Tracy Cortez

Tracy Cortez is an American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC women's flyweight division. As of 2025, she is ranked #8 in the world, known for her relentless wrestling and decision-heavy fighting style. Cortez has built a reputation as a durable, well-rounded fighter who pushes a relentless pace, earning wins over notable opponents like Mariya Agapova and Virna Araújo. Her journey from a tragedy-stricken teenager to a ranked UFC contender has made her a fan favorite, especially within the Latin community. Cortez trains at Fight Ready MMA in Scottsdale, Arizona, and continues to climb the flyweight ranks with a 12-3 professional record. [edit]

Cortez grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, as the youngest of four children in a Mexican immigrant household. At age 14, she watched her oldest brother Jose compete in a fight against former UFC veteran Drew Fickett in November 2008. Jose won that match, and the experience sparked Tracy's interest in MMA. She began training shortly after. Jose had dreamed of fighting in the UFC but stopped competing due to cardiovascular problems and was later diagnosed with germ cell cancer. He died from the disease in 2011. Tracy struggled with depression after his death but found support from family and friends. Brothers Henry and Angel Cejudo, both accomplished wrestlers, helped guide her back into fighting. She has a tattoo on her arm in remembrance of Jose. [edit]

Cortez turned professional in 2017, fighting in regional promotions like World Fighting Federation and Invicta FC. She won her first four fights, including a split decision over future UFC contender Erin Blanchfield at Invicta FC 34 in February 2019. That same year, she defeated Mariya Agapova on Dana White's Contender Series in July 2019, earning a UFC contract. She made her UFC debut in November 2019 with a unanimous decision win over Vanessa Melo. Cortez then won four straight UFC fights, including victories over Stephanie Egger, Justine Kish, Melissa Gatto, and Jasmine Jasudavicius. In July 2024, she headlined her first UFC event, losing a unanimous decision to former champion Rose Namajunas. She bounced back with a win over Virna Araújo at UFC 317 in June 2025, then lost a rematch to Erin Blanchfield via submission at UFC 322 in November 2025. As of 2026, she is scheduled to face Cong Wang at UFC 329. [edit]

Cortez is portrayed as a rising Latin star in the UFC, known for her resilience after personal tragedy. Her story is often framed around overcoming the loss of her brother and mother. She is described as a Latin star shaping the UFC's unforgettable nights by HOLA! magazine. Cortez is known for her relentless, pressure-heavy fighting style and her ability to grind out decisions. She has a modest but dedicated fan base that admires her work ethic and emotional backstory. Her social media presence is active, though she keeps her personal life relatively private. [edit]

Tracy Cortez does not currently hold a placement in the iFANN Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated her profile as of August 2026 and determined that she remains unranked within these specific published hierarchies. While she commands a substantial following of two million across social platforms like Instagram and X, this audience functions as a standard athletic supporter base rather than a formalized fandom with an official name. No organized campaigns, ritualistic gatherings, or fan-driven cultural projects have been documented for her persona. Her public narrative is defined by competitive milestones, such as the loss to Wang Cong at UFC 329 in July 2026, which marked the first skid of her career, rather than legendary folklore or viral mythology. Interactions at weigh-ins, including the exchange of false eyelashes prior to that bout, are recorded as news items but lack the status of enduring stories retold by the wider culture. Similarly, personal updates regarding her relationship with Alex Pereira generated media attention but did not evolve into a defining legend. The available data characterizes her strictly as an active professional competitor in the women's flyweight division who trains in Scottsdale and Mexico City, relying on standard athlete-fan engagement through sponsor promotions and fight updates. There are no records of fan-funded initiatives, inside jokes permeating MMA culture, or extraordinary crowd reactions that would elevate her status beyond current athletic relevance.[edit]

Tracy Cortez began training in mixed martial arts at age 14 after observing her brother Jose compete. Following his death from germ cell cancer in 2011, she adopted his dream of reaching the UFC, a motivation memorialized by a tattoo on her arm. Brothers Henry and Angel Cejudo provided guidance that helped her return to the sport during this difficult period. She maintains her training camp at Fight Ready MMA in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she focuses on wrestling and grappling. As of recent records, her professional standing includes a 12-4-0 record. A notable competitive moment occurred at UFC 329 when she suffered a defeat against Wang Cong, ending her winning streak. This event also featured a memorable weigh-in interaction where Wang presented Cortez with false eyelashes, a detail later cited in discussions regarding a contested knee strike during the match. Cortez has expressed a desire to face Erin Blanchfield in a trilogy bout, signaling a future goal for her career trajectory.[edit]

Cortez is the youngest of four children, with three older brothers: Jose, J.R., and Abraham. Her oldest brother Jose died from germ cell cancer in 2011. Her mother has also passed away, which Cortez has discussed as a significant impact on her life. She is of Mexican descent and was raised in a household of Mexican immigrants. Cortez fights out of Scottsdale, Arizona, and trains at Fight Ready MMA under trainer Santino Defranco. She does not have any children and her marital status is single as of 2026. [edit]

Cortez is closely associated with her late brother Jose Cortez, who inspired her MMA career. Henry Cejudo, Olympic gold medalist and former UFC champion, and his brother Angel Cejudo helped guide her return to fighting after Jose's death. She trains under Santino Defranco at Fight Ready MMA. Her opponents include Erin Blanchfield (fought twice), Rose Namajunas, and Virna Araújo. [edit]

Tracy Cortez has no publicly confirmed romantic relationships. There are no credible reports of marriages, engagements, or public dating history. Her relationship status as of 2026 is single. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Tracy Cortez's net worth at $1 Million as of 2026. Her financial portfolio is primarily derived from UFC fight purses, win bonuses, and performance awards associated with her ranked status in the flyweight division. Disclosed payouts from Tapology indicate a minimum of $1,000 for a single bout, though actual earnings per appearance are substantially higher given her ranking and activity level. Additional revenue streams include sponsorship agreements and endorsement deals with partners such as Stake Casino and Ghost Lifestyle. Cortez joined the UFC in 2019, and her wealth has accumulated steadily since that transition. No information is available regarding separate business ventures, real estate holdings, or investment portfolios.[edit]