​The UFC 329 preliminary card included a women’s flyweight showdown featuring Top 10 contenders Tracy Cortez and Wang Cong. Cortez entered the contest ranked No. 8 in the division, looking to rebound from a defeat at the hands of No. 4 ranked Erin Blanchfield in her previous outing. In preparation for Saturday’s matchup, the 32-year-old fighter switched camps and relocated to Mexico City to train.
Cong, the No. 10 ranked fighter in the division, stepped into the octagon at T-Mobile Arena on the back of a three-fight win streak, aiming to keep the momentum going and extend her ascent in the rankings. The early action saw Cortez press forward, driving the pace and taking the fight to Cong. Cong answered with a rights and a leg kick, and the two exchanged right hands. A calf kick from Cong briefly unbalanced Cortez, illustrating Cong’s attack plan focusing on the legs. Cong continued targeting Cortez’s lower extremities while Cortez attempted to close distance with a stiff right hand. Observing the damage to Cortez’s lead leg, Cortez clinched to try to slow the onslaught and even secured a brief takedown. Cong quickly rose to her feet, fending off a guillotine attempt as she did so. The round concluded with MMAWeekly scoring it 10-9 for Cong, reflecting Cong’s leg-based damage and effective stand-up striking.
Cortez came out aggressively in the second round, but a misstep occurred when she was attempting to change levels, either slipping or having her leg give out as she moved forward. She regained her footing, landing a clean left hand before Cong stayed committed to her leg-kicking strategy. The Chinese standout connected with a left hand and stepped in with further leg domination as Cortez pressed forward with combinations and looked for a takedown. An illegal knee from Cong, which struck Cortez in the face, resulted in a point deduction from the referee, a pivotal moment that shaped the round’s progression. After the restart, Cortez pushed forward with punches, but Cong’s continued leg kicks and precise jabs helped her maintain the advantage. The round finished with a 9-9 score on the back of the point deduction, though the deduction left Cortez with a tougher path as the fight progressed.
During the break, Cortez’s corner advised her to pursue the ground game, reportedly telling her to “elbow” her way to an advantageous position. In the final round, Cong opened with a left hook and a calf kick to set the tone. Cortez tried to secure a takedown, clinching briefly, but she couldn’t bring Cong to the canvas. After a separation, Cong landed a solid jab, followed by another calf kick that forced Cortez to switch stances. Cortez continued to push for a takedown, yet Cong stayed upright, circling freely and maintaining a steady rhythm on the feet. Cortez connected with a clean right hand, to which Cong answered with a body shot and then a counter right that landed decisively. The round concluded with Cong continuing to dictate pace and landing crucial strikes.
MMAWeekly scored the final round 10-9 in favor of Cong, reflecting her sustained leg-based pressure and cleaner late-round striking. The judges ultimately awarded Cong the fight by unanimous decision, with scorecards reading 29-27, 29-27, and 29-27 in favor of the Chinese fighter. The decision solidified Cong’s position in the division’s upper tier and added another impressive name to her growing resume, while Cortez left the Octagon still seeking a signature win to reset her trajectory in the competitive women’s flyweight division. The bout served as a notable showcase of Cong’s leg-kick strategy and resiliency, as well as Cortez’s willingness to fight through adversity and make tactical adjustments as the contest unfolded.