By The UFC Denver event on July 13 is set for a major change in its lineup. Maycee Barber, originally slated to fight Rose Namajunas, has unexpectedly withdrawn due to undisclosed reasons. Tracy Cortez is now poised to take her place and face Namajunas in a flyweight bout at Denver’s Ball Arena.
This update was confirmed by multiple sources to MMA Fighting and initially reported on Twitter by Alex Behunin. Although Barber’s exit is a setback, it presents an opportunity for Cortez, who was already preparing for a fight against Miranda Maverick on July 20. Cortez will now enter the octagon a week earlier for a chance to compete against former champion Namajunas.
Miranda Maverick is expected to remain on the July 20 Fight Night card, with a new opponent yet to be announced. Cortez, who is undefeated with a 6-0 record in the UFC, boasts victories over notable fighters such as Jasmine Jasudavicius, Melissa Gatto, and Justine Kish. She also secured a split decision win against Erin Blanchfield prior to their UFC tenure.
The fight against Namajunas represents a significant step up for Cortez, as she faces a former two-time strawweight champion eager to continue her success following a win over Amanda Ribas. This bout marks Namajunas’ third flyweight match, coming after a loss to Manon Fiorot and a subsequent victory. Cortez’s challenge against Namajunas is expected to be a highlight of the UFC Denver card.
