Tag: Tracy Cortez

Noche UFC pre-event facts: Can Alexa Grasso overcome Valentina Shevchenko’s greatness – again?

The best facts and figures about Noche UFC, which features an Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko title rematch in the main event.

The first Noche UFC in history is set to take place Saturday with the Mexican Independence Day fight card slated to go down at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and stream on ESPN+.

An anticipated championship rematch will serve as the main event. After pulling off a stunning upset in March, women’s flyweight titleholder [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) will attempt to prove her submission victory over [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) was no fluke when they run it back for the belt.

For more on the numbers behind the title fight, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about Noche UFC.

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Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (June 26-July 2)

All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC or Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by a promotion from June 26-July 2.

UFC books Tracy Cortez vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius for Sept. 16

Ranked flyweights are set to throw down on Mexican Independence Day as Tracy Cortez vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius is set.

Another UFC-ranked contender bout has been added to the promotion’s Mexican Independence Day card in Las Vegas.

Rising flyweights [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag] and [autotag]Jasmine Jasudavicius[/autotag] are aligned for a three-round bout Sept. 16. The UFC Fight Night event headlined by Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko 2 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+.

Two people with knowledge of the booking recently informed MMA Junkie of the matchup but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Cortez (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) will step into the cage for the first time since May 2022 when she looks to extend her winning streak to 11. She was most recently scheduled to compete in December against Amanda Ribas, but withdrew from the bout due to a medical issue during fight week.

Jasudavicius (9-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) rides into the fight on a two-fight winning streak comprised of unanimous decision wins over Gabriella Fernandes and Miranda Maverick.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Sept. 16 includes:

  • Champion Alexa Grasso vs. Valentina Shevchenko – for women’s flyweight title
  • Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Kelvin Gastelum
  • Tracy Cortez vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
  • Chris Curtis vs. Anthony Hernandez
  • Lupita Godinez vs. Sam Hughes

Tracy Cortez making mental health a priority, but vows to return to UFC stronger

UFC women’s flyweight standout Tracy Cortez is looking to take some time off to focus on her mental health.

[autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag] is looking to take some time off to focus on her mental health.

Cortez recently was pulled from her UFC on ESPN 42 women’s flyweight matchup with Amanda Ribas due to a medical issue. Cortez successfully weighed in with no issues, but later revealed the Florida Athletic Commission and doctors didn’t clear her to compete. She deemed it a private matter and did not open up about the reason.

However, it appears Cortez (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) recently has been going through some other personal issues and posted on Instagram to update her fans. She said she plans on competing again, but is unsure when.

“I know after my fight I’ve been a little MIA here on social media … I’m gonna be as honest as I can be. I’m currently in a place in my life where I’ve just been going through it, physically & mentally.

I want to say I haven’t been in the right head space since sometime in August. Life has been testing me under circumstances that I least expected.
I’m currently healing, i’m prioritizing my mental health! & just taking life a day at a time ❤️‍🩹

I keep getting asked when I’m going to be scheduled for another fight & in all honestly I don’t know BUT I will be back, strong, better & with a purpose far greater then I’ve ever had before!!!! I don’t quit. I’ve never been one to give up. I’m a fighter. I’m a warrior! I’ve been fighting with battles & life since I could remember & this is just another stage in life that I will come out victorious in 🙏🏽✨ I don’t sit & wait for the storm to pass, I walk through it with my head high!

For anyone struggling with life right now, don’t quit. Take life a day at a time. Believe that everything happens for a reason, although we may not understand it right now or ever. Don’t lose hope 🤍 the sun always shines when the storm passes.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CmppwNHPwl6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Unbeaten in the octagon, Cortez most recently was seen in action when she picked up a unanimous decision win over Melissa Gatto at UFC 274 in May to extend her winning streak to 10.

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15 best fight bookings of 2022 that got away due to injuries, weight issues, and more

Check out these highly anticipated matchups in 2022 that fell through due to various issues outside of the cage.

Fight bookings throughout 2022 were not ravaged by COVID-19 like the year before, but a number of key matchups still never made it to the cage.

Unfortunate injuries occurred in training camp, and in two instances, after weigh-ins, leading to last-minute scheduling changes and late bout scratches.

From entertaining veteran matchups to top contender bouts and title fight rematches, MMA lost some incredible fights this year due to various reasons.

Take a look below at some of the biggest pairings and why they did not go ahead as planned (in order of scheduled date).

Tracy Cortez coy on ‘private matter’ that forced her out of UFC Orlando fight vs. Amanda Ribas

UFC flyweight Tracy Cortez says she’s open up about why she couldn’t fight Amanda Ribas “when the time is right.”

[autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag] was all set to compete this past Saturday after making weight at UFC on ESPN 42 without issue – until she suddenly was removed.

For Cortez, the distinction is important: She was removed from her women’s flyweight bout with Amanda Ribas. She didn’t withdraw.

Cortez made that clear in an Instagram post on Monday. What she remained coy about was the specific nature of the “medical issue” – how the UFC classified it in a statement – that forced her out of action.

“First & foremost I want to thank every single one of you that sent me sweet, heartfelt messages,” Cortez wrote. “Honestly, means the world to me. It’s so easy to be negative & think the worst in a situation like mine this weekend & I’m just grateful to have fans that are so supporting! So, thank you!

“With that being said, I, myself did NOT pull out of my fight this past weekend. I was pulled by the (Florida) state commission & doctors. I did talk to my opponent & I wanna thank Amanda for being so understanding & respectful of the situation. I worked extremely hard for this fight & was in disbelief myself when (doctors) told me I wasn’t cleared. This is a private matter & will update you all when the time is right. I ask to (please) respect my privacy & to those who support, my day 1’s, know that I’ll be back.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Clzd9jPP_EV/

Despite her removal, Cortez (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) still attended UFC on ESPN 42 at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. She was photographed cageside and appeared in good spirits with Ribas.

Cortez, 28, entered the UFC in 2019 after earning a contract with a win on Dana White’s Contender Series. Overall, she’s won 10 fights in a row, including her first four in the UFC.

Cortez most recently won a unanimous decision against Melissa Gatto this past May at UFC 274.

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UFC on ESPN 42 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: A record for non-PPV card

UFC on ESPN 42 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

ORLANDO – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 42 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $297,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 42 took place at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 42 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Matheus Nicolau[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Phil Rowe[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Emily Ducote[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Jonathan Pearce[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Natan Levy[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Genaro Valdez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Francis Marshall[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Marcelo Rojo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Yazmin Jauregui[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Istela Nunes[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $42,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-42 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2022 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $7,932,000
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $14,109,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 42.

Tracy Cortez vs. Amanda Ribas pulled from UFC on ESPN 42 due to medical issues

The anticipated women’s flyweight fight between Tracy Cortez and Amanda Ribas will no longer happen at UFC on ESPN 42.

One of the most highly anticipated preliminary bouts on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 42 card has been called off.

[autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag] has been removed from her women’s flyweight bout with [autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag] due to a “medical issue,” the promotion announced on Friday after official weigh-ins for the event.

Both Cortez (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) and Ribas (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) successfully made weight for their matchup, which was slated to take place at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla., and air on ESPN/stream on ESPN+, but then something seemingly went wrong.

The UFC’s statement did not elaborate on the issue Cortez was dealing with, or if there are plans to reschedule the pairing with Ribas in the close or distant future.

Neither fighter has posted a statement at the time of this story.

The latest UFC on ESPN 42 lineup now includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Stephen Thompson vs. Kevin Holland
  • Bryan Barberena vs. Rafael dos Anjos
  • Matheus Nicolau vs. Matt Schnell
  • Sergei Pavlovich vs. Tai Tuivasa
  • Roman Dolidze vs. Jack Hermansson
  • Eryk Anders vs. Kyle Daukaus

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Niko Price vs. Phil Rowe
  • Emily Ducote vs. Angela Hill
  • Clay Guida vs. Scott Holtzman
  • Marc Diakiese vs. Michael Johnson
  • Darren Elkins vs. Jonathan Pearce
  • Natan Levy vs. Genaro Valdez
  • Francis Marshall vs. Marcelo Rojo
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Istela Nunes

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 42.

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Tracy Cortez explains how ‘good mentor’ Henry Cejudo is pushing her to score first UFC finish

Ahead of UFC on ESPN 42, Tracy Cortez talks about her appreciation for the time she gets with Henry Cejudo in the gym.

[autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag] is off to a great start in her UFC career but is yet to score a finish inside the octagon.

Under the guidance of [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] and his brother, Angel, at Fight Ready in Arizona, Cortez (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) hopes to change that when she meets Amanda Ribas at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 42 event, which airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

“Henry, he’s a good mentor,” Cortez told reporters at Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 42 media day. “He’s there for me when I need him and, for the most part, my coach is his older brother Angel. That is my wrestling coach. That is who I ultimately listen to when it comes down to game-planning and sticking to the fight.

“But he does give me great advice, he does help me, he does tell me what I need, what it takes, and what has to be done in the fight. It’s just changing the mindset ultimately. Word by word of the advices he gives me, it’s hours upon hours of conversation, but he’s not wrong. I would like to finish a fight.”

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Finishing Ribas will be no easy task. The Brazilian praised Cortez for her fight IQ, and Cortez feels the same way about her. She thinks it’ll come down to who has the better game plan.

“I think she’s a smart fighter,” Cortez said. “I’ve seen her fights. I’ve seen how disciplined she stays to her game plans, as well. There’s threat on both ends, and at this point it’s who’s gonna make the smarter choices, who’s gonna stay more disciplined to the game plan, who’s gonna fall into who’s fighting style, and ultimately it’s who wants it more, because we both tend to put on a good pace.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 42.

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UFC on ESPN 42 pre-event facts: Darren Elkins reaches historic milestone

The best facts and figures for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 42, where several familiar veterans have a shot at history.

The UFC returns to Florida on Saturday for UFC on ESPN 42, which takes place at Amway Center in Orlando with a card that airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

A welterweight headliner will close out the card as longtime contender [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag] (16-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) will search for his first win in two years when he takes on [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts for UFC on ESPN 42.