Maycee Barber is out, Tracy Cortez is in.
This will mark a hug step up for the No. 11-ranked Cortez, who fights former strawweight champion and No. 6-ranked flyweight contender Rose Namajunas atop the UFC Denver fight card on ESPN and ESPN+, scheduled for Sat., July 13, 2024 inside Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado.
Now they have an official poster.
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UFC
Cortez is dedicating this fight to her late brother Jose, who died of cancer in 2011.
“Before passing away, your dream was to be in the UFC,” Cortez wrote on Instagram. “In your honor I worked and busted my ass to make your dream come true brother. In the midst of this crazy journey I started seeing myself becoming the best in the world, your dream became mine. July 13th I’m having the biggest fight of my career. This is for you Jose!”
Barber is still dealing with the aftereffects of an illness suffered last March.
Namajunas (12-6) is looking to capture her second straight after securing a unanimous decision victory over Amanda Ribas at UFC Vegas 89. As for Cortez (11-1), she remains undefeated under the UFC banner at 5-0, which includes her unanimous decision nod over Jasmine Jasudavicius at Noche UFC.
For the rest of the UFC Denver fight card and ESPN/ESPN+ lineup click here.