Erin Blanchfield vs Tracy Cortez Fight Analysis and Top Predictions

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Erin Blanchfield vs Tracy Cortez Fight Analysis and Top Predictions

In the upcoming fight at UFC 322, Erin Blanchfield and Tracy Cortez are set to face off again. This highly anticipated rematch takes place on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Six years ago, the two flyweights competed in Invicta FC, where Cortez won by a narrow split decision.

Fight Background

The fighters, currently ranked No. 4 and No. 8 in the UFC flyweight division, will compete during the preliminaries of UFC 322. This event precedes the co-main event, which features Valentina Shevchenko defending her 125-pound title against Zhang Weili.

Erin Blanchfield’s Comeback

Blanchfield returns to the Octagon after an extended hiatus. She was scheduled to fight Maycee Barber earlier this year, but the match was canceled at the last moment due to Barber’s health issues. Before the cancellation, Blanchfield had secured a significant victory against former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas, winning via unanimous decision with a score of 48-47. In that fight, she successfully executed two takedowns and maintained nearly nine minutes of ground control.

Tracy Cortez’s Recent Performance

Tracy Cortez come into this match with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses. After a loss to Namajunas in July 2024, she rebounded effectively, earning a unanimous decision victory against Viviane Araujo last June, dominating the bout with three takedowns and over eight minutes of control time.

Fighter Statistics

Erin Blanchfield: Record: 13-2
Significant strikes landed: 5.23 per minute
Accuracy: 44%
Takedown average: 1.86 per fight
Takedown defense: 80%

Tracy Cortez: Record: 12-2
Takedown average: 2.19 per fight
Takedown defense: 62%

Fight Predictions

As the fight date approaches, Blanchfield is favored to win with a moneyline of -258 on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Cortez is the underdog at +210. The total rounds for the fight are set at 2.5.

Despite Cortez’s wrestling background, Blanchfield’s relentless pressure and striking pace may give her the edge. With a track record showing that less than half of Blanchfield’s victories come by way of finish, she is likely to secure a win based on the judges’ scorecards.