Latest news with #Cortes-Acosta
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next
Waldo Cortes-Acosta wants to prove he's worthy of a UFC title shot, and he knows to do that he'll have to take difficult fights. The rising heavyweight contender called for one of the tougher challenges in the UFC heavyweight division following his unanimous decision win over Serghei Spivac this past Saturday at UFC 316. Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) wants to throw down with former UFC interim title challenger and long-time contender Curtis Blaydes. Advertisement "Like I told you before the fight, God willing, if UFC allows it, I'd like to fight against Curtis Blaydes," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "I want to prepare 100 percent and give it my all, and see what happens. I can prepare myself physically better, and work hard like I always do. I do know that I need to work hard now that I'm facing these guys because they're more advanced, more experience." Cortes-Acosta, who's on a five-fight winning streak, thinks doesn't see himself too far from title contention, and thinks a win over Blaydes could close him that gap. The Dominican fighter sees a showdown against Blaydes very much like his fight on Saturday – a striking affair that will eventually get his opponent to start wrestling. "I think that's a fight that will mainly lay out in the feet, but the moment things get complicated for him, he's going to look for the takedowns," Cortes-Acosta said. "That's what happened in this fight When Spivac started having difficulty striking, he looked to take the fight to the ground because I started catching him. The moment I began connecting my jab, I thought, 'I found him. I got this.'" As far as his win over Spivac, some people online scored the fight for the Russian fighter despite Cortes-Acosta out landing Spivac in significant and total strikes in every round of the fight. He disagrees with the "robbery claims" and thought he clearly won the fight. Advertisement "The first round, I had a tough time figuring him out," Cortes-Acosta explained. "I was a little confused, and I couldn't find him with my jab. Then after, towards the end of Round 1, I began to find my jab. I do give him the first round. He looked better. However, in the second, my accumulation of strikes was too much. Then in the third, my coach said I connected more than 100 strikes. So yeah." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next
USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next
UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next Waldo Cortes-Acosta is looking for a step-up in his next UFC fight. Waldo Cortes-Acosta wants to prove he's worthy of a UFC title shot, and he knows to do that he'll have to take difficult fights. The rising heavyweight contender called for one of the tougher challenges in the UFC heavyweight division following his unanimous decision win over Serghei Spivac this past Saturday at UFC 316. Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) wants to throw down with former UFC interim title challenger and long-time contender Curtis Blaydes. "Like I told you before the fight, God willing, if UFC allows it, I'd like to fight against Curtis Blaydes," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "I want to prepare 100 percent and give it my all, and see what happens. I can prepare myself physically better, and work hard like I always do. I do know that I need to work hard now that I'm facing these guys because they're more advanced, more experience." Cortes-Acosta, who's on a five-fight winning streak, thinks doesn't see himself too far from title contention, and thinks a win over Blaydes could close him that gap. The Dominican fighter sees a showdown against Blaydes very much like his fight on Saturday – a striking affair that will eventually get his opponent to start wrestling. "I think that's a fight that will mainly lay out in the feet, but the moment things get complicated for him, he's going to look for the takedowns," Cortes-Acosta said. "That's what happened in this fight When Spivac started having difficulty striking, he looked to take the fight to the ground because I started catching him. The moment I began connecting my jab, I thought, 'I found him. I got this.'" As far as his win over Spivac, some people online scored the fight for the Russian fighter despite Cortes-Acosta out landing Spivac in significant and total strikes in every round of the fight. He disagrees with the "robbery claims" and thought he clearly won the fight. "The first round, I had a tough time figuring him out," Cortes-Acosta explained. "I was a little confused, and I couldn't find him with my jab. Then after, towards the end of Round 1, I began to find my jab. I do give him the first round. He looked better. However, in the second, my accumulation of strikes was too much. Then in the third, my coach said I connected more than 100 strikes. So yeah."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention
Waldo Cortes-Acosta feels he's on the cusp of title contention, and it's hard to disagree. The Dominican heavyweight has quietly put together an impressive run in the UFC, picking up six wins in the seven fights he's had since joining the promotion. These victories include two knockouts, and several notable names such as Ryan Spann, Robelis Despaigne, Chase Sherman and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Advertisement This Saturday at UFC 316, Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) looks to continue to bolster that resume and go on a five-fight winning streak when he takes on top-10 ranked heavyweight Serghei Spivac. He thinks a win over Spivac (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will open up big opportunities for him in the division. "Yeah, I do feel the attention and the importance of the event," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "This fight can push me, can catapult me to the top, and put me in the title conversation. Maybe I win this one, one more after that, and I'm ready for a title shot, God willing." Cortes-Acosta has his path to victory mapped out for Spivac. Avoid the ground game and keep the fight in his realm. "I see it as a striker vs. wrestler," Cortes-Acosta said. "I don't think he has the hands to match me in the octagon. Like I've said, every fight I'm evolving. I never stop evolving. I feel stronger and I'm heavier now." Advertisement There are high expectations for Cortes-Acosta in this matchup. He sees himself finishing the "Polar Bear" "I expect the knockout," Waldo-Acosta said. "Come Saturday, I'll be knocking on the door, and it will be opened." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans to KO Serghei Spivac
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention Waldo Cortes-Acosta sees a big opportunity at UFC 316. Waldo Cortes-Acosta feels he's on the cusp of title contention, and it's hard to disagree. The Dominican heavyweight has quietly put together an impressive run in the UFC, picking up six wins in the seven fights he's had since joining the promotion. These victories include two knockouts, and several notable names such as Ryan Spann, Robelis Despaigne, Chase Sherman and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. This Saturday at UFC 316, Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) looks to continue to bolster that resume and go on a five-fight winning streak when he takes on top-10 ranked heavyweight Serghei Spivac. He thinks a win over Spivac (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will open up big opportunities for him in the division. "Yeah, I do feel the attention and the importance of the event," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "This fight can push me, can catapult me to the top, and put me in the title conversation. Maybe I win this one, one more after that, and I'm ready for a title shot, God willing." Cortes-Acosta has his path to victory mapped out for Spivac. Avoid the ground game and keep the fight in his realm. "I see it as a striker vs. wrestler," Cortes-Acosta said. "I don't think he has the hands to match me in the octagon. Like I've said, every fight I'm evolving. I never stop evolving. I feel stronger and I'm heavier now." There are high expectations for Cortes-Acosta in this matchup. He sees himself finishing the "Polar Bear" "I expect the knockout," Waldo-Acosta said. "Come Saturday, I'll be knocking on the door, and it will be opened."
USA Today
02-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 316: Make your predictions for Dvalishvili-O'Malley 2, Peña-Harrison
UFC 316: Make your predictions for Dvalishvili-O'Malley 2, Peña-Harrison Bantamweight, women's bantamweight titles on the line in Newark We want your predictions for UFC 316. Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we'll use the official tallies that are registered by Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT). Those reader consensus picks will be part of the main card staff predictions we release ahead of UFC 316 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), which takes place Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Make your picks below. Mark Choinski vs. MarQuel Mederos Records: Choinski (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Mederos (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) Choinski (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Mederos (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) Past five: Choinski 5-0, Mederos 5-0 Choinski 5-0, Mederos 5-0 Division: Lightweight Lightweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.02.25): Choinski +240, Mederos -300 Yanal Ashmouz vs. Quillan Salkilld Records: Ashmouz (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Salkilld (8-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) Ashmouz (8-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), Salkilld (8-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) Past five: Ashmouz 4-1, Salkilld 5-0 Ashmouz 4-1, Salkilld 5-0 Division: Lightweight Lightweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.02.25): Ashmouz +330, Salkilld -485 Jeka Saragih vs. Joo Sang Yoo Records: Saragih (14-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Sang Yoo (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Saragih (14-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC), Sang Yoo (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Past five: Saragih 3-2, Yoo 5-0 Saragih 3-2, Yoo 5-0 Division: Featherweight Featherweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.02.25): Saragih +370, Yoo -485 Wang Cong vs. Ariane da Silva Records: Cong (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), da Silva (17-10 MMA, 6-7 UFC) Cong (7-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC), da Silva (17-10 MMA, 6-7 UFC) Past five: Cong 4-1, da Silva 3-2 Cong 4-1, da Silva 3-2 Division: Women's flyweight Women's flyweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.02.25): Cong -360, da Silva +275 Andreas Gustafsson vs. Khaos Williams Records: Gustafsson (11-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Williams (15-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) Gustafsson (11-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), Williams (15-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) Past five: Gustafsson 4-1, Williams 3-2 Gustafsson 4-1, Williams 3-2 Division: Welterweight Welterweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.02.25): Gustafsson +165, Williams -200 Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Serghei Spivac Records: Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), Spivac (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), Spivac (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) Past five: Cortes-Acosta 4-1, Spivac 3-2 Cortes-Acosta 4-1, Spivac 3-2 Division: Heavyweight Heavyweight Rankings: Spivac No. 9, Cortes-Acosta honorable mention Spivac No. 9, Cortes-Acosta honorable mention Odds (as of 06.02.25): Cortes-Acosta +105, Spivac -125 Azamat Murzakanov vs. Brendson Ribeiro Records: Murzakanov (14-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Ribeiro (17-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC) Murzakanov (14-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), Ribeiro (17-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC) Past five: Murzakanov 5-0, Ribeiro 3-2 Murzakanov 5-0, Ribeiro 3-2 Division: Light heavyweight Light heavyweight Rankings: Murzakanov honorable mention Murzakanov honorable mention Odds (as of 06.02.25): Murzakanov -575, Ribeiro +425 Bruno Silva vs. Joshua Van Records: Silva (14-6-2 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Van (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) Silva (14-6-2 MMA, 4-3 UFC), Van (13-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) Past five: Silva 4-1, Van 4-1 Silva 4-1, Van 4-1 Division: Flyweight Flyweight Rankings: Silva No. 13 Silva No. 13 Odds (as of 06.02.25): Silva +400, Van -535 Kevin Holland vs. Vicente Luque Records: Holland (27-13 MMA, 14-10 UFC), Luque (23-10-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) Holland (27-13 MMA, 14-10 UFC), Luque (23-10-1 MMA, 16-6 UFC) Past five: Holland 2-3, Luque 2-3 Holland 2-3, Luque 2-3 Division: Welterweight Welterweight Rankings: Luque honorable mention Luque honorable mention Odds (as of 06.02.25): Holland -240, Luque +195 Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix Records: Bautista (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Mix (20-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Bautista (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC), Mix (20-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) Past five: Bautista 5-0, Mix 5-0 Bautista 5-0, Mix 5-0 Division: Bantamweight Bantamweight Rankings: Mix No. 6, Bautista No. 7 Mix No. 6, Bautista No. 7 Odds (as of 06.02.25): Bautista +140, Mix -165 Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer Records: Gastelum (20-9 MMA, 13-9 UFC), Pyfer (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) Gastelum (20-9 MMA, 13-9 UFC), Pyfer (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) Past five: Gastelum 2-3, Pyfer 4-1 Gastelum 2-3, Pyfer 4-1 Division: Middleweight Middleweight Rankings: None None Odds (as of 06.02.25): Gastelum +295, Pyfer -375 Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison Records: Peña (13-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC), Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) Peña (13-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC), Harrison (18-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) Past five: Peña 3-2, Harrison 4-1 Peña 3-2, Harrison 4-1 Division: Women's bantamweight Women's bantamweight Rankings: Peña No. 1, No. 5 pound-for-pound; Harrison No. 3, No. 7 pound-for-pound Peña No. 1, No. 5 pound-for-pound; Harrison No. 3, No. 7 pound-for-pound Odds (as of 06.02.25): Peña +455, Harrison -625 Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley Records: Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC), O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC), O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) Past five: Dvalishvili 5-0, O'Malley 4-1 Dvalishvili 5-0, O'Malley 4-1 Division: Bantamweight Bantamweight Rankings: Dvalishvili No. 1, No. 6 pound-for-pound; O'Malley No. 2, No. 14 pound-for-pound Dvalishvili No. 1, No. 6 pound-for-pound; O'Malley No. 2, No. 14 pound-for-pound Odds (as of 06.02.25): Dvalishvili -310, O'Malley +250
