Rose Namajunas is establishing herself as a formidable contender in the flyweight division. The former UFC women’s strawweight champion will make her third appearance at 125 pounds when she faces off against rising contender Tracy Cortez in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Denver this Saturday.
Namajunas (13-6) has secured her No. 6 ranking in the UFC’s women’s flyweight division by defeating Amanda Ribas in her second flyweight fight. This came after her flyweight debut loss to Manon Fiorot, who is only behind Valentina Shevchenko in the title race. Namajunas has previously trained with Kamaru Usman and Justin Gaethje under coach Trevor Wittman in Denver, making this fight a rare home event for her.
“A win is a win. In the UFC, you’re only relevant if you’re winning or doing something special,” Namajunas told reporters at the media day on Thursday. “My main priorities are to protect myself, win, and then be spectacular and perform at my best.”
Cortez (11-1) steps into the biggest fight of her career unexpectedly, replacing Maycee Barber on short notice. This five-round main event sees her facing a former champion. Despite being on an impressive 11-fight winning streak, Cortez has had limited activity over the past four years, with most of her fights going to decision. A victory against Namajunas could significantly advance her career.
“She’s a veteran and knows what to expect,” Cortez said. “But she hasn’t fought a 125er like me. We’re both somewhat unprepared, but we’ll see what happens.”
Also notable on Saturday’s card is a lightweight bout between Drew Dober and Jean Silva. Both fighters have 32 combined finishes and are known for their aggressive styles. Dober is coming off a decision loss to Renato Moicano, while Silva is making a quick turnaround after a knockout win over Charles Jourdain at UFC 303 on June 29.
Here are the rest of the fights scheduled for Saturday, including the latest odds:
UFC Fight Night card and odds:
Rose Namajunas -210 vs. Tracy Cortez +175, Women’s flyweight
Santiago Ponzinibbio -190 vs. Muslim Salikhov +160, Welterweight
Drew Dober -115 vs. Jean Silva -105, Lightweight
Gabriel Bonfim -360 vs. Ange Loosa +280, Welterweight
Christian Rodriguez -210 vs. Julian Erosa +175, Featherweight
Abdul Razak Alhassan -170 vs. Cody Brundage +145, Middleweight
UFC Fight Night viewing information:
Date: July 13
Start time: 10 p.m. ET (main card)
Location: Ball Arena, Denver
TV channel: ESPN
Stream: fuboTV
Prediction:
Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez: Namajunas may not be the optimal flyweight, while Cortez is better suited for the division. Cortez has statistical advantages in striking output, striking accuracy, takedown average, and defense. However, Namajunas has faced higher-quality opponents and has prepared for multiple five-round fights. Cortez will need to leverage her wrestling and size advantage to win rounds. Namajunas’ experience and consistent training in Denver’s high altitude give her an edge. The prediction is Namajunas winning via unanimous decision.