Tracy Cortez

Last updated
Tracy Cortez
Born (1993-12-10) December 10, 1993 (age 30)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Division Flyweight
Reach65 in (165 cm) [1]
Fighting out of Scottsdale, 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

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 March 26, 2024, she is #11 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings. [3]

Contents

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 returned 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 matches11 wins1 loss
By knockout10
By submission11
By decision90
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win11–1Jasmine JasudaviciusDecision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Grasso vs. Shevchenko 2 September 16, 202335:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win10–1 Melissa Gatto Decision (unanimous) UFC 274 May 7, 202235:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win9–1 Justine Kish Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum April 17, 202135:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesReturn to Flyweight; Cortez missed weight (126.5 lb).
Win8–1 Stephanie Egger Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Moraes vs. Sandhagen October 11, 202035:00 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Win7–1 Vanessa Melo Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Jacaré November 16, 201935:00 São Paulo, BrazilBantamweight debut.
Win6–1 Mariya Agapova Decision (unanimous) Dana White's Contender Series 22 July 30, 201935:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win5–1 Erin Blanchfield Decision (split) Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez February 15, 201935:00 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win4–1Karen CedilloTKO (punches)Combate Americas 24: Alday vs. LopezSeptember 14, 201823:53 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win3–1Monica MedinaSubmission (rear-naked choke)V3 Fights 69June 16, 201814:27 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Win2–1Kaytlin NeilDecision (unanimous) Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba March 24, 201835:00 Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Win1–1Roxanne CeasearDecision (unanimous)World Fighting Federation 36November 4, 201735:00 Chandler, Arizona, United States
Loss0–1Cheri MuraskiSubmission (guillotine choke) Invicta FC 25: Kunitskaya vs. Pa'aluhi August 31, 201722:42 Lemoore, California, United StatesFlyweight debut.

[39]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roxanne Modafferi</span> American mixed martial artist

Roxanne Vincenta Modafferi is an American retired mixed martial artist, who most recently fought for the UFC. Though she last fought in the flyweight division, she has fought in multiple weight classes in her career. She has been a professional competitor since 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jennifer Maia</span> Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter

Jennifer Maia is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the Women's Flyweight division. Maia trains at Chute Boxe Academy in Brazil.A professional since 2009, Maia is most notable for her 12 bout stint in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and for being the former Invicta FC Flyweight World Champion.

Jodie Esquibel is an American mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She has also fought for Invicta FC.

Svetlana Nasibulina, known professionally by her ring name Justine Kish, is an American mixed martial artist that competes in the Flyweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional since 2010, she has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexa Grasso</span> Mexican mixed martial artist (born 1993)

Alexa Grasso is a Mexican professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she is the current UFC Women's Flyweight Champion. She is also a UFC analyst for UFC Español for Spanish broadcasts. As of June 20, 2023, she is ranked #1 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.

JJ Aldrich is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. She is currently signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and has fought for Invicta FC.

Andrea Lee is an American kickboxer and mixed martial artist who competes in the flyweight division. She is currently signed with UFC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karolina Kowalkiewicz</span> Polish mixed martial artist

Karolina Kowalkiewicz is a Polish mixed martial artist. She currently fights for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is the former KSW Women's Flyweight Champion. As of January 23, 2024, she is #13 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.

Danielle Taylor is an American mixed martial artist. She was the Strawweight King of the Cage (KOTC) champion, competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women's strawweight division and is currently competing for Invicta FC.

Emily Anne Whitmire is an American mixed martial artist (MMA) who currently competes in the Strawweight division of the Invicta FC. She has previously competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Felicia Dawn Spencer is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist. She is the former Invicta FC Featherweight champion and formally competed in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Miranda Maverick is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She competed in Flyweight division of the Invicta Fighting Championships. As of March 26, 2024, she is #15 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings.

Kay Hansen is an American mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes in the strawweight division of Invicta Fighting Championships, she also formerly fought in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Virna Jandiroba is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who currently competes in the strawweight division of the UFC. She is a former Invicta Fighting Championships (Invicta) Strawweight champion. As of January 23, 2024, she is #5 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.

Marachiara Romero Borella is an Italian professional mixed martial artist who competed in the Women's Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Erin Blanchfield is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is a former Eddie Bravo Invitational champion. As of April 2, 2024, she is #3 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings and #6 in the UFC women's pound-for-pound rankings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amanda Ribas</span> Brazilian mixed martial artist

Amanda Ribas is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the Strawweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of March 26, 2024, she is #9 in the UFC women's flyweight rankings, and as of February 20, 2024, she is #7 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.

Mariya Agapova is a Kazakhstani mixed martial artist. She currently competes in the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Lara Fritzen Procópio de Amorim is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. She has previously fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Stephanie Egger is a Swiss female mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

References

  1. ↑ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "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 2024-03-26.
  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.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.