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 |
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
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 |
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 |
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.
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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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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