How Tracy Cortez can adapt from the Erin Blanchfield loss against Wang Cong | UFC 329
Tracy Cortez is set to make her return to the octagon this weekend for the first time since losing to Erin Blanchfield. Cortez lost that fight via submission at UFC 322, but the statistics from that fight show that Cortez remained competitive on the feet, but she lost the positional battle and failed to make enough of her own grappling.
Tracy Cortez vs Wang Cong Last fight comparisons
| Statistic | Cortez vs Erin Blanchfield | Wang vs Eduarda Moura |
|---|---|---|
| Significant strikes | 46 of 104 | 39 of 71 |
| Significant-strike accuracy | 44% | 55% |
| Knockdowns | 0 | 1 |
| Takedowns | 1 of 3 | 0 attempted |
| Control time | 0:30 | 3:11 |
| Head strikes landed | 35 | 16 |
| Body strikes landed | 7 | 15 |
| Leg strikes landed | 4 | 8 |
Cortez was outlanded 52-46 in significant strikes by Blanchfield, but the striking accuracy was almost even. Blanchfield landed at 45%, while Cortez connected at 44%.
The more important difference from that fight came in the grappling. Blanchfield completed two of three takedowns, recorded 2:43 of control and finished the fight by submission. Cortez completed one of three takedowns but was only able to control Blanchfield for 30 seconds.
Tracy Cortez has to use her wrestling earlier against Wang
Against Wang at UFC 329, Cortez needs to use her wrestling earlier and maintain position once she gets the fight to the ground.
Wang’s victory over Eduarda Moura showed both her strengths and the main area Cortez can attack. Wang landed 39 significant strikes compared with Moura’s 12, connected at 55% and scored a knockdown. On top of that, she also spread her offense effectively, landing 16 significant strikes to the head, 15 to the body and eight to the legs.
However, Moura completed three of 12 takedowns and recorded 8:06 of control time. Wang still won because Moura caused limited damage, but Cortez should view that control figure as the weakness she needs to try and exploit.
How Cortez can win
Cortez absolutely cannot rely on single takedown attempts from distance. She should pressure Wang toward the fence, use punches to close space and connect her wrestling attacks. If the first shot fails, she must move to a body lock, outside trip or another attempt rather than allowing Wang to reset and get back into the round.
Cortez must also be more patient after securing top position. Against Blanchfield, Cortez’s one completed takedown produced little control, so against Wang, she should prioritize heavy pressure, wrist control and maintaining half guard before looking to try and advance. The more control she has on the top the better it will look to the judges and on the scorecards.
Another adjustment she should’ve worked on in camp was her diversity in striking. Cortez landed 35 of her 46 significant strikes against Blanchfield to the head, meaning 76% of her successful offense went to one target.
Wang was far less predictable against Moura in her last fight, so if Cortez comes in to this fight with the same gameplan she’ll be far too predictable for a striker who can mix it up:
| Target | Cortez landed against Blanchfield | Wang landed against Moura |
| Head | 35 | 16 |
| Body | 7 | 15 |
| Legs | 4 | 8 |
How Tracy Cortez beats Wang Cong at UFC 329
Cortez needs to try and use more body punches and low kicks to force Wang to defend different at levels, because the more varied she is the more likely she can find openings to shoot for the takedown in the early exchanges.
Cortez must try to keep the time spent exchanging at long range as short as possible, push Wang toward the cage and turn any completed takedowns she gets into sustained control with purpose. Based on their last fights, Wang has the advantage in accuracy, power and striking variety, but her previous fight showed that she can be held down if her opponent has quality grappling.
If Cortez applies pressure without becoming predictable and is able to control Wang after the takedown, she can turn the fight into the type of contest she is more likely to actually win.
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