The UFC is back, two weeks after its showstopping PPV event in Las Vegas as the Ball Arena hosts UFC Denver for an interesting Fight Night. The Main Event sees former two-time UFC Strawweight Champion and #6 Flyweight contender, Rose Namajunas, take on the #11 contender, Tracy Cortez, who is currently undefeated in the UFC. Here is everything you need to know about this upcoming event.
We're Back!
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Rose Namajunas vs Tracy Cortez at #UFCDenver this Saturday!! pic.twitter.com/OQ5QJfk9BV
Namajunas had already fought once this year as she headlined UFC Vegas 89 and defeated Amanda Ribas by unanimous decision, entering the Flyweight rankings for the first time.
Thug Rose previously fought at UFC Paris in September 2023 where she would suffer an unanimous decision loss to Manon Fiorot, suffering a broken finger during the fight which would affect her performance. Before making her Flyweight debut in France, Namajunas lost the UFC Strawweight title to Carla Esparza at UFC 274, losing by split decision.
Despite five of her last six fights ending by decision, the Wisconsin-born fighter has earned eight stoppage wins in her MMA career with six submission wins, and only two knockout wins which could occur when she became the new Queen of the Strawweights at UFC 217 and UFC 261.
A victory for Namajunas will not only maintain her ranking in the Flyweight division but will put her one step closer to a title shot as she may only need one more fight before facing the 125-pound champion.
Cortez last fought in September 2023 where she would defeat Jasmine Jasudavicius by unanimous decision at Noche UFC.
The Arizona mixed martial artist has never lost in the UFC, having five fights in the organisation and winning them all by decision. Cortez is also on an 11-fight winning streak as her only loss in her career came on her MMA debut as she has kept on rising ever since.
The #11 Flyweight contender has only earned two stoppage wins in her career, with one ending by TKO in the second round and another ending by submission in the first round as she commonly takes the fight to the scorecards.
A win for Cortez will see her boost up the Flyweight rankings, possibly putting her in a title elimination fight as she is a rising star in the UFC with a high following as many believe that she will be a future champion.
Other fights you should look out for
Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Muslim Salikhov - Ponzinibbio fight for the first time since April 2023 after he suffered a third-round knockout loss to Kevin Holland at UFC 287. The Argentine Dagger has only managed to win one fight out of his last four as that victory came against Alex Morono by third-round TKO. The La Plata-born fighter has been fighting with the organisation since November 2013 as he looks to get back in the win column.
Salikhov fought earlier on in the year, but would not have a great performance as he lost to Randy Brown by first-round knockout at UFC Vegas 85. The King of Fung Fu currently stands on a two-fight losing streak with his last win coming at UFC Vegas 65, defeating Andre Fialho by by third-round TKO. The Russian is in a desperate need for redemption as he could pick up a respectful win against an experienced fighter.
Drew Dober vs Jean SIlva - Dober last fought at UFC Vegas 85, losing the opportunity to re-enter the Lightweights rankings after he was defeated by unanimous decision to Renato Moicano. The Nebraska fighter is currently tied for the most KO/TKO wins in UFC Lightweight history as he always looks to be a threat in the striking department. A victory for Dober will not only get him back to winning ways, but could see him become a Lightweight contender once again.
Silva fought two weeks ago at UFC 303, winning by second-round KO against Charles Jourdain, despite missing weight for the Featherweight matchup. The Brazilian has only had two fights in the UFC, both ending successfully by KO/TKO as he is already becoming a sudden prospect in the UFC. With 12 finishes out of 13 victories, another one could see him enter the rankings as he makes his UFC Lightweight debut.
Montel Jackson vs Da'Mon Blackshear - Jackson last fought at UFC Vegas 71, where he would earn a first-round knockout win over Rani Yahya. Quik currently stands on a four-fight winning streak and has won seven of nine UFC bouts, showing he has potential in the organisation. The Milwaukee-born fighter has the opportunity to make a big statement win which could see him become a ranked fighter in the Bantamweight division.
Blackshear had four fights in 2023, losing two by unanimous decision, winning one by second-round TKO and another by first-round submission with a Twister. The Monster is a big submission threat when he is in the Octagon, winning nine fights by submission as he does like to take the battle to the ground. A victory for Blackshear could be the biggest of his career as he tries to give the Denver fans a show in the Prelims.
Who will be victorious in the Main Event of UFC Denver? Which fight are you looking forward to the most?
Written by Charlie Oxtoby
Instagram: charlie_oxtoby
MMA Instagram: undisputed._.mma
Twitter: Charlie_Oxtoby1
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