Tracy Cortez relied on her grappling to get by short-notice opponent Stephanie Egger at UFC Fight Island 5, winning by unanimous decision.
The second straight newcomer to appear on the UFC Fight Island 5 card, bantamweight Stephanie Egger, an ADCC European Trial winner, was looking to make a splash Saturday. At the Flash Forum in Abu Dhabi, Egger was paired up with Invicta FC alum Tracy Cortez, who had not lost since her promotional debut.
Not a lot of action to begin the fight as both were trying to find their footing. It was Cortez that struck first, timing a takedown off a leg kick. Egger created a nice scramble going for an armbar/omoplata, but Cortez instead took her back. Egger was able to turn towards her and get the fight back to the feet. The rounds ended with a nice hip toss from Egger but Cortez wound up on top at the bell.
There was a trading of leg kicks from both women to start the second round but Cortez, not surprisingly, shot for a single leg and got the fight down. Cortez postured up with good ground-and-pound and Egger stunned Cortez with an up-kick. Egger almost capitalized taking the back, but Cortez remained on top and later took the back herself. Cortez relied on winning minutes at a time with dominant positions and stayed on the back of Egger to the bell.
The upkick! 🦶
Action is getting heated as we enter RD 3.
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Egger, probably knowing she was down two rounds, came forward and was the one that got the takedown. Cortez, though, got right back to her feet and the battle for position in the clinch began. Egger was on the legs deep for a takedown but Cortez showed good defense. Egger went for a sloppy trip but fell to her knees, letting Egger take her back. As Egger got back up she hit a judo throw but Cortez wound up on top. Cortez, while against the cage, switched from the back to the legs, dumping Egger to the mat. Cortez yet again took the back to end the round in a dominant position.
Tracy Cortez def. Stephanie Egger by Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
