Tracy Cortez fueled by Rose Namajunas loss at UFC Denver: ‘I want to get right back in there’

July 14, 2024 11:20 am ET

Tracy Cortez is not going to let a loss hold her back.

The UFC women’s flyweight wants to get right back on the horse following her first defeat in the UFC’s octagon. Cortez (11-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) lost a unanimous decision to Rose Namajunas (14-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC) in the main event of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 59 in Denver.

Cortez vows to come back stronger, and she hopes to do that sooner rather than later.

“I want to get right back in there,” Cortez told ESPN. “Last time I (lost), I went on a killer streak and improved myself again. I’m not here to prove the world, I’m here to prove myself.”

Cortez wasn’t originally supposed to fight Namajunas on Saturday. She filled in on late notice for an injured Maycee Barber. The Mexican-American wishes she would’ve fought Namajunas under better circumstances, but still takes a lot from the experience.

“I took it on two weeks’ notice, unprepared, and gave it all I had,” Cortez said. “I know if I were to have a full camp, prepared – I mean, my cardio was there – I think I would’ve done a lot better with a good game plan. I think I proved myself I can go five fives, you know. (I’m) looking forward to the next one.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59.

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