Join UFC 322 on November 15, 2025 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, where #4 ranked “Cold Blooded” Erin Blanchfield (13-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) takes on No. 8 Tracy Cortez (12-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in a three-round prelims showdown that feels anything but preliminary. Six years after their controversial first meeting at Invicta FC, these two will finally settle the score under the bright lights of the UFC’s most iconic venue, affectionately known as ‘The Mecca’ of combat sports.
This isn’t just a fight; it’s redemption, revenge and a crucial step towards title contention in a division dominated by champion Valentina Shevchenko. With Blanchfield eyeing a title shot after a string of elite wins and Cortez desperate to prove her wrestling history translates to gold, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
As the UFC gears up for a blockbuster main event pitting welterweight king Jack Della Maddalena against Islam Makhachev, this flyweight rematch threatens to steal the show on the undercard.
Their paths first crossed on February 15, 2019, at Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez. At the time, a 19-year-old Blanchfield, fresh off her amateur success and early pro victories, faced a battle-tested Cortez in a flyweight clash that went the distance. Judges awarded Cortez a split-decision victory, but the MMA community erupted in debate. Many scored the score for Blanchfield, citing her superior control and aggression while wrestling, while others praised Cortez’s relentless pressing and takedown defense. It was the kind of razor-sharp fight that begged for a reconsideration – and now, six years later, the UFC has delivered.
Styles create fights: wrestling versus grinding
This UFC 322 rematch pits Blanchfield’s fluid, submission-hunting jiu-jitsu against Cortez’s heavy wrestling in a stylistic symphony of takedowns and transitions. Their 2019 fight featured twelve combined takedown attempts, with Blanchfield posting top time but stuffing Cortez enough to sway the judges. Fast forward: Blanchfield has evolved into a more patient chain wrestler, chaining subs off her back like she did against Andrade, while Cortez has honed her striking output (up 15% since 2022) to keep the fights afloat.
The odds favor Erin Blanchfield at -200, with Tracy Cortez as the +170 underdog, reflecting her youth, momentum and proximity to the home state (New Jersey vs. Arizona). But don’t sleep on Cortez’s cardio and clinch elbows — her path to the upset lies in early pressure, avoiding Blanchfield’s dropback pitfalls. For ‘Cold Blooded’ it’s all about taking it to the mat and hunting for that armbar or RNC. Expect a 15-minute war of attrition, with the roar of the Garden amplifying each battle.
Why it matters: A flyweight title on the line?
The prelims slot of UFC 322 belies the importance of this fight. A win over Blanchfield confirms her as the next challenger, potentially facing the winner of Weili Zhang – Valentina Shevchenko in early 2026. Cortez, meanwhile, needs this to bounce back from inactivity and silence doubters questioning her ceiling after Namajuna’s loss. As one Reddit MMA thread put it, “Blanchfield has the tools, but Cortez’s wrestling is so dominant 😱.”
Tune in Saturday at 6:00 PM ET for early prelims on ESPN+, 8:00 PM for featured prelims and 10:00 PM for the main PPV card. In an evening full of title defenses and super fights, Blanchfield vs. Cortez II might just be the fight that reminds us why we fell in love with MMA: unfinished business, raw talent and the sweet science of revenge. Who walks out with their hand raised? Only Mecca knows.
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