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Cortez has finally revealed what went down with her and Costa that day.
Written by John Tan
Last updated on September 19th, 2023
- Tracy Cortez detailed the real story behind her viral photo with Paulo Costa
- The women’s flyweight contender would only take a fight that would make her a title contender moving forward
UFC women’s flyweight contender Tracy Cortez has finally opened up about her viral photo alongside Paulo Costa that caused quite a stir amongst those who followed her love life. After securing another win at the recent Noche UFC, Cortez also insists that she wants a fight that would take her closer to title contention next.
It is what it is but it’s not what they think
Speaking to The MMA Hour, Cortez was asked to unfold the backstory behind the controversial photo of her and Costa which got fans thinking it played a role in her breakup with Brian Ortega. However, Cortez made it clear that there wasn’t any flirting that went down between her and Costa that day.
“I forgot what fight but it was like it was a UFC pay-per-view card and I said, ‘Hey, I want to treat everybody with the best dinner here. So we ordered it, I ordered food for everybody, go pick it up when I got there, I had an Airbnb, Costa was there, all the coaches were there, the team was there, everybody was there… I am serving everybody, I’m kind of just hurrying up, I’m like serving everybody the the plate, the entire team. It was such a dope night. And [Paulo] Costa goes, ‘Hey, I didn’t know you were managed by Tiki [Ghosn]. I was like yeah it’s my manager, he was here, let’s send him a picture and you get to see it… I keep going about my day and then Tiki touches them and they’re saying… they’re showing me and we’re laughing,” Cortez began.
Happy Friday pic.twitter.com/0iUTIRxBoj
— Paulo Costa ( Borrachinha ) (@BorrachinhaMMA) July 1, 2023
“Two weeks later I came back to the States and Costa posted that photo. It was just like happy Friday from Tracy and me literally like or Saturday, whenever, whatever day was that he posted. I woke up the next morning, flooded [with messages]. [I was like] ‘Oh my God!’ and I kind of just stayed fine I was like yeah and then Costa and his wife they call me or his fiancé, I should say and they’re like oh my God it blew up, and she knows what she’s doing too, Tamara, and they’re like we’ll address it. I go ‘all right, thank you’ It’s funny,” she continued.
Only going for fights that make sense
Cortez secured a unanimous decision win over Jasmine Jasudavicious at Noche UFC this past weekend. The victory saw her moving up two spots in the official UFC rankings and she doesn’t plan on taking on just anybody anymore.
For Cortez, her next fight should be the “right fight” that could catapult her closer to a title shot.
“I told my manager I don’t want to just fight to fight anymore which is kind of what I felt like I was doing I was just accepting the fights like yeah I’ll fight it, let’s go. Now it’s okay well, what fight is the right fight to get me to the title,” Cortez pointed out.
“This is my time… It’s gonna be my era, I’m really gonna discipline and focus myself you know these next this next year or two, climbing up to the rankings and getting that title and you guys are going to see… the world’s going to see a different Tracy this year this year and next year,” she added.
Cortez is now riding a five-fight winning streak. She has gone unbeaten in the UFC and is now the No. 12 women’s flyweight contender.
Check out Cortez’s full interview below:
John is an established combat sports writer and editor who also has a background in marketing. He has been following and covering the most thrilling UFC stories for years.
