing her better competition, experience, and record. He notes Egger is taking the fight on short notice and expects Cortez to grind out a unanimous decision by winning the second and third rounds.
Expert Picks (5)
Angelo picks Rose Namajunas, citing her superior striking and overall skill. He believes Tracy Cortez's path to victory is through wrestling, but doubts she can take Rose down for 25 minutes, especially since Cortez was training for a three-round fight and now faces five rounds at elevation. He notes that Rose was taken down four times by Amanda Ribas, but Ribas used clinch tosses rather than traditional shots, which are easier to defend. Angelo plans to have multiple bets on Rose.
Cody picks Rose Namajunas, citing her experience at altitude, full camp, and superior striking. He notes Tracy Cortez's inactivity and short notice, and believes Rose's wrestling defense and offensive takedowns will be key. He expects a decision win for Rose.
Daniel Vreeland picks Tracy Cortez to upset Rose Namajunas. He argues that Cortez has a legitimate wrestling background, which historically gives Rose trouble, and that Rose is a 'hot and cold' fighter who struggles when faced with adversity. He notes Cortez's 11-fight win streak and that she was already preparing for a fight next week, so short notice isn't a major issue. He also mentions Rose's age and mileage, suggesting she may be slowing down. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and prefers the plus 185 underdog.
Rose Namajunas has the striking advantage and the cardio edge, especially at altitude. Cortez will land some takedowns, but over 25 minutes, Namajunas will land better strikes and even some takedowns of her own late, cruising to a decision. The line is a bit wide, but the former champion reigns supreme.
Paul agrees with Cody, emphasizing Rose's full camp, altitude advantage, and five-round experience. He points out that Cortez's wrestling has been neutralized by upper-echelon opponents and that Rose's scrambling ability will nullify takedowns. He sees Rose winning by decision.
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