After long layoff and emotional win at Noche UFC, Tracy Cortez planning title run
LAS VEGAS – Tracy Cortez beat Jasmine Jasudavicius with a unanimous decision Saturday on the preliminary card at Noche UFC at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Cortez, who stayed unbeaten in the UFC in her return from a 16-month layoff.
Tracy Cortez vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
Result: <Tracy Cortez def. Jasmine Jasudavicius via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Updated records: Cortez (11-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC), Jasudavicius (9-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC)
Key stats: Jasudavicius landed a pair of takedowns, had three minutes of control time, and only narrowly lost the striking battle, but only picked up one round from the three judges.
Cortez on the fight's key moment
“I feel really good. I’m in good spirits – happy to be here, happy to come back and have that performance that I did. I really showcased my hands a lot more, showed my evolution, how I’ve evolved and grown. That was the game plan. We knew that she was going to fight the way that she did. With my team, it was just getting me comfortable in there. Every week, we made sure we had new looks. We had new girls coming in, from world muay Thai fighters to Bellator fighters, wrestlers. They were coming in, just giving me different looks, making sure that I was comfortable, and coming here today, it gave me that confidence.”
Cortez on her spot on the prelims
“You know, (it bothered me) a little bit (to be so low on the prelims). I was a little salty, like, ‘Come on, man. I know I have a big fan base coming in to watch me and support me.’ But it’s OK – much respect (to the UFC). There’s a lot of athletes here that are consistent. I’m very accountable and I know that I haven’t been too consistent. Hopefully you guys will see a change in that. As time goes by, you will see me move up.”
Cortez on what she wants next
“This is something I’m going to have to talk to my coaches about, but I’m healthy. I’m good. If we can get something in December, January, that would be ideal. I know that I don’t want to just fight to fight. I’ve been in the UFC long enough. I’m undefeated in the UFC. I’m going to celebrate this win and after that, behind me and on to the next. But I do want to make a title run – absolutely.”
To hear more from Cortez, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.
