UFC fighter Tracy Cortez took an unusual strategy when trying to make weight on Friday. After attempts to shave off a pound ahead of the weigh-in were unsuccessful, she brought out the scissors.
After struggling at a weigh-in Friday for Saturday’s fight against Rose Namajunas, the 30-year-old flyweight fighter cut off a handful of her hair in order to lose the last half pound. Cortez’s impromptu haircut gave her the push needed to make weight at 126 pounds.
Cortez, who had originally weighed in at 127 and then 126.5 pounds, teared up as she successfully made weight. Desperate to get her weight down, Cortez told her team backstage to just “f*****g chop it,” per Nolan King of USA Today.
As a result, Cortez walked away with the fight still on, and with a stylish new long bob to boot.
Cortez and Namajunas will now face off as planned in the main event of UFC’s Fight Night card on Saturday. The event was originally supposed to feature Namajunas against Maycee Barber, but Cortez filled in after Barber withdrew in June due to multiple health issues.
Cortez has an 11-1 record since joining UFC in 2019, while Namajunas is 13-6 in 11 years as a professional. Cortez’s only other fight this year, a bout against Miranda Maverick, was canceled; Namajunas won her last fight, against Amanda Ribas, by unanimous decision in March.
