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The upcoming UFC Denver event on July 13 will feature a notable change in its lineup. Tracy Cortez steps in for Maycee Barber to take on Rose Namajunas in a key flyweight bout at the Ball Arena in Denver.
The change was confirmed on Tuesday by sources familiar with the UFC’s plans, with initial reports of Barber’s withdrawal coming from Alex Behunin on Twitter. The reasons for Barber’s pullout have not been disclosed, but the situation has opened a significant opportunity for Cortez.
Cortez, originally set to fight Miranda Maverick on July 20 at another UFC event, will now face Namajunas a week earlier. This bout represents a substantial upgrade in competition for Cortez, who will be testing her skills against a former two-time strawweight champion.
Meanwhile, Maverick will remain on the July 20 card, with UFC officials working to find her a new opponent.
Cortez, 30, is undefeated in her UFC career, holding a 6-0 record with impressive wins over Jasmine Jasudavicius, Melissa Gatto, and Justine Kish. She also defeated top flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield by split decision before both joined the UFC.
This fight against Namajunas is a major step up for Cortez, who will be looking to prove herself against a fighter of Namajunas' caliber. Namajunas, coming off a victory over Amanda Ribas, aims to solidify her standing in the flyweight division, having previously lost to Manon Fiorot in her debut at 125 pounds.
With Cortez stepping up, the UFC Denver card promises an exciting clash, as fans eagerly anticipate whether Cortez can continue her winning streak against the experienced Namajunas.