Mission accomplished for Rose Namajunas .
The former UFC strawweight champion felt she got the job done on all fronts in her main event bout at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 59 in Denver.
Namajunas (14-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC) defeated Tracy Cortez by unanimous decision to improve to 2-1 since moving up to the women’s flyweight division in September.
“Absolutely, I’m happy with it,” Namajunas said about her performance at the UFC on ESPN 59 post-fight press conference. “I’m happy with: One, having little injury. Two, being able to win. And three, I felt it was a pretty exciting fight.
“I wanted a finish, of course. It’s been a while since I’ve finished somebody, since like what, 2020, 2021? So of course I want to finish, but it felt I got pretty close. In the first, I dropped her. Overall, I’m very happy.”
Namajunas, 32, said she felt her performance against Cortez (11-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) showed she’s finally settling in at 125 pounds. She lost her divisional debut to top contender Manon Fiorot, but has since bounced back with consecutive victories over Amanda Ribas and Cortez.
Social media reacts to Rose Namajunas' dominant win over Tracy Cortez at UFC on ESPN 59
Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez at UFC on ESPN 59: Best photos
“It’s just taken a while for me with all the stuff we had worked on, you know, it’s just building blocks, and I had to build my momentum to get to this point,” Namajunas said. “Now my shoulders feel really good. My right one still aches sometimes. I’ve just got to let it fully heal. I think it’s just going to keep getting better and there’s a lot to improve on, still.”
As Namajunas looks forward, she continues toward her goal of joining Amanda Nunes as the only females in UFC history to claim titles in two weight classes.
Whether it’s a rebooking against Maycee Barber, who she was originally scheduled to fight on the card, or a matchup with someone else, Namajunas just wants to find a way to strike gold.
“100 percent (I think I moved closed to a title shot),” Namajunas said. “All that matters is winning, right? So, here we go.
“When (Barber) feels better maybe we can talk about it, but ultimately I’m just forward-thinking right now.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 59 .
Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez, UFC on ESPN 59
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; An overall view of the octagon before the fight between… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; An overall view of the octagon before the fight between Rose Namajunas (red gloves) and Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; An overall view of the octagon before the fight between… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; An overall view of the octagon before the fight between Rose Namajunas (red gloves) and Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) fights Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; A ring girl walks around the octagon during the night… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; A ring girl walks around the octagon during the night between Rose Namajunas (red gloves) and Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) and Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) reacts… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) and Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) reacts after their fight during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) reacts after her right against Rose… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) reacts after her right against Rose Namajunas (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Tracy Cortez (blue… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) celebrates after defeating Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) reacts after her fight against Tracy… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) reacts after her fight against Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) reacts after her right against Rose… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) reacts after her right against Rose Namajunas (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) hugs Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) after… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) hugs Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) after their fight during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) celebrates with fans after defeating Tracy… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) celebrates with fans after defeating Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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MMA: UFC Fight Night-Denver-Namajunas vs Cortez Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) celebrates with fans after defeating Tracy… Jul 13, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Rose Namajunas (red gloves) celebrates with fans after defeating Tracy Cortez (blue gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
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Rose Namajunas def. Tracy Cortez, UFC on ESPN 59 scorecard
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