MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to interrupt down the most important fights within the UFC. At the moment, he takes a better take a look at the UFC on ESPN 59 predominant occasion between former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas and Tracy Cortez, who’s undefeated within the promotion.
Rose Namajunas UFC on ESPN 59 preview
Staple information:
- Peak: 5’5″ Age: 32 Weight: 125 lbs. Attain: 65″
- Final combat: Determination win over Amanda Ribas(March 23, 2024)
- Camp: Genesis (Denver, Co.)
- Stance/placing model: Orthodox/kickboxing
- Threat administration: Good
Supplemental information:
+ Former UFC strawweight champion
+ Taekwondo and karate black belts
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt
+ 2 KO victories
+ 5 submission wins
+ 3 first-round finishes
+ Good feints and footwork
^ Manages distance properly
+ Correct and efficient jab
+ Counters properly with proper hand
+ Improved wrestling capacity
+ Stable high recreation/positional rides
^ Appears for/floats towards again
+ Energetic and attacking guard
Tracy Cortez UFC on ESPN 59 preview
Staple information:
- Peak: 5’5″ Age: 30 Weight: 125 lbs. Attain: 65.5″
- Final combat: Determination win over Jasmine Jasudavicius (Sept. 16, 2023)
- Camp: Battle Prepared (Arizona)
- Stance/placing model: Orthodox/kickboxing
- Threat administration: Good
Supplemental information:
+ Beginner MMA accoldes
+ Wrestling base
+ 1 KO victory
+ 1 submission win
+ 1 first-round end
+ Constant tempo and stress
+ Steadily enhancing placing expertise
+ Exhausting hooks and crosses
^ Coming ahead or off the counter
+ Sturdy contained in the clinch
^ Stable placing and slick inside journeys
+ Wonderful wrestling capacity
^ Rides properly from topside
+/- Stepping in on brief discover
Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez focal point: The price of counters
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 23: (L-R) Rose Namajunas punches Amanda Ribas of Brazil in a flyweight combat in the course of the UFC Battle Evening occasion at UFC APEX on March 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Picture by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs)
The principle occasion in Denver options an impromptu pairing of feminine flyweights accustomed to the price of counters.
An aggressive wrestle-boxer by nature, Cortez has seen her fair proportion of counterstrikes throughout her 7-year skilled profession. That stated, Cortez has been capable of stability out that dynamic by way of the regular dose of enhancements she’s been exhibiting on the toes.
Not solely can Cortez counter with the level-changing takedown threats that she retains in her again pocket, however the Battle Prepared product has sharpened up her placing choices at vary. Whether or not she’s returning a leg kick or shaking up the rhythm with a hook-cross changeup down the pike, Cortez has gotten higher at disguising her intentions and returns.
Cortez additionally has a pure aptitude for clinch placing, working significantly properly when establishing frames whereas her opponent is pinned towards the fence. These attributes will definitely serve Cortez properly from a stylistic perspective, however she’ll nonetheless have to respect the site visitors that’s coming again her manner.
Enter Namajunas.
A proficient opportunist who can intensify her size by way of correct and concise jabs, Namanjunas presents some tough distances for her opponents to cowl on paper.
Namajunas does properly with judging the chance versus reward concerning her choices of following up with crosses and kicks or backing up out of vary. The 32-year-old has additionally massively improved her capacity to set issues up off of feints underneath the tutelage of Trevor Wittman – a coach who has helped Namajunas hone in on her expertise by sharpening her total fundamentals.
Nevertheless, it has been obvious that Wittman’s presence has steadily light out from Namajunas’ camp and nook in latest fights. Now primarily coaching underneath her accomplice, Pat Barry, Namajunas seems to movement somewhat extra freely together with her strategy.
Namajunas nonetheless possesses a whole lot of the core fundamentals that have been sharpened underneath Wittman’s watch, however the former strawweight champ will now shift stances far more offensively, exhibiting some stable competency when understanding from southpaw.
Nonetheless, I’m unsure how a lot shifting we’ll see from Namajunas given the looming level-changing threats from Cortez.
Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez breakdown: Potential grappling threats
Could 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Tracy Cortez pins Melissa Gatto to the mat throughout UFC 274 at Footprint Middle. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities
Given Cortez’s on-paper edge within the wrestling realm, nobody ought to be shocked if she makes an attempt to floor Namajunas early and sometimes.
Wrestling from a younger age, Cortez brings a robust skillset that has historically been a bit extra uncommon to return throughout within the ladies’s divisions. Not solely does Cortez possess stable level-changing pictures, however the Mexican-American additionally chains assaults seamlessly to her inside journey at any time when in closed quarters (which is a signature transfer of her longtime mentor, Henry Cejudo).
Nevertheless, in Namajunas’ protection, the previous strawweight champ has made quiet enhancements to each her wrestling and total grappling all through the years.
After struggling her first loss to Carla Esparza, Namajunas hit an instantaneous upswing in her grappling skills, displaying that she had extra to supply than simply opportunistic submissions from her again. Using offensive wrestling and high stress, Namajunas started taking down her counterparts, exposing them to submissions beneath her suggestive shoulder stress and slick transitions.
So far as her protection goes, Namajunas has demonstrated glorious instincts concerning her use of whizzers along side some slick butterflies and legwork that assist her get again to her toes when taken down. That stated, Namajunas will nonetheless have to be cautious when giving again publicity in scrambles given Cortez’s strengths.
Except for being a reliable backtaker who can seal rounds with superior management time and offense, Cortez additionally seems to have a real urge for food for driving her opposition from topside whereas touchdown damaging strikes.
However with floor strikes usually permitting for house, count on scrambles to be a potent two-way avenue on this stylistic affair. And if Cortez permits Namajunas to create scrambles, then she’s going to have to be aware of her wrestling-centric tendency to tripod to her base.
An outstanding back-taker, Namajunas has a knack for floating to or discovering the again of her opponent in transit. And on condition that Namajunas is undefeated in fights by which she has scored a back-take, this may undoubtedly be the state of affairs to search for throughout grappling exchanges.
Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez odds
The oddsmakers and the general public are siding with the previous strawweight champion, itemizing Namajunas -235 and Cortez +180 through FanDuel.
Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez prediction, choose
Nov 6, 2021; New York, NY, USA; Rose Namajunas (crimson gloves) competes towards Zhang Weili (blue gloves) throughout UFC 268 at Madison Sq. Backyard. Necessary Credit score: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports activities
Between Namajunas being the extra confirmed product and the short-notice context for Cortez, seeing a 2-1 unfold in favor of “Thug Rose” doesn’t essentially shock me.
Cortez could have already been in camp for a combat that was just one week out from this Saturday, however that prep was for a totally totally different fighter in what was a three-round affair. If Cortez have been preventing Namajunas on a full camp within the smaller octagon of the UFC Apex, then I’d truthfully take into account pulling the set off on her as an underdog given the stylistic nature at play.
Not solely have superior wrestlers and clinch fighters usually troubled Namajunas, however Cortez seems to have a robust strategic presence in her nook that’s chiefed by Santino DeFranco.
Nonetheless, with this combat happening within the large cage, Cortez can have a whole lot of distance to cowl if she means to trace down the fleet of foot Namajunas. Couple that with Cortez’s propensity to get countered off of kicks, and I can’t assist however facet with Namajunas on this spot.
Except for making some stable strides in her conventional bother areas, Namajunas appears to be feeling assured heading into this Saturday’s contest – which normally spells bother for whoever is standing throughout from her.
Rose Namajunas vs. Tracy Cortez begin time, the place to observe
As the primary occasion, Namajunas and Cortez are anticipated to make their walks to the octagon at roughly 12:30 a.m. ET. The combat broadcasts stay on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC on ESPN 59.
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