The UFC 329 preliminary fight card featured a women’s flyweight bout between Top 10 ranked contenders Tracy Cortez and Wang Cong.
Cortez entered the bout ranked No. 8 in the division. The 32 year-old was looking to rebound from a loss in her last outing to No. 4 ranked Erin Blanchfield. She changed gyms and moved to Mexico City to prepare for Saturday’s matchup.
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Cong made the walk to the octagon inside T-Mobile Arena ranked No. 10 in the weight class and riding a three-fight winning streak. The Chinese rising star was hoping to build on the momentum.
Cortez pressed forward and took the fight to Cong in the early going. Cong connected with a right hand followed by a leg kick. They traded right hands. Cong delivered a calf kick that briefly knocked Cortez off her feet. Cong continued to target the legs of Cortez. Cortez stepped in the pocket with a stiff right hand. Cortez’ lead leg was showing the damage. Cortez closed the distance and clinched. She briefly secured a takedown. Cong immediately got to her feet fending off a guillotine choke attempt in the process. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Cong.
Cortez came out aggressive in the second round. She either slipped for or her leg gave out on her as she was attempting to change levels. She got to her feet and landed a clean left hand. Cong stuck to the strategy of attacking the legs of Cortez. Cong connected with a left hand. Cortez pressed forward with a combination. She looked for a takedown and Cong delivered an illegal knee that landed on the face of Cortez. The referee took a point from Cong.
Cortez pressed forward with punches when the action restarted. Cong’s jab began landing frequently. Cortez snuck in a right hand. Cong responded with a right and inched forward. She continued to delivered leg kicks. MMAWeekly scored the round 9-9 with the point deduction.
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Cortez’ corner told her to get the fight to the ground between rounds and “elbow” her.
Cong landed a left hook followed by a calf kick to start the final frame. Cortez looked for a takedown. She clinched but was unable to get Cong to the ground. They separated and Cong landed a jab. Cong delivered another calf kick that forced Cortez to switch stances. Cortez worked to get the fight to the ground but Cong remained standing and circled free. Cortez connected with a clean right hand. Cong went to the body with a right hand. Cortez fired back but missed. Cong made her pay with a counter right. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Cong.
The judges scored the fight for Cong via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 29-27, 29-27, and 29-27.
