Tracy Cortez has been itching to get back in the Octagon since suffering her first defeat in seven years last July against Rose Namajunas.
Originally slated to face Miranda Maverick later that month, Cortez was offered the chance to step in for Maycee Barber and headline the UFC Denver event against the former strawweight queen on just two weeks’ notice.
It was a major risk for Cortez, who was riding an 11-fight win streak at the time, but the potential reward was too big to pass up. The 31-year-old battled for the full 25 minutes, but it was Namajunas who ultimately got her hand raised.