Weight cutting is one of the most challenging aspects of mixed martial arts, but for female fighters, the process comes with additional biological complexities that their male counterparts never experience. UFC flyweight contender Tracy Cortez recently shed light on the unique challenges women face when cutting weight, particularly during their menstrual cycle, offering a candid perspective on an issue rarely discussed in the sport.
During her appearance on the JAXXON Podcast, Cortez explained how a fighter’s menstrual cycle can significantly impact weight management:
“It is extremely hard. During my cycle, I’ll probably gain like three pounds,” Tracy Cortez revealed.
“There’s nothing to do. I just keep drinking water, eating the same, and just pray, work hard. There’s nothing you can really do.”
“I’ve gotten my period on fight day and I felt so drained. That’s the weakest I’ve ever felt,” she shared. “You feel weaker. You feel more fatigued. Even when I’m trying to lift during my cycle, I’m not as strong as I was when I’m off of it.”
“When I hear girls in interviews say, ‘Yeah, you know, I started [my period],’ and people talk s*it like, ‘Ah, you’re such a coward, excuses,’ it’s like, ‘No, I felt it. I get it. It’s a thing.'”
“I’ve seen guys in wrestling bust their nose to bleed to make weight when they only got a little weight [to lose],” Rampage Jackson, the podcast co-host, added.
“People see me and they’re like, ‘Damn, you’re big.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, I don’t walk around at 125.’ That s*it’s hard. For me to even walk around at 140 is hard,” Cortez explained.
For female athletes attempting to make the 125-pound flyweight limit, these hormonal changes add an extra layer of difficulty to an already grueling process. When asked what she does if her period coincides with a fight, Cortez admitted there are few options available.
Beyond weight management, Cortez also discussed how menstruation affects her physical capabilities, noting significant changes in strength and energy levels.
This physical impact goes largely unacknowledged in the sport, leading to misunderstandings when female fighters discuss these challenges.
Cortez‘s dedication to making weight was dramatically demonstrated when she famously cut her hair before her fight against Rose Namajunas when she was 3.5 pounds over the limit. When asked if cutting her hair actually helped, Cortez confirmed it did, along with “the smallest amount” of additional water weight loss.
Rampage Jackson, the podcast co-host, highlighted the extreme measures fighters sometimes take.
For Cortez, preparing for fights involves significant weight management year-round, though she admits she tends to “go in and out” rather than staying at fighting weight consistently. During camp, she drops approximately 8-10 pounds to make the 125-pound flyweight limit, walking around at 148-149 pounds normally.
Despite these challenges, Cortez continues to excel in the UFC’s flyweight division. Currently preparing for her next fight against Viviana Araujo, she remains focused on her goal of eventually securing a rematch with Rose Namajunas, who defeated her in their previous encounter.
