Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Salsa Boy
Dominican Republic
Held in check by veteran
Cortes-Acosta lost to Alexander Volkov via unanimous decision (27-30, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC 328 on Saturday in Newark.
ANALYSIS
Cortes-Acosta used his power and speed to perfection during his three-fight winning streak, but he had never dealt with a fighter as tall as Volkov, and was clearly having trouble closing the distance. While he had moments of success forcing his way into the pocket, Volkov was able to circle back to the center of the cage and ensure he was never in any real danger. A good jab can take a fighter far at heavyweight, and while this was a tricky matchup for Cortes-Acosta, he will carry an ever-present threat into his bouts going forward. Cortes-Acosta fell to 17-3-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
Cortes-Acosta used his power and speed to perfection during his three-fight winning streak, but he had never dealt with a fighter as tall as Volkov, and was clearly having trouble closing the distance. While he had moments of success forcing his way into the pocket, Volkov was able to circle back to the center of the cage and ensure he was never in any real danger. A good jab can take a fighter far at heavyweight, and while this was a tricky matchup for Cortes-Acosta, he will carry an ever-present threat into his bouts going forward. Cortes-Acosta fell to 17-3-0 in professional MMA due to the loss.
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Will take on Volkov
Cortes-Acosta will take on Alexander Volkov in a heavyweight bout at UFC 328 on May 9, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Cortes-Acosta is coming off a win over Derrick Lewis via TKO on Jan. 24, and he's ready to step on the octagon once again in May, though the opponent will be significantly more complicated this time around. Cortes-Acosta is carrying momentum, though, as he has won three straight fights and eight of his last nine.
Cortes-Acosta is coming off a win over Derrick Lewis via TKO on Jan. 24, and he's ready to step on the octagon once again in May, though the opponent will be significantly more complicated this time around. Cortes-Acosta is carrying momentum, though, as he has won three straight fights and eight of his last nine.
Easily handles Derrick Lewis
Cortes-Acosta defeated Derrick Lewis via TKO (punches) at 3:14 of Round 2 at UFC 324 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's the most notable win of Waldo's UFC run by a mile, even if Lewis appeared to be at the end of the line this evening. Blessed with an overwhelming edge in terms of both hand and foot speed, Waldo simply kept to the outside and immediately moved out of the way whenever Lewis began to push forward. The finish came when Derrick appeared to slip to the mat and have no interest in continuing to fight. That allowed Cortes-Acosta to jump on top and unload unanswered punches until the fight was called off. Waldo has won three straight and eight of nine. He called out Curtis Blaydes in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
It's the most notable win of Waldo's UFC run by a mile, even if Lewis appeared to be at the end of the line this evening. Blessed with an overwhelming edge in terms of both hand and foot speed, Waldo simply kept to the outside and immediately moved out of the way whenever Lewis began to push forward. The finish came when Derrick appeared to slip to the mat and have no interest in continuing to fight. That allowed Cortes-Acosta to jump on top and unload unanswered punches until the fight was called off. Waldo has won three straight and eight of nine. He called out Curtis Blaydes in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
Set to fight Lewis
Cortes-Acosta will fight Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 on Jan. 24, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Cortes-Acosta will finish with a 4-1 record in 2025, which includes two wins in the month of November. He'll now receive another brief break between events before he attempts to extend his winning streak to three versus an opponent who has fought just twice in the last two years.
Cortes-Acosta will finish with a 4-1 record in 2025, which includes two wins in the month of November. He'll now receive another brief break between events before he attempts to extend his winning streak to three versus an opponent who has fought just twice in the last two years.
Gets big win on short notice
Cortes-Acosta defeated Shamil Gaziev via KO (punch) at 1:22 of Round 1 at UFC Qatar on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Cortes-Acosta jumped at the opportunity to step in late for Serghei Spivac, and the end result was his fourth win of the calendar year and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He dropped Gaziev early, and while he was able to get back to his feet once, he was clearly compromised. Another big right hand ended the proceedings for good, and referee Lukasz Bosacki did a great job jumping in to prevent any further damage. Cortes-Acosta absorbed little damage here and has already announced his intentions to fight on any of the final cards of 2025 in which an opportunity becomes available.
Cortes-Acosta jumped at the opportunity to step in late for Serghei Spivac, and the end result was his fourth win of the calendar year and a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus. He dropped Gaziev early, and while he was able to get back to his feet once, he was clearly compromised. Another big right hand ended the proceedings for good, and referee Lukasz Bosacki did a great job jumping in to prevent any further damage. Cortes-Acosta absorbed little damage here and has already announced his intentions to fight on any of the final cards of 2025 in which an opportunity becomes available.
Filling in for Spivac
Cortes-Acosta will fight Shamil Gaziev at UFC Qatar on Saturday, Nolan King of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
The 34-year-old heavyweight will be filling in for Serghei Spivac, who was forced to withdraw from the bout for unspecified reasons. Saturday will mark Cortes-Acosta's second fight in just four weeks, and he will enter having won six of his last seven.
The 34-year-old heavyweight will be filling in for Serghei Spivac, who was forced to withdraw from the bout for unspecified reasons. Saturday will mark Cortes-Acosta's second fight in just four weeks, and he will enter having won six of his last seven.