UFC Denver Main Event Pick
For the first time in nearly six years, the UFC returns to Denver with a fight card. This time, they lean on the women’s flyweight division to headline the card, along with a Denver-native who was a former champion. With only 8 fights scheduled for this card two weeks ago, the UFC has done a great job and added another 4 fights to bring the total to 12. Read more UFC Denver event pick.
Rose Namajunas looks to continue her quest in the flyweight division, hoping to build upon her March main event victory over Amanda Ribas.
Tracy Cortez snatches a short notice opportunity, eyeing the biggest win of her career which could finally put her in title contention.
Read on to see how these differing styles match up and who will come out on top.
Hey, while you’re at it, click here to check out our Godzilla Wins Daily Staff Picks! 
Rose Namajunas
Namajunas came off TUF 20 ten years ago as a highly touted prospect. She would go on to get finished in her UFC debut by Carla Esparza. She then went 4-1 to earn a title fight against the most dominant strawweight champion, an opportunity many didn’t believe she deserved.
Namajunas went into that UFC 217 card as a +500 underdog and managed to spring the upset by first round knockout. Putting a stop to the “fluke knockout” argument from detractors, Namajunas went on to defeat Joanna over 25 minutes in their rematch. Going on to losing the title, winning it back, then losing it once again, Namajunas set her sights on the 125 lb division in September. Now 1-1 at the weight class, Namajunas hopes to use the momentum of her last win to get into the title discussion.
The strongest skill in Namajunas’ game is her striking. She puts combinations together well, uses solid footwork, and has a nasty high kick that she has caught many opponents with.
Submissions are a tool she has up her sleeve, although it is now 7 years since she won by submission. We saw her grappling on display last time out against Amanda Ribas, even though the stats only say she landed 1 takedown. Accumulating 7 minutes of control time, Namajunas showcased her strong top game by keeping Ribas on her back and grinding out crucial minutes to get the win.
Tracy Cortez
Losing her first professional fight, Cortez has not looked back, winning her next 11 fights in a row. Cortez came into the UFC as a highly touted prospect given her ties to the same training camp as Henry Cejudo, but also a 6-1 record including her Contender Series win over Mariya Agapova. Last time out she had a grueling fight against Jasmine Jasudavicius.
It was a fight that looked to be a round apiece going into the final frame, Cortez used her grappling defensively and out-struck Jasudavicius. Cortez was scheduled to fight Miranda Maverick next week, but she jumped at this opportunity to fight a former champion on a main event platform.
What makes Cortez so difficult to deal with is her wrestling. She takes great shots, changes levels well, and times her entries masterfully. Looking to improve the rest of her game, we’ve seen her striking come together to compliment her wrestling.
That was key in her victory against Jasudavicius last time out. Cortez has a high-level coaching staff steering her ship and great training partners to help her improve her skills. At 30 years old, the best days for Cortez are still ahead.
The Pick
This is such a difficult fight to call, which is why the heavy odds in the former champion’s favor is puzzling. Yes, Namajunas has more experience, especially in 25-minute fights. Yes, Namajunas trains at altitude and it should not impact her too much. And yes, Namajunas will have the striking advantage.
However, Cortez is the best wrestler at 125lbs (especially with Suarez setting up shop at 115lbs). What’s working against Cortez in this fight is the short notice nature, although she was preparing for next weekend already. Also, the altitude could impact her ability to utilize her grueling grappling approach over 25 minutes. I think Cortez will be hard to put away, so rather than taking the chalk on Namajunas, I’ll look to aim at her decision prop to squeeze out the most profit from this fight.
I suspect we’ll see Namajunas land more damage to win more rounds. She will give up some takedowns, but that will be harder for Cortez to achieve in deep water. Close fight, but I think the experience will end up playing too much of a factor.
