Tracy Cortez Bio
Tracy R. Cortez (born December 10, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women’s Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of July 1, 2025, she is ranked number eight in the UFC women’s flyweight rankings. She is recognized for her well-rounded skill set, durability, and a record built largely on decision wins inside the Octagon.
Early Life and Background
Tracy R. Cortez was born on December 10, 1993, in Phoenix, Arizona, in the United States, and grew up in a household shaped by her family’s Mexican roots. She has three brothers, Jose Cortez, J.R. Cortez, and Abraham Cortez, and her early years were influenced heavily by her oldest brother, Jose, who had aspired to compete in the UFC. Cortez has often spoken about how her family’s immigrant background and close-knit structure helped shape her discipline and work ethic.
At the age of 14, Cortez began training in mixed martial arts after watching her brother Jose fight and defeat former UFC veteran Drew Fickett in November 2008. Jose later stepped away from competition when he was diagnosed with cardiovascular issues and then with germ cell cancer; he passed away from the disease in 2011. Cortez carries a tattoo on her arm in remembrance of her brother, and she has said that his memory continues to motivate her during the toughest moments of her career.
Following her brother’s death, Cortez struggled with depression but found support from her family and from Henry Cejudo and Angel Cejudo, who had been close friends of Jose. She has credited that support network with helping her refocus on training and pursuing a professional fighting career. Today, she lives and trains out of Fight Ready MMA and Neuro Force One, where she works under trainer Santino Defranco.
Path to MMA
Cortez began her competitive career as an amateur, fighting under World Fighting Federation and King of the Cage (KOTC). She built a 3–0 amateur record, which was enough to earn the attention of Invicta Fighting Championships, one of the leading platforms for women’s mixed martial arts at the time. Her amateur success gave her a clear pathway into professional MMA and set the foundation for her eventual move toward a major North American promotion.
Tracy Cortez Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Cortez made her professional debut with Invicta Fighting Championships on August 31, 2017, against Cheri Muraski at Invicta FC 25: Kunitskaya vs. Pa’aluhi. She lost that bout via submission in the second round, but the experience marked her entry onto the professional stage. Just months later, in November 2017, she returned to the World Fighting Federation and secured a win over Roxanne Ceasear via unanimous decision.
In 2018, Cortez found her rhythm with three straight victories. She defeated Kaytlin Neil at Invicta FC 28 by unanimous decision, then picked up wins over Monica Median at V3 Fight Night 69 and Karen Cedillo at Combate Americas: Alday vs. Lopez. Those results helped establish her as a rising prospect and laid the groundwork for a high-profile opportunity on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Invicta and Contender Series Breakthrough (2019)
On February 15, 2019, Cortez faced Erin Blanchfield at Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez, a bout she won by split decision. The victory added another notable name to her resume and helped position her for a shot at a UFC contract. Her performance through 2019 turned her into one of the most talked-about flyweight prospects outside the UFC roster.
That momentum peaked on July 30, 2019, when Cortez appeared on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series, Season 3, Episode 6, against Mariya Agapova. She earned a unanimous decision win, and the performance was strong enough for her to be signed by the UFC. The Contender Series stage effectively served as her official breakthrough moment into the world’s largest MMA promotion.
UFC Era (2019–Present)
Cortez made her UFC debut on November 16, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 22, stepping in against Vanessa Melo after Duda Santana withdrew from the bout. The fight was originally booked at bantamweight, and after a weigh-in controversy involving a miscalibrated scale, Cortez won the bout by unanimous decision. The victory launched her UFC tenure with a strong, if unconventional, start.
Over the next several years, Cortez put together a series of decision wins inside the Octagon. She defeated Stephanie Egger at UFC Fight Night 179 in October 2020, then outpointed Justine Kish at UFC on ESPN 22 in April 2021 in a catchweight bout after missing the flyweight limit by half a pound. After an injury forced her out of a scheduled bout with JJ Aldrich in August 2021, she returned in 2022 to beat Melissa Gatto by unanimous decision at UFC 274. A scheduled fight with Amanda Ribas at UFC on ESPN 42 in December 2022 was canceled due to a medical issue, and she came back in September 2023 to defeat Jasmine Jasudavicius by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 227.
In 2024, Cortez was pulled from a bout with Miranda Maverick at UFC on ESPN 60 to step in as a replacement against Rose Namajunas at UFC on ESPN 59, where she lost by unanimous decision. A rescheduled bout with Miranda Maverick at UFC on ESPN 63 in December 2024 was canceled after Cortez was forced to withdraw due to health issues that required surgery. She bounced back on June 28, 2025, at UFC 317, defeating Viviane Araújo by unanimous decision. On November 15, 2025, at UFC 322, Cortez faced Erin Blanchfield in a rematch and lost via rear-naked choke submission in the second round. She is scheduled to face Wang Cong on July 11, 2026, at UFC 329.
Style and Strengths
Cortez is known for her cardio, composure, and ability to grind out opponents over the course of a full fight. Much of her UFC success has come through disciplined decision wins, reflecting a patient, high-volume approach built around consistency rather than one-punch power. Her work with trainer Santino Defranco at Fight Ready MMA has emphasized well-rounded development and the mental toughness that has defined her career since her amateur days.
Notable Events and Milestones
Signing with the UFC through Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series in 2019 stands as one of the defining milestones of her career. Her unanimous decision win over Mariya Agapova on that stage earned her a UFC contract and announced her arrival on the sport’s biggest platform. Other key moments include her UFC debut win over Vanessa Melo, her first UFC main-card victory over Justine Kish, and her ranked-flyweight appearance against former champion Rose Namajunas in 2024.
Tracy Cortez Career Wins
Tracy Cortez has compiled an overall professional mixed martial arts record of 12 wins and 3 losses across 15 total bouts, with her victories spread across Invicta Fighting Championships, the UFC, and other regional promotions. The majority of her wins have come by decision, reflecting a style built on durability and consistent output. Her career has progressed steadily from regional shows in the American Southwest to a ranked position inside the UFC’s women’s flyweight division.
UFC Highlights
Inside the UFC, Cortez has built her record largely on unanimous and split decision victories. Her Octagon wins include decision victories over Vanessa Melo, Stephanie Egger, Justine Kish, Melissa Gatto, Jasmine Jasudavicius, and Viviane Araújo. She has also shared the Octagon with high-profile names such as Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield, experiences that have helped elevate her profile within the women’s flyweight division.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Cortez has earned wins under Invicta Fighting Championships, World Fighting Federation, V3 Fights, and Combate Americas. Her most notable pre-UFC victory came against Erin Blanchfield at Invicta FC 34, a split-decision win that helped set the stage for her Contender Series opportunity. These regional and invitational performances were crucial in shaping her into a UFC-ready prospect.
Tracy Cortez Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tracy R. Cortez comes from a tight-knit family of Mexican descent, raised in Phoenix, Arizona, alongside her three brothers, Jose Cortez, J.R. Cortez, and Abraham Cortez. Her oldest brother, Jose, was a central influence on her career, having fought professionally before being forced to stop competing due to cardiovascular issues. The family has remained a foundational part of her support system throughout her rise in mixed martial arts.
Personal Life
Cortez was previously engaged to fellow UFC fighter Brian Ortega, though media reports later indicated the engagement had ended. She has spoken publicly about the role of her family, particularly her late brother Jose, in motivating her during difficult stretches of training and competition. Outside of fighting, she is based in Phoenix, Arizona, where she continues to live and train.
2025 Season Performance
Tracy Cortez’s 2025 campaign opened with continued momentum inside the UFC’s women’s flyweight division. She entered the year ranked within the top ten and looked to build on a string of decision wins that had defined her recent Octagon appearances. Her work with Fight Ready MMA and trainer Santino Defranco remained a steady foundation for her preparation and in-fight strategy.
On June 28, 2025, Cortez added another unanimous decision victory to her record when she defeated Viviane Araújo at UFC 317, reinforcing her ranking and her reputation as one of the more durable fighters in the division. The win kept her in the title conversation as the flyweight picture continued to develop around her. Her placement at number eight in the official UFC women’s flyweight rankings reflected the consistency of her performances across multiple fight camps.
On November 15, 2025, at UFC 322, Cortez faced Erin Blanchfield in a rematch of their 2019 Invicta bout. This time, Blanchfield earned the victory, catching Cortez with a rear-naked choke submission in the second round. Despite the loss, Cortez remained a relevant name in the division and is scheduled to return against Wang Cong on July 11, 2026, at UFC 329, giving her a clear next opportunity to climb back up the rankings.
