Rose Namajunas Teaches Tracy Cortez Cost of Entry for Top 10 of UFC’s Strawweight Division

Tracy Cortez needs to rewatch the video and learn. Breaking into the top 10 of the UFC women’s flyweight division will take some self-evaluation after she was dropped in the first round and ultimately lost a unanimous decision Saturday night in Denver, Colorado. While Cortez had been on an 11-fight winning streak entering her match with Rose Namajunas, Cortez’s resume wasn’t filled with wins over tough competition.

Namajunas was established between the two women in the first round. She landed a stiff punch that sent Cortez to the canvas and appeared to send one of Cortez’s eyelashes flying across the octagon as well. As the fight progressed, Namajunas was able to use her wrestling and striking to stay on top of the overwhelmed Cortez, who lost for the first time in seven years, according to MMAfighting latest news.

While Namajunas’ reputation has taken a few hits over the last few years, she is still a former champion who has had impressive performances throughout her career. Namajunas, a former strawweight champion, decided to move up a weight class to join a rare group of multi-division champions. 

Following the fight, Namajunas made it clear what she would like next.

“Give me the belt, man,” Namajunas said. “I want it.”

But a fight for the belt will likely have to wait. Valentina Shevchenko and Alexa Grasso are set to finish off their trilogy this September. Depending on how that fight goes, Namajunas would likely have to wait until a possible fourth fight between Shevchenko and Grasso occurs. Even then, Namajunas would likely be behind Manon Fiorot in line. Fiorot beat Namajunas in September 2023.

Jean Silva Turns in Impressive Performance

Jean Silva put on perhaps the most impressive performance Saturday night. Silva took a fight with Drew Dober on a two-week notice, according to MMA news sites. There was some thought that this would be a difficult turnaround for the Brazilian.

Dober was fighting in his home state, and Silva was going up a weight class. But Silva put on a show in many aspects. At one point during the second round, Silva turned around and put a finger over his lips to shush Dober’s corner, who were barking instructions at their fighter. Silva then fired off a number of spinning elbows that beat up the veteran Dober.

At the beginning of the third round, there was pressure to stop the fight after a large, deep cut opened up above Dober’s eyebrow. Referee Herb Dean brought the doctor in, who immediately stopped the bout. 

Erosa Weathers the Storm

Christian Rodriguez had the gameplan right to fight Julian Erosa. Rodriguez pressured early and looked to land the knockout blow. But if you can’t knock out Erosa, you better be prepared to handle what is coming back at you.

In the waning moments of the first round, Rodriguez went in for ground and pound with Erosa on his back. However, Erosa wasn’t going to accept the position. He was able to reach up and get his arm around Rodriguez and work his way into a guillotine choke.

Rodriguez tapped out with only 11 seconds left in the first round.

Brundage Fouled Again

Cody Brundage is an average UFC fighter who has been a part of more bizarre finishes to fights than many others in recent memories. For the second time in a year, there was an argument about how his fight should be ruled. Brundage was hit with illegal elbows by Abdul Razak Alhassan during a wild scramble to start the fight.

Alhassan was raining down strikes, hoping to earn a stoppage. Brundage, who was holding onto a single-leg takedown attempt, absorbed a few of those rough strikes on the back of his head. The fight was stopped due to the elbows.

The video replay determined the strikes were incidental and the fight was declared a no contest. Brundage was also hit by illegal elbows in a fight with Jakob Malhoun last year. However, in that fight the referee determined they were intentional and he won a DQ.

Johnson Saves Himself a Sweat

Charles Johnson didn’t know what the scorecards read after the second round of his fight with Joshua Van. But Johnson also didn’t want to get to the end of the bout and find out he was on the wrong side of the scorecards. At the start of the third round, Johnson fired off a thumping uppercut that put Van down for good.

When the scorecards were released following the fight, one judge had Johnson winning, one judge had Van winning, and the third had it a draw. By connecting with the uppercut, he rendered all of that moot.

Salikhov Bounce Backs With Split Decision Win

The co-main event ended up being a bit of a dud. Muslim Salikohov and Santiago Ponzinibbio ended up engaging in a typical back-and-forth striking affair. Both fighters controlled certain portions of the fight.

However, MMA breaking news shows that neither man really set themselves apart. Salikhov finished with a 46-41 edge in significant strikes. Ponzinibbio landed two takedowns. At the end of the fight, the judges rewarded Salikovic’s striking with a split-decision win.

Jackson Turns in Impressive Performance

Montel Jackson wants to be more active. During his post-fight interview after a wild 18-second knockout of Da’Mon Blackshear, the bantamweight fighter said he has simple instructions for his management team. Jackson just tells them to sign the contract and not worry about who the opponent is.

Jackson has knocked down seven of his 11 opponents in the UFC.

Here’s a look at the rest of the fights on the card not mentioned above:

• Welterweight, Gabriel Bonfim win by decision over Ange Loosa, 30-27 (x2), 29-28
• Women’s flyweight, Jasmine Jasudavicius win by decision over Fatima Kline, 30-27 (x3)
• Women’s flyweight, Luana Santos win by submission over Mariya Agapova, Round 1 3:27
• Middleweight, Andre Petroski win by decision over Josh Fremd, 30-27 (x3)
• Welterweight, Evan Elder win by submission over Darrius Flowers, Round 2 1:46

Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingnews.com.

By Dean McHugh.