“I Don’t Want to Die” — Tracy Cortez Reveals Tumor Scare and Her Comeback Journey

Tracy Cortez, a rising contender in the UFC women’s flyweight division, has opened up about a life-threatening health scare that sidelined her for nearly a year. In a heartfelt interview with Ariel Helwani, Cortez revealed she was diagnosed with three large abdominal tumors during a training trip to Brazil in late 2024.

“They found three huge tumors,” Cortez shared. “At that moment, rankings and fight plans didn’t matter. I just thought, ‘I don’t want to die.’” With a family history of cancer, the discovery was terrifying. “We immediately started biopsies. My dad moved in to help. It was one of the darkest times of my life.”

Thankfully, the tumors were non-cancerous. Cortez underwent surgery and began a fast recovery. “It still hit me hard emotionally,” she said. “But I healed fast. Within a month, I was back in the gym.”

Now healthy and determined, Cortez has her sights set on returning to the Octagon. She’s expected to face fellow flyweight contender Viviane Araujo in what could be one of 2025’s most emotional UFC comebacks.

The Phoenix-born fighter’s story is one of resilience, family, and inner strength — a reminder that even elite athletes fight battles outside the cage. Cortez is back, and hungrier than ever.