Earlier tonight at UFC 329, women’s flyweight contender Tracy Cortez failed to return to winning ways against the surging Wang Cong.
The Chinese fighter picked up Cortez’s lead leg from the opening bell and even dropped the 32-year-old. Although Cortez managed to land a few sharp counters, “The Joker” kept her on the back foot for the majority of the bout.
In Round 2, referee Jason Herzog took a point from Cong for an illegal knee on Cortez, but once the bout resumed, the Chinese fighter pressed forward, piecing up Cortez’s face and body, seemingly enough to steal the second round despite the point deduction.
In Round 3, Cong followed the same approach, mixed up her targets, beat up Cortez’s left leg, and forced the latter to change stances.
Cortez attempted a few takedowns in the final round, but Cong’s takedown defense held up well. “The Joker” continued to pressure Cortez with relentless body shots, keeping her on the back foot as the exhausted Mexican tried to survive until the final bell.
Official decision: Wang Cong defeats Tracy Cortez by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, and 29-27).
After getting her hand raised, Wang Cong called out her former kickboxing foe Valentina Shevchenko, the current and two-time UFC women’s flyweight queen.
