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UFC star Tracy Cortez cut off her HAIR in order to make weight to fight Rose Namajunas.

The pair headline in a 125lb flyweight bout at the Ball Arena in Denver.

UFC star Tracy Cortez cut off her hair in order to make weight
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UFC star Tracy Cortez cut off her hair in order to make weightCredit: Instagram cortezmma
Rose Namajunas and Cortez face off
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Rose Namajunas and Cortez face offCredit: Getty
Cortez is 11-1 in her MMA career
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Cortez is 11-1 in her MMA careerCredit: Instagram cortezmma

Cortez, 30, had only agreed to step in on two weeks notice after Maycee Barber, 26, withdrew.

Both could weigh a maximum of 126lb on the Friday weigh in, a day before their scheduled fight.

But Cortez was 0.5lb overweight so she cut a chunk of her hair off and stepped back on the scales.

And it did the trick as the American hit the 126lb limit to salvage the fight.

She told ESPN: "What was it .5? I was like, 'No hesitation. We'll do whatever it takes. This is a big opportunity.'"

When Cortez returned for the ceremonial weigh in she did so holding the hair she snipped off earlier.

She was evidently emotional as Cortez weeped on the scales ahead of the fight.

Cortez is 11-1 in her career, currently on a ten-fight winning streak having only ever lost her MMA debut in 2017.

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Namajunas, 32, is a two-time UFC strawweight champion but she lost the title in 2022 to Carla Esparza, 36.

She then lost to Manon Fiorot, 34, but bounced back with victory over Amanda Ribas, 30, in March.

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