Tracy Cortez Withdraws From UFC Tampa Bout
In a disappointing turn of events for fight fans, Tracy Cortez has been forced to withdraw from her highly anticipated bout against Miranda Maverick at UFC on ESPN 63 in Tampa, Florida. The event, scheduled for December 14 at Amalie Arena, has lost one of its exciting matchups due to an undisclosed injury suffered by Cortez.
The Canceled Bout
This marks the second time the Cortez-Maverick fight has been called off this year. The pair were originally slated to face each other on July 20 in Las Vegas. However, that bout was scrapped when Cortez was moved to the main event of UFC Denver on July 13, facing former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas.
Cortez, who holds an impressive 11-2 MMA record (5-1 in the UFC), was looking to bounce back from her unanimous decision loss to Namajunas. The fight against Maverick presented an opportunity for Cortez to regain momentum in the competitive flyweight division.
Impact on Miranda Maverick
Despite the setback, Miranda Maverick is expected to remain on the UFC Tampa card. The UFC is actively seeking a replacement opponent for Maverick, who boasts a 14-5 MMA record (7-3 in the UFC). Maverick enters this event on a three-fight win streak, having recently defeated Dione Barbosa by unanimous decision.
UFC Tampa Card Update
While the loss of the Cortez-Maverick bout is undoubtedly disappointing, UFC on ESPN 63 still promises an exciting lineup for fight fans. The current card includes:
- Ian Machado Garry vs. Joaquin Buckley
- Mackenzie Dern vs. Amanda Ribas
- Dustin Jacoby vs. Vitor Petrino
- Josefine Knutsson vs. Piera Rodriguez
- Navajo Stirling vs. Tuco Tokkos
- Davey Grant vs. Ramon Taveras
- Manel Kape vs. Bruno Silva
- Ottman Azaitar vs. Michael Johnson
- Daniel Marcos vs. Adrian Yanez
Looking Ahead
As the UFC scrambles to find a replacement for Cortez, fight fans will be eagerly awaiting news of Maverick’s new opponent. The situation also raises questions about Cortez’s future in the promotion, as this marks her second withdrawal from a scheduled bout with Maverick.
For now, all eyes are on the UFC as they work to maintain the integrity of the Tampa card and provide Miranda Maverick with a worthy opponent. As always In MMA, adaptability is key, and this latest development serves as a reminder of the sport’s unpredictable nature.
Stay tuned for updates on the UFC Tampa card and Miranda Maverick’s next opponent as we approach the December 14 event date.
Citations:
[1] https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/11/ufc-news-tracy-cortez-vs-miranda-maverick-injury
[2] https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-mma-news-why-is-tracy-cortez-out-of-miranda-maverick-fight-at-ufc-tampa/
[3] https://www.lowkickmma.com/tracy-cortez-withdraws-ufc-tampa/
