Tracy Cortez

Tracy Cortez (born December 10, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of October 24, 2023, she is #11 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings.[3]

Tracy Cortez
Born (1993-12-10) December 10, 1993
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
DivisionFlyweight
Reach65 in (165 cm)[1]
Fighting out ofScottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
TeamFight Ready MMA[2]
Neuro Force One[2]
TrainerSantino Defranco[2]
Years active2017–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total12
Wins11
By knockout1
By submission1
By decision9
Losses1
By submission1
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Of Mexican descent, Cortez was born in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, and grew up in a household of Mexican immigrants.[4] She has three brothers, Jose Cortez, J.R. Cortez and Abraham Cortez. At the age of 14, she started training MMA after she watched her first MMA match where her oldest brother Jose, whose dream was to be a UFC fighter, fought against former UFC veteran Drew Fickett in November 2008. He won the fight via split decision. Jose stopped competing after the match with Fickett as he started to show cardiovascular problems and was later diagnosed with germ cell cancer. He died from the cancer in 2011. Cortez got a tattoo in remembrance of her brother on her arm. She struggled through depression after her brother's passing but managed to get back on track with the help of her family and Henry Cejudo and Angel Cejudo, who are the best friends of her oldest brother Jose.[2]

Every time I feel tired or I feel fatigued or I question anything, I think like, damn, my brother fought with cancer in his heart and he didn't give up. He fought through it. I'm perfectly healthy. I'm more than capable to do what I'm doing. This is easy work. That's a huge motivator for me.[2]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Cortez fought under World Fighting Federation and KOTC in her amateur career and amassed a record of 3–0 prior to being signed by Invicta Fighting Championships.[5]

Invicta Fighting Championships and other promotions

Cortez made her Invicta debut on August 31, 2017, against Cheri Muraski at Invicta FC 25: Kunitskaya vs. Pa'aluhi.[6] She lost the fight via submission in round two.[7] She return to World Fighting in November 2017 fought against Roxanne Ceasear and secured a win via unanimous decision.[8]

Her next fight came on March 24, 2018, facing Kaytlin Neil at Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba.[9] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[10] Cortez went on to face Monica Median and Karen Cedillo in 2018 at V3 Fight Night 69 and Combate Americas: Alday vs. Lopez respectively and she won both of the fights.[11][12][13]

On February 15, 2019, Cortez faced Erin Blanchfield at Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez.[14] She won the fight via split decision.[15]

Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series

Cortez appeared in DWTNCS: Season 3, Episode 6 web-series program on July 30, 2019, facing Mariya Agapova.[16] She won the fight via unanimous decision and was signed by UFC.[17]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Cortez was expected to make her promotional debut against Duda Santana in a bantamweight bout on November 16, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 22.[18] However, in October 27, it was reported that Santana was forced to withdraw from the fight due to family issues and she was replaced by Vanessa Melo.[19] At the weigh-ins, Cortez and Melo both missed weight for their fight, both weighing in at 136.5 pounds, 0.5 pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit of 136. The bout was initially proceeded at a catchweight and no fine was issued due to identical misses.[20] However, later on the same day, Brazil's athletic commission (CABMMA) executive director Cristiano Sampaio announced that due to an error of the scale used at the weight-ins was set was 0.7 pounds above the official scale and thus both fighters were officially clear from missing weight and the bout proceeded at bantamweight.[21] Cortez won the bout by unanimous decision.[22]

Cortez was expected to face Bea Malecki on October 11, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179.[23] However, on October 2, 2020, it was announced that Malecki was replaced by a newcomer Stephanie Egger for undisclosed reason.[24] Cortez won the fight via unanimous decision.[25]

Cortez faced Justine Kish on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22.[26] At the weigh-ins, Cortez came in at 126.5 pounds, a half pound over the flyweight non-title fight limit. Her bout proceeded at catchweight and she was fined 20% of her individual purse, which went to her opponent Kish.[27] Cortez won the fight via a split decision.[28]

Cortez was scheduled to face JJ Aldrich on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 30.[29] However, Cortez was pulled from the fight due to injury,[30] and she was replaced by Vanessa Demopoulos.[31]

Cortez faced Melissa Gatto on May 7, 2022 at UFC 274.[32] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[33]

Cortez was scheduled to face Amanda Ribas on December 3, 2022 at UFC on ESPN 42.[34] However, shortly after the official weigh-ins, the promotion announced Cortez was pulled from the bout due to an unspecified medical issue and the bout was cancelled.[35]

Cortez faced Jasmine Jasudavicius on September 16, 2023 at UFC Fight Night 227.[36] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[37]

Personal life

Cortez used to be engaged to fellow UFC fighter Brian Ortega.[38]

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
12 matches 11 wins 1 loss
By knockout 1 0
By submission 1 1
By decision 9 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 11–1 Jasmine Jasudavicius Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 September 16, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–1 Melissa Gatto Decision (unanimous) UFC 274 May 7, 2022 3 5:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 9–1 Justine Kish Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum April 17, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Flyweight; Cortez missed weight (126.5 lb).
Win 8–1 Stephanie Egger Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen October 11, 2020 3 5:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win 7–1 Vanessa Melo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré November 16, 2019 3 5:00 São Paulo, Brazil Bantamweight debut.
Win 6–1 Mariya Agapova Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 22 July 30, 2019 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 5–1 Erin Blanchfield Decision (split) Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez February 15, 2019 3 5:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 4–1 Karen Cedillo TKO (punches) Combate Americas 24: Alday vs. Lopez September 14, 2018 2 3:53 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win 3–1 Monica Medina Submission (rear-naked choke) V3 Fights 69 June 16, 2018 1 4:27 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win 2–1 Kaytlin Neil Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba March 24, 2018 3 5:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win 1–1 Roxanne Ceasear Decision (unanimous) World Fighting Federation 36 November 4, 2017 3 5:00 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Loss 0–1 Cheri Muraski Submission (guillotine choke) Invicta FC 25: Kunitskaya vs. Pa'aluhi August 31, 2017 2 2:42 Lemoore, California, United States Flyweight debut.

[39]

See also

References
  1. "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  2. "Tracy Cortez is chasing her UFC dream - and her brother's". espnW. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  3. "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2023-10-24.
  4. Gerbasi, Thomas (August 26, 2019). "CORTEZ EMBRACING EVERY PART OF HER JOURNEY". UFC. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
  5. Sherdog.com. "Tracy Cortez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  6. "Invicta FC 25 Fight Card Complete With Seven New Bouts". Women's MMA Today. 2017-07-26. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  7. Fernando Quiles Jr (2017-09-01). "Invicta FC 25: Cheri Muraski Submits Tracy Cortez in Second Round • MMA News". MMA News. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  8. "Tracy Cortez: A young, Hungry and Talented Flyweight". 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  9. "Tracy Cortez vs Kaytlin Neil Set For Invicta ⋆ MMA TakeOver". MMA TakeOver. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  10. Editor, Michael DeSantis, Managing (2018-03-25). "Invicta FC 28 Results". MMASucka.com. Retrieved 2019-03-06. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. "Tracy Cortez Wants To Put On a Show In Hometown at Combate Americas". MMAWeekly.com. 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  12. Gonzalez, Gabriel (2018-09-14). "Tracy Cortez Not Looking to Slow Down in Combate Americas Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  13. "Combate Americas results: Jose Alday becomes first bantamweight champion". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  14. Riggs, Drake (2019-02-13). "Invicta FC 34 Preview: What You Need to Know". The Body Lock. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  15. "Invicta FC 34 Quick Results (2/16): New Flyweight Champion Crowned & Tournament Finals Set | Fightful MMA". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  16. "Three More Bouts Slated For Summer Contender Series". www.flocombat.com. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  17. Martin, Damon (2019-07-30). "Dana White's Contender Series results season 3, week 6: Flying knee KOs highlight latest episode". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-07-31.
  18. Nolan King and John Morgan (2019-09-27). "After earning contract on DWCS, Tracy Cortez to debut vs. Duda Santana at UFC on ESPN+ 22". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved 2019-09-27.
  19. "Duda Cowboyzinha deixa luta contra Tracy Cortez no UFC SP e será substituída por Vanessa Melo". Sportv (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2019-10-30.
  20. Staff (2019-11-15). "UFC Sao Paulo Weigh-In Results: Main Event Official". cagesidepress. Retrieved 2019-11-15.
  21. Guilherme Cruz (2019-11-15). "Commission: Tracy Cortez, Vanessa Melo did not miss weight for UFC Sao Paulo, error due to scale issue". mmafghting. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
  22. Shillan, Keith (2019-11-16). "UFC Sao Paulo Results: Tracy Cortez Wrestles Her Way to Victory in Octagon Debut". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
  23. Nolan King and Mike Bohn (2020-08-21). "Tracy Cortez vs. Bea Malecki slated for UFC's Oct. 10 event". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  24. "Stephanie Egger vervangt Bea Malecki tegen Tracy Cortez op 10 oktober aanstaande". MMA DNA. 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  25. Bitter, Shawn (2020-10-10). "UFC Fight Island 5 Results: Tracy Cortez Wrestles Past Stephanie Egger". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  26. "Tracy Cortez vs. Justine Kish toegevoegd aan UFC evenement op 17 april". MMA DNA. 2021-02-02. Retrieved 2021-02-03.
  27. "UFC on ESPN 22 weigh-in results: Two fighters miss, one bout scrapped". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
  28. Thakur, Shivansh. "UFC Vegas 24: Tracy Cortez def Justine Kish via split decision » FirstSportz". Retrieved 2021-04-18.
  29. Nolan King and Farah Hannoun (2021-06-09). "Tracy Cortez vs. J.J. Aldrich booked for UFC Fight Night on Aug. 28". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
  30. "Injury knocks Tracy Cortez out of UFC on ESPN 30 fight vs. J.J. Aldrich". MMA Junkie. 2021-08-18. Retrieved 2021-08-19.
  31. "BREAKING: Vanessa Demopoulos maakt UFC debuut tegen JJ Aldrich op 28 augustus in Las Vegas". MMA DNA. 2021-08-21. Retrieved 2021-08-21.
  32. "UFC 274 | Cortez vecht voor eigen publiek in Phoenix tegen de ongeslagen Gatto". Eurosport (in Dutch). 2022-03-13. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  33. Anderson, Jay (2022-05-07). "UFC 274: Decision Over Melissa Gatto Extends Tracy Cortez's Win Streak to 10 After Year Away". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  34. Anderson, Jay (2022-08-02). "Amanda Ribas vs. Tracy Cortez Booked for UFC Card on December 3". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-03.
  35. Alexander K. Lee (2022-12-02). "Tracy Cortez out of Amanda Ribas fight at UFC Orlando due to medical issue". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  36. King, Nolan (2022-06-29). "UFC books Tracy Cortez vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius for Sept. 16". MSN via MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  37. Anderson, Jay (2023-09-16). "Noche UFC: Tracy Cortez Wins Decision Over Jasmine Jasudavicius in Heated Scrap". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-09-17.
  38. "Brian Ortega tattooed 'Tracy' on his mouth for Valentine's Day". MMA Weekly. February 14, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  39. Sherdog.com. "Tracy Cortez MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-11-16.
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