Tracy Cortez making mental health a priority, but vows to return to UFC stronger

Tracy Cortez is looking to take some time off to focus on her mental health.

Cortez recently was pulled from her UFC on ESPN 42 women’s flyweight matchup with Amanda Ribas due to a medical issue. Cortez successfully weighed in with no issues, but later revealed the Florida Athletic Commission and doctors didn’t clear her to compete. She deemed it a private matter and did not open up about the reason.

However, it appears Cortez (10-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) recently has been going through some other personal issues and posted on Instagram to update her fans. She said she plans on competing again, but is unsure when.

“I know after my fight I’ve been a little MIA here on social media … I’m gonna be as honest as I can be. I’m currently in a place in my life where I’ve just been going through it, physically & mentally.

I want to say I haven’t been in the right head space since sometime in August. Life has been testing me under circumstances that I least expected.
I’m currently healing, i’m prioritizing my mental health! & just taking life a day at a time

I keep getting asked when I’m going to be scheduled for another fight & in all honestly I don’t know BUT I will be back, strong, better & with a purpose far greater then I’ve ever had before!!!! I don’t quit. I’ve never been one to give up. I’m a fighter. I’m a warrior! I’ve been fighting with battles & life since I could remember & this is just another stage in life that I will come out victorious in I don’t sit & wait for the storm to pass, I walk through it with my head high!

For anyone struggling with life right now, don’t quit. Take life a day at a time. Believe that everything happens for a reason, although we may not understand it right now or ever. Don’t lose hope the sun always shines when the storm passes.”

Unbeaten in the octagon, Cortez most recently was seen in action when she picked up a unanimous decision win over Melissa Gatto at UFC 274 in May to extend her winning streak to 10.