Tracy Cortez earned a split decision victory over Justine Kish tonight at UFC On ESPN 22.
Round One:
Inside calf kick for Kish to start. Another calf kick and then a couple of right hands. She presses into the clinch and works an elbow. Now knees to the leg. Cortez with a knee of her own and then reverses the clinch position.
Cortez able to land a takedown. She starts to land several hammerfists from in full guard. More hammerfists landing now in the center of the Octagon.
Kish trying to create space, but Cortez still lands clean punches. Kish frames and lands a couple of elbows to the head. Cortez stands over Kish and then back down. Kish trying to scramble upright, but Cortez works around to her back.
Battle for the hands here as Cortez latches up the body triangle. Final 30 seconds of the round. Kish tryies to turn into Cortez, but is unable to and so her opponent ends the round in control of the action.
Round Two:
Jabs traded and Kish lands a calf kick. Kish lands a punch, but Cortez returns fire. Both land punches as they start to turn up the intensity on the feet.
Another leg kick for Kish, but Cortez clinches up and presses her into the cage. Cortez able to switch to her back and bring her back down with the body triangle quickly locked in again.
Kish able to find a gap and scrambles up and takes Cortez’s back. They break apart and go back to striking.
One-two for Kish. Now Cortez lets her hands go. Inside leg kick for Kish. Body kick from Cortez. Double jab for Kish. Now a leg kick. Head kick attempts don’t pay off though.
Body kick for Cortez. Now a nicely timed right hgand for Kish. Solid body kick and then another behind it.
Cortez with a body kick of her own. Now one to the leg and a harder one on the other side. Inside calf kick from Kish.
Cortez wades forward and lands a punch. leg kick for Kish and a jab lands for Cortez. Inside leg kick for Cortez.
More leg kicks land for Kish to end the round.
Round Three:
Kish pressing forward aggressively and lands a leg kick. Right hand for Kish as Cortez was looking to throw a kick.
Solid one-two for Cortez. Body kick from Kish. Good right hands from Kish. Cortez bursts forward and lands an important takedown.
Kish trying to get space and kicks off, but as she goes to her knees Cortez holds her down. Half the round remaining as Cortez works for a guillotine choke. Kish stands, but is still caught in this choke.
Kish breaks free and back to striking they go. Kish pressing forward. She lands an inside leg kick. Cortez with a solid body kick. She lands another.
Leg kick for Cortez. swatting jab from Kish. Body kick from Cortez is met by a big hook that drops Cortez. However she manages to get back to her feet.
Nice counter uppercut from Cortez. Kick from Cortez and a right hagnd for Kish. Body kick from Cortez. Cortez reaching for a takedown, but ends up in a clinch and then lands a knee as they break apart.
Jab for Kish. Another good right hand for Kish and that’s the final connection of the fight, we’re headed to a judges decision.
Decision:
Cortez was able to land some crucial takedowns here and also kept things competitive on the feet, which leads her to a split decision win (29-28, 28-29, 30-27).
