‘Crazy’ Tracy Cortez believes with a win at UFC 322, she ‘could’ challenge for the title next

Cortez and Blanchfield first fought back in 2019 under the Invicta FC banner, where Cortez won a highly controversial split decision. Most fans and media outlets scored the fight for Blanchfield, and the result changed both of their careers — Cortez earned an invite to Contender Series and quickly signed with UFC, while Blanchfield had to grind through three more fights before getting her own call in 2021.

Now, the timing finally feels right. Cortez, who UFC has consistently pushed despite her inactivity, believes a win over her longtime rival could be her ticket to a title shot — especially with the Flyweight belt being defended on the same card.

“This is competing for the No. 4 spot, possibly No. 3 — call me crazy, but winning this [fight], I could be a title challenger,” Cortez told UFC.com during media day. “Even saying that it’s, I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but a dream come true. It’s what I worked so hard for, and I’m extremely focused right now.”

“It’s been a journey,” Cortez added. “It has taken me a lot longer than I would have liked, but being here now, and the road getting here — everything happens for a reason. All the setbacks, all the injuries, all the delays…the timing is perfect.”