Smelling the Roses: Namajunas Tipped for UFC Win
Public Side with Former Champ on Namajunas vs Cortez UFC Odds
The Namajunas vs Cortez UFC odds have Rose Namajunas at -225 to improve her 13-6 record against the 11-1 Tracy Cortez. The popular fighter, Namajunas is back in action at UFC Fight Night on Saturday against the rising contender. This women’s flyweight fight is the highlight of the UFC schedule this week. The pair should excite the crowd in Denver.
Namajunas Silencing Critics
There has been a lot of negative talk surrounding Namajunas and her willingness to fight for a title. The former champion came under fire from UFC President Dana White, with White stating that she didn’t want to fight for a title. Whatever the case, she’s one of the toughest fighters in the women’s division, and she deserves to be the -210 favorite with UFC odds.
She recently provided her take on the fighting game.
“Obviously there are times where it sucks, there are times where it beats you up,” Namajunas said. “But I just really, truly feel like this is God’s way of teaching me a lot of lessons about life; how to be hurt, how to lick your wounds and keep going, not change your personality regardless of what is going on, and just be a loving person, no matter what.”
The 32-year-old two-time featherweight championship might have six losses on her record, but she looked good beating Amanda Ribas in March by decision. She landed 93 significant strikes, and although she was taken down four times, Ribas couldn’t secure any submission attempts.
Being a former champion comes with respect, and Cortez hasn’t fought anyone like Namajunas in her career.
Having originally been scheduled to fight Maycee Barber, Namajunas should find it easier against Cortez. Getting -225 with Namajunas vs Cortez UFC odds is tough to overlook for a fighter of her quality.
See you all on Saturday! 🫡#UFCDenver https://t.co/Nfak5cO62A
— UFC (@ufc) July 8, 2024
Nothing to Lose for Cortez
Ranked 11th in the division, Cortez has been thrown into the deep end at UFC Fight Night. The 30-year-old from Phoenix comes off a decision win over Jasmine Jasudavicius and it was a tricky fight for her. She struggled to find her flow against Jasudavicius, who attempted 10 takedowns. However, Namajunas is unlikely to attempt many takedowns.
It could be a stand-up contest, and going toe-to-toe with Namajunas hasn’t ended well for many top UFC fighters, and Cortez isn’t yet among the top.
The +185 underdog has battled injuries throughout her career. She defeated Melissa Gatto in 2022 before having surgery.
“Life got in the way. I tore my pec really bad early in the year and then as it was getting better…end of March, I had surgery on my hand. After I had surgery on my hand, I started running a lot, tore my MCL. So it was just little injuries here and there,” Cortez said.
At her best, she’s a dangerous fighter. The injuries set her career back, but a win over Namajunas would shoot her near the top of the rankings. Having nothing to lose makes Cortez a dangerous fighter. They called her up for this fight, but she isn’t a short-notice replacement.
Cortez was training to fight Miranda Maverick next week, so cutting her preparation time by only seven days shouldn’t have much of an impact.
Namajunas Back to Her Best
We’re backing Namajunas to win with our UFC betting predictions. She is a much stronger fighter, and although Cortez has had her highlight wins, having not fought for 10 months could work against her. Namajunas has already fought in 2024, which shows that she’s hungry, and a hungry Namajunas is a dangerous fighter.
The -225 odds are tough to overlook, and they’re worth including in UFC parlays at UFC Fight Night.
We also expect the fight to go the distance. Most of their recent fights have gone the distance, and a lack of knockout punch is part of that reason.
It should be a stand-up fight, and considering what’s on the line, they could fight with caution for the first round.
Back Namajunas and over 2.5 rounds as our best UFC bets of the week, and the Namajunas vs Cortez UFC odds are generous.
For UFC betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
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