Preview: UFC Fight Night 227 Prelims

Women’s Flyweights

#14 WFLW | Tracy Cortez (10-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius (9-2, 3-1 UFC)

ODDS: Cortez (-120), Jasudavicius (+100)

It is good to see Cortez finally back in action since inactivity seems to be the only thing holding her back from major progress. Cortez’s performance on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019 was not overly impressive, but her combination of marketability and an inspirational life story essentially made her a lock to receive a contract once she beat Mariya Agapova. From there, she has kept up her success at both bantamweight and flyweight by embracing the grind. Cortez’s striking is still clearly a work in progress, but she is one of the UFC’s best wrestlers at 125 pounds and has been able to coast her way to victories on the mat. Neutralizing submission specialist Melissa Gatto in 2022 was an impressive bit of business—her best win is still likely a pre-UFC victory over current top contender Erin Blanchfield—but it has taken 16 months for Cortez to get back into the cage. She attempts to keep building momentum here against Jasudavicius. There is an amusing contrast in body types between Cortez’s squat frame and the lanky Jasudavicius, but both fighters figure to want this fight in the same range. Canada’s Jasudavicius has built out an effective game centered around pressure. A 2022 loss to Natalia Silva drove home the point that Jasudavicius is a bit slow of foot and can be outmaneuvered, but she is persistent and durable and has proven to be a strong force on her own terms, impressively outwrestling Miranda Maverick for a clear decision win in June. This does not figure to be a pretty fight, but while this could be a tricky test for Cortez, the read is that she can win the wrestling exchanges against an opponent also looking to get in close and lock horns. The pick is Cortez via decision.

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