UFC Denver Main Event Betting Odds & Analysis: Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez

Fight Info

• UFC Denver Main Event
• Who: Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez
• Date: Saturday, July 13, 2024
• Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Time: Prelims (7:00 p.m. ET), Main Card (10:00 p.m. ET)
• How to Watch: Prelims (ESPN, ESPN+), Main Card (ESPN, ESPN+)

The UFC returns to Denver for the first time since 2018, featuring a main event between former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and Tracy Cortez in a flyweight bout.

Namajunas is ranked No. 6, while Cortez is No. 11, stepping in for the No. 4 ranked Maycee Barber who withdrew in late June.

Fighter Background

Rose Namajunas (-235)

• Record: 12-6
• Rose Namajunas debuted in the 125-pound division in September 2023, where she lost by decision to Manon Fiorot. She bounced back with a decision victory over Amanda Ribas in March.

Tracy Cortez (+200)

• Record: 11-1
• Tracy Cortez is on an undefeated streak since her UFC debut in November 2019. She recently secured a decision victory over Jasmine Jasudavicius in September.

Head To Head Fighter Statistics

Rose Namajunas	Fighter	Tracy Cortez
13-6-0	Record	11-1-0
5′ 5″	Height	5′ 5″
125 lbs	Weight	126 lbs
65″	Reach	65.5″
Orthodox	Stance	Orthodox
3.69	Sig Strk LPM	4.11
45.79	Sig Strk Acc	61.55
1.38	Takedown Average	2.33
47.62	Takedown Accuracy	46.67
0.48	Submission Average	0.33

Betting Breakdown

Rose Namajunas

Namajunas faced numerous questions heading into her fight with Amanda Ribas, especially after her lackluster performance against Carla Esparza.

She improved her accuracy in the Ribas fight, landing 49 percent of her strikes compared to 40 percent against Fiorot. Namajunas also demonstrated strong control time, accumulating nearly seven minutes on the mat.

Key Stats:

• Significant Strikes Landed per Minute: 3.69
• Accuracy: 41%
• Strikes Absorbed per Minute: 3.51
• Defense: 63%
• Takedowns per 15 Minutes: 1.38
• Takedown Accuracy: 47%
• Takedown Defense: 59%

Tracy Cortez

Despite less experience, Cortez has impressive stats, particularly in grappling. Her defense on the feet is notable, absorbing 2.79 strikes per minute while maintaining over six minutes of control time in her initial UFC fights.

Note that her striking can be inconsistent, and her power is lacking. Cortez was originally training for a three-round fight, which could impact her performance in this five-round main event.

Key Stats:

• Significant Strikes Landed per Minute: 4.11
• Accuracy: 53%
• Striking Defense: 60%
• Takedowns per 15 Minutes: 2.33
• Takedown Accuracy: 46%
• Takedown Defense: 75%

Best Bets: UFC Denver Main Event – Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez

Namajunas holds the edge in experience, high-altitude training, five-round fight conditioning, and quality of opposition. These factors make her this writer’s pick to win by decision against Tracy Cortez in the UFC Denver main event.