UFC 322 Fighter Tracy Cortez Shocking Admission About Islam Makhachev Rattles Fans

Women's flyweight contender Tracy Cortez reveals that she was clueless about Islam Makhachev headlining UFC 322.

UFC 322 Fighter Tracy Cortez Shocking Admission About Islam Makhachev Rattles Fans

Tracy Cortez does not recognize Islam Makhachev (via MMA Fighting, SportsNews)

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UFC 322 has emerged as one of the most stacked cards in recent memory, featuring a championship double-header that has drawn widespread attention. The event is headlined by Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena, who meet for the welterweight title. However, a recent moment showed Tracy Cortez admitting she was unaware that Makhachev was serving as the main-event attraction.

Makhachev enters the event as one of the most dominant forces in recent lightweight history. He built his résumé with decisive wins over Charles Oliveira, Alexander Volkanovski, and Dustin Poirier, reinforcing his reputation as the top product of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s mentorship. His run has also kept him consistently stationed inside the top three of the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings.

At UFC 322, Makhachev prepares for what is considered the biggest test of his career as he moves to welterweight to challenge JDM for the division’s championship. The matchup has been heavily discussed across the MMA community due to its implications for two separate weight classes. In contrast to that backdrop, Cortez unexpectedly did not recognize the Dagestani superstar as the main-event fighter.

I don’t know a lot of people, like I didn’t even know who the main event was. I knew the co-main, but then I saw Islam, I saw him and I’m like what is he doing here? My coach looked at me and said he’s the ****** main event.

Tracy Cortez via Nina Drama

Cortez also competes on the same card, preparing for a key bout against top flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield. The fight marks one of the most significant challenges of her career and comes after her recovery from notable health setbacks that temporarily halted her momentum. Her presence on such a major event marks a pivotal return to full competition.

While focused on her own matchup, Cortez has also taken interest in the co-main event, where flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko meets former strawweight champion Weili Zhang in a rare cross-division superfight. Cortez has collected wins over opponents such as Mariya Agapova and Melissa Gatto, and the outcomes of the top bouts may influence the competitive landscape she hopes to climb.

As UFC 322 approaches, both Makhachev and Cortez find themselves at crucial junctures in their careers, albeit in different divisions and with different stakes. Islam Makhachev pursues a second-division title that could elevate his standing among all-time greats, while Tracy Cortez aims to reestablish her trajectory in a competitive weight class.

Fans react to Tracy Cortez being unaware of Islam Makhachev headlining UFC 322

Many fans reacted with amusement after seeing Tracy Cortez admit she didn’t know Islam Makhachev was headlining UFC 322. For many, the moment came across as light-hearted and unexpected, especially given how prominent the main event has been in the lead-up to the card. Supporters joked that fight-week tunnel vision must have been in full effect.

Tracy Cortez talks about her recent health issues
Tracy Cortez (via X)

Others expressed disbelief that a fighter competing on the same card could miss such a major storyline. With Makhachev moving up to welterweight and the event being promoted heavily for weeks, some fans argued that the matchup had been impossible to overlook. This reaction sparked conversations about how different fighters engage with event details, especially when they’re focused on their own matchups.

A third wave of reactions centered on the contrast between the massive stakes of Makhachev’s welterweight title bid and Cortez’s casual unawareness of it. Fans found humor in the contrast, with many viewing it as a reminder that fighters often operate in their own world during fight week.

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