Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Tracy Cortez Names an Athlete From Another Sport Who Could Compete in MMA

Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Tracy Cortez is a Mexican-American UFC flyweight contender whose journey is an inspiring as it is gritty. Growing up in a family of immigrants, she discovered MMA at 14 after watching her older brother Jose- a promising fighter, defeat UFC veteran Drew Fickett. Jose’s tragic death from cancer in 2017 became her driving force, fueling her resilience. Cortez went 3-0 as an amateur before turning pro in 2017, debuting with Invicta FC. Her breakthrough came on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019, earning a UFC contract with a unanimous decision over Mariya Agapova.

Tracy Cortez at UFC 320 🫣 pic.twitter.com/yGbCNee6Qv
— Cage Bites MMA (@CageBites) October 7, 2025

Boasting a pro record of 12-2 (1 KO, 1 sub, 10 decisions), Cortez has been a mainstay in the women’s flyweight division since her 2019 UFC debut. She’s 6-1 in the Octagon, with her lone loss a controversial split decision to Erin Blanchfield in 2021. Recent highlights include a unanimous decision win over Melissa Gatto at UFC 290 in July 2023, showcasing her elite wrestling and cardio, and a dominant unanimous decision victory over Viviane Araujo at UFC 317 on June, 2025. This was her most recent bout, solidifying her as the No. 8-ranked contender. Known for takedown defense and relentless pressure, Cortez credits Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo for her growth.

Tracy Cortez Picks Steph Curry as the Athlete That Could Transition to MMA

In a recent interview, when Cortez was asked, which athlete she would pick to transition from their sport to MMA, she replied, “Steph Curry.” Now unless you’ve been living under a rock, Stephen Curry remains the greatest shooter in basketball history, revolutionizing the game with his unprecedented three-point accuracy and four NBA championships. A two-time NBA MVP whose off-ball movement has redefined offense, Curry’s precision under pressure mirrors the split-second decisions MMA demands.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ESPN MMA (@espnmma)

Cortez’s bold pick underscores her eye for transferable skills, suggesting Curry’s wiry 6’2″, 185-pound frame could adapt to lighter weight classes like possibly welterweight.

Is Cortez Right? Analyzing If Steph Curry Could Hack It in MMA

Cortez’s endorsement isn’t too far fetched. Curry’s insane cardio could be a game-changer in the Octagon. As one of the hardest players to guard, Curry logs constant court sprints with explosive cuts and fades that evade defenders. This mirrors MMA’s need for sustained output across five rounds, where various fighters rely on endurance to grind opponents. Curry’s agility could also translate to footwork against strikers, potentially frustrating grapplers with evasive angles.

Steph Curry off ball movement is pure art pic.twitter.com/OBPz9N08cn
— 💍💍💍💍 (@warriorsger) July 13, 2025

While MMA is a brutal sport and Curry lacks the striking power or grappling base. Still, his mental toughness, and if he were to train properly, Curry’s movement could make him a slippery counterpuncher, validating Cortez’s vision of cross-sport viability.

NBA

Stephen Curry

Tracy Cortez

UFC

Eric Divakaran

nba

nfl

mma

I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.