Former two-time women’s strawweight titleholder “Thug” Rose Namajunas secured her second victory as a flyweight on Saturday by defeating Tracy Cortez in the UFC Denver main event via a unanimous decision.
Namajunas utilized her stiff jab, footwork, and well-timed takedowns to halt Cortez’s 11-fight winning streak. She displayed excellent striking while evading Cortez’s attacks effectively. In the initial round, Namajunas landed a solid left punch that sent Cortez to the mat, followed by a right hand that caused Cortez’s eyelash to go flying.
😭 Rose Namajunas knocks off Tracy’s eye lashes. pic.twitter.com/bU95afX6R9
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 14, 2024
Despite the knockdown in the early stages, the fight went the distance with Cortez unable to mount much offensive. The judges awarded Namajunas the victory via unanimous decision, with scorecards reading 49–46, 49–46, and 48–47.
Following this win, Namajunas now holds a 2-1 record in the flyweight division and expressed her desire for a title shot. She made the move up from strawweight to flyweight in pursuit of becoming a dual UFC champion.
The current flyweight champion, Alexa Grasso, is set to face former titleholder Valentina Shevchenko later this fall. They are serving as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 32, which began airing on ESPN in June.
