In an impressive display of striking and grappling, Rose Namajunas delivered a commanding performance to secure a unanimous decision victory over Tracy Cortez in the main event of UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena in Denver. As the No. 6-ranked flyweight, Namajunas utilized her skills to dominate Cortez throughout the fight.

Hailing from Denver herself, Namajunas showcased her hometown advantage, utilizing her superior striking to pick apart Cortez in the early rounds. Demonstrating her exceptional striking ability, Namajunas landed sharp jabs, powerful right hands, and even deposited Cortez on the canvas with a destructive left hook.

However, Cortez refused to back down and adjusted her strategy in the second round to avoid Namajunas' clean strikes. Despite being known for her wrestling, Cortez struggled to implement her skills against Namajunas' impressive grappling. Instead, it was Namajunas who secured a late takedown, setting the tone for the following rounds.

As the fight progressed, Namajunas maintained control, repeatedly taking Cortez down and showcasing exceptional top control. Cortez's attempts to regain control were thwarted by Namajunas' dominant grappling skills, leaving her unable to mount a significant offense. In the closing seconds of the third round, Namajunas delivered a powerful front kick to Cortez's face, solidifying her dominance.

With the judges' scores reading 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in favor of Namajunas, she celebrated her second consecutive win following her flyweight debut loss in 2023 against Manon Fiorot. Addressing the crowd after her impressive victory, Namajunas expressed her desire to bring a belt home to Colorado or compete for a women's BMF title.

Despite this commanding victory, Namajunas may still be a fight or two away from a title opportunity. Flyweight champion Alexa Grasso is set to face Valentina Shevchenko later this year, and Fiorot appears to be next in line. Nevertheless, "Thug Rose" is quickly finding her footing in the new division, ensuring she remains a strong candidate for a title opportunity in the near future.

Tracy Cortez, originally scheduled to face Miranda Maverick the following week, took on the challenge of competing against Namajunas on short notice after Maycee Barber withdrew due to health issues. While Cortez entered the bout as the No. 11-ranked flyweight, Namajunas demonstrated that there are levels to the fight game and handed Cortez her first loss since her professional debut in 2017.

Rose Namajunas' victory over Tracy Cortez at UFC Fight Night truly showcased her dominance in both striking and grappling. As she continues to prove her skills in the flyweight division, fans and experts alike eagerly await her ascent towards a potential title shot in the future.