''UFC on ESPN: Namajunas vs. Cortez'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 59'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on July 13, 2024, at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, United States.

Background

The event marked the promotion's seventh visit to Denver and first since UFC Fight Night: The Korean Zombie vs. Rodríguez in November 2018. A women's flyweight bout between former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion

Rose Namajunas Rose Gertrude Namajunas (born June 29, 1992) is an American mixed martial artist. She is signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where she competes in the women's strawweight division and is the former two-time UFC Women's Strawweig ...

and Maycee Barber was expected to headline the event. However, Barber withdrew from the bout, due to what was later revealed to be ongoing health problems, and was replaced by Tracy Cortez, who was scheduled to face

Miranda Maverick Miranda Rachelle Maverick (born July 1, 1997) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She competed in Flyweight division of the Invicta Fighting Championships. As of ...

one week later at UFC on ESPN: Lemos vs. Jandiroba. Chris Duncan was scheduled to face Nazim Sadykhov in a lightweight bout. However, Duncan was replaced by Marquel Mederos due to undisclosed reasons. A week later, Mederos pulled out and the bout was scrapped. A lightweight bout between

Drew Dober Andrew Martin Dober (born October 19, 1988) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. A professional competitor since 2009, he has also formerly competed for Bellato ...

and Mike Davis was expected to take place at this event. However, Davis was forced to withdraw due to a torn bicep. He was replaced by

Jean Silva Jackson Jean da Silva (born December 13, 1996) is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Featherweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background With the support of his wife Carol, ...

, who just fought two weeks earlier at

UFC 303 ''UFC 303: Pereira vs. Procházka 2'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on June 29, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada, part of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, United St ...

. A welterweight bout between

Mike Malott Mike Malott (born November 7, 1991) is a Canadian mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. He currently fights for UFC. In the past he has competed for the WSOF, Bellator MMA and Cage Fury Fighting Championships. Mixe ...

and Gilbert Urbina was scheduled to take place at this event. However, two weeks before the event, as a result of Urbina withdrawing due to undisclosed reasons, Malott decided not to fight another opponent at this event due to an injury sustained during training, so the bout was scrapped. Viviane Araújo and Jasmine Jasudavicius were expected to meet in a women's flyweight bout. However on July 5, Araújo pulled out for unknown reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Fatima Kline.

Results

Bonus awards

The following fighters received $50,000 bonuses. *Fight of the Night: Jean Silva vs. Drew Dober *Performance of the Night: Charles Johnson and Montel Jackson

References

{{2024 in mixed martial arts 2024 in UFC UFC on ESPN July 2024 sports events in the United States

Background

Results

Bonus awards

See also

References