TLDR
- Tracy Cortez addressed criticism of her dating life, saying she has only had two public relationships
- Cortez is frustrated with fans judging her appearance and personal choices instead of her fighting
- She faces Wang Cong at UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas during International Fight Week
- Cortez wants a rematch with Rose Namajunas on her path to a flyweight title shot
- Her loss to Erin Blanchfield made her train harder and more mentally focused on championship goals
Sources: fightbookmma.com | lowkickmma.com
UFC flyweight contender Tracy Cortez has pushed back against fans who criticize her personal life, saying she refuses to be judged for dating while pursuing her fighting career. Cortez faces Wang Cong at UFC 329 on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Cortez has been the subject of online attention after her past relationship with UFC fighter Brian Ortega and more recent connection to Alex Pereira became talking points on social media. Reports around New Year’s said Cortez and Pereira had gone public with their relationship.
Speaking to Stake ahead of her fight, Cortez said the reaction has gone too far. “People have come out with the craziest things,” she said.
“I mean, the memes that I’ve seen and it’s just like in reality, I’ve only been in two public relationships and I don’t even consider one too public. It was, you know, it was like a post and then a week later it was, you know, done.”
Cortez said both relationships ended mutually without any drama. “God forbid a girl is doing good in her life, single, and wants to date,” she said.
Tracy Cortez has no "fear" of Wang Cong at #UFC329 and say she's ready to prove her title worth and make a run at gold.
(via @DannySeguraTV) pic.twitter.com/3RFKFckH9N
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 7, 2026
Cortez Says Fans Judge Female Fighters Differently
The flyweight contender compared the expectations placed on fighters to other professions. “Just because a teacher acts a certain way at school doesn’t mean she’s going to be, or he is going to be, like a nerd outside of school,” she said.
“People see a fighter and they’re just like, ‘What are you doing out here eating at a restaurant? You should be training.’ God forbid a girl has a life, you know? God forbid a girl likes to wear lip gloss.”
Cortez said fans often try to put her in a box based on stereotypes. “People like to put me in a box and I’m just not that. I’m many things. I’m not just a fighter,” she said.
She added that she does not care if people judge her appearance. “I’m expanding my career. I’m doing many other things and I don’t really care if they judge me for my appearance to be honest,” Cortez said.
Eyes on Title Shot After Recent Losses
Cortez is focused on getting back in title contention after losses to Rose Namajunas and Erin Blanchfield. She holds a 12-3 record entering her fight with Wang Cong, who comes in at 9-1.
The loss to Blanchfield hurt the most because a win could have put her in title contention. “I knew after if I would have won that fight, I could have possibly been the title challenger, if not one more fight,” she said.
Cortez said the defeat made her train differently. “I’m training with a lot more purpose,” she said. “After that loss it’s become a lot more mental for sure.”
She wants a rematch with Namajunas on her path to a flyweight title shot. “I grew up watching her become a strawweight champion. Being able to fight and share the octagon with someone like her, she’s going to be a Hall of Famer,” Cortez said.
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Cortez took the Namajunas fight on two weeks’ notice and went to the championship rounds at high altitude. “I know if I would have gone in prepared for that fight, it would have gone a lot different,” she said.
For UFC 329, Cortez said she plans to dominate. “I’m going in there to hurt these girls from here on out. I’m not just going to try to play it safe,” she said.
Cortez believes Wang Cong is a one or two punch striker. “I personally think I’m faster. I think I throw a lot more volume. And I think my wrestling is going to also change a lot of how people think the fight is going to go,” she said.
The fight takes place on the same card where Conor McGregor returns against Max Holloway in the main event. UFC 329 happens during International Fight Week in Las Vegas.
