'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Rose Namajunas is currently scheduled to face Tracy Cortez in a highly-anticipated flyweight (125-pound) bout. Their fight will headline UFC Denver (aka UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez). The event will transpire at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, USA, on July 13, 2024. Google's AI Gemini shared which fighter it thinks would get their hand raised in the matchup.
Initially, Namajunas was scheduled to face longtime rival Maycee Barber at the event. Nevertheless, Barber withdrew from the matchup last month and was replaced by Cortez.
Barber eventually revealed that her withdrawal was due to serious health issues. Ergo, the Namajunas-Cortez match ended up being finalized as the new headliner for UFC Denver.
Trending
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Google's AI Gemini suggested that Rose Namajunas would likely emerge victorious against Tracy Cortez, owing to her skillset, experience, and the fact that she trains at high altitudes in Denver.
Expounding upon the three major reasons why it views 'Thug' as the favorite against Cortez, the AI prediction first addressed the experience aspect. It noted that Namajunas is a former UFC champion who's proven her mettle against elite opposition, whereas Cortez has yet to do so.
Secondly, the AI acknowledged that Cortez is an aggressive fighter, but indicated that Namajunas is a well-rounded fighter with an advantage over her foe in the grappling and striking departments.
Thirdly, it alluded that Namajunas has long stayed and trained in Denver, which is a high-altitude city. Another allusion was that Cortez, who was born in Phoenix and fights out of Scottsdale, Arizona, might struggle to match Namajunas' cardio at high altitude because the fight is taking place in Denver.
While Gemini picked Namajunas as the probable winner, it noted that the prediction wasn't foolproof, as Cortez's aggression and their fight being booked on short notice could affect the outcome.
Former UFC champion Rose Namajunas looks to build momentum after triumphant start to 2024
At just 32 years of age, Rose Namajunas is a veteran of the sport and has had two separate reigns as the UFC women's strawweight (115-pound) champion. The former strawweight ruler made her flyweight divisional debut against Manon Fiorot in Sept. 2023. France's Fiorot defeated Namajunas via unanimous decision.
Regardless, 'Thug' bounced back in her very next fight, defeating Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision in March 2024. Having commenced her 2024 calendar year with a victorious octagon outing, Rose Namajunas earned herself the No. 6 position in the official UFC women's flyweight rankings.
On the other hand, Tracy Cortez stands at the No. 11 spot in the rankings. The consensus is that a win over the No. 4-ranked Maycee Barber would've benefited Namajunas even more, possibly even catapulting her into the flyweight title picture.
Nevertheless, with Barber out, she's now set to fight Cortez and would be hoping to build momentum with a win and fight a top-five-ranked opponent next.
