UFC Denver results: Tracy Cortez wants to ‘get right back in there’ after crushing loss to Rose Namajunas

UFC Denver blew the roof off Ball Arena last Saturday night (July 13, 2024) in Denver, Colorado, leaving several fighters feeling the post-fight blues. Among them was Drew Dober, who suffered a third-round technical knockout (TKO) loss at the hands of Jean Silva, to go along with one of the nastiest cuts we have seen in a while (see it again here).

And Da’Mon Blackshear, who was knocked out by Montel Jackson in just 18 seconds (relive it here). But which fighter is suffering from the worst post-fight hangover, now a few days removed from the show?

Tracy Cortez.

Coming into her first-ever headlining fight, Cortez didn’t get the chance to prepare to the fullest after agreeing to replace Maycee Barber on two weeks notice. And doing that against someone like former women’s Strawweight champion, Rose Namajunas, isn’t ideal.

Still, Cortez couldn’t pass up the opportunity because a win would have catapulted her into the Top 5 and her championship fight dreams would’ve gotten that much closer. Unfortunately for the up-and-coming contender, she ran into a grizzled veteran who was at the top of her game come fight night.

For 25 minutes, “Thug Rose” had her way with Cortez, dominating the striking department, which was really no surprise to anyone. But after getting dropped in the first round by a solid shot, what perhaps puzzled Cortez moving forward was the fact that Namajunas won the wrestling department, too. Once that happened, it was game over.

In the end, Namajunas won a clear-cut unanimous decision, while Cortez suffered the first loss of her UFC career, snapping her 11-fight win streak, in the process.

“I took it on two weeks’ notice, unprepared, and gave it all I had,” Cortez said after the loss backstage. “I know if I were to have a full camp, prepared – I mean, my cardio was there – I think I would’ve done a lot better with a good game plan. I think I proved myself I can go five fives, you know. (I’m) looking forward to the next one,” she said.

“No excuses. I know it’s kinda hard for me to get up, but yeah. I was pretty upset that she took me down the way she did. I wanna get right back in there,” she said. “You know, last time I [lost], I went on a killer streak and proved myself again. And I’m not here to prove [to] the world. I’m here to prove myself.”

While the loss was a crushing one for the 30-year old, it will be definitely be a learning experience for her. She headlined her first event, missed weight for the first time (but ultimately hit her mark), and went five full rounds against one of the best fighters in women’s MMA history.

One of the bigger lessons she can take from this is what she needs to improve on. Namajunas is as well-rounded as they come, and her championship pedigree was evident in the fight. As far as what could realistically be next for Cortez, a fight against Viviane Araujo seems appropriate.

Araujo was supposed to face Jasmine Jasdavicious at UFC Denver, but had to withdraw due to an injury. She is coming off a loss at the hands of Natalia Silva, so she is need of a win to get some of her confidence back, as well.

For complete UFC Denver results, coverage and highlights, click HERE.