Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Last updated
Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Born (1991-10-03) October 3, 1991 (age 35)
Fundación, Barahona Province, Dominican Republic
Other namesSalsa Boy
Height6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight264 lb (120 kg; 18 st 12 lb)
Division Heavyweight
Reach78 in (198 cm)
Fighting out of
 Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
TeamUltimate Kombat Training Center
TrainerJavier Torres
RankBlue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu [1]
Years active2018–present
Professional boxing record
Total10
Wins6
By knockout3
Losses4
By knockout3
Mixed martial arts record
Total21
Wins17
By knockout9
By submission1
By decision7
Losses4
By decision4
Other information
Boxing record from BoxRec
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Waldo Cortes-Acosta (born October 3, 1991) is a Dominican professional mixed martial artist and professional boxer. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2018, Cortes-Acosta competed in the LFA, where he was the heavyweight champion and subsequently earned his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series, winning by first-round TKO. As of September 12, 2026, he is #8 in the Meta UFC heavyweight rankings. [2]

Contents

Background

Cortés Acosta is originally from Barahona, Dominican Republic, and initially pursued a career in baseball before becoming a professional mixed martial artist. He began playing baseball in his native Dominican Republic at a young age and eventually moved to the United States to continue pursuing the sport professionally. He later became a professional baseball player, but his career was cut short after suffering an elbow injury that required surgery.

Following the end of his baseball career, Cortés Acosta found a new path in combat sports. At the age of 24, he began training in boxing and mixed martial arts, relatively late compared with many fighters who start martial arts during childhood. Despite this late start and having no extensive background in wrestling or grappling, he quickly developed an interest in MMA and began dedicating himself to improving his striking, conditioning, and overall fighting skills. His athletic background in baseball, particularly as a pitcher, would later contribute to the power and mechanics of his punching. [3]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Cortes-Acosta trained at the Tristar Gym alongside Georges St-Pierre and started off with two victories in professional MMA. [4] [5]

Cortes-Acosta faced Muhammed DeReese on November 12, 2021, at Bellator 271. He won the bout by unanimous decision. [6]

In his last bout before DWCS, Cortes-Acosta faced Thomas Petersen for the LFA Heavyweight Championship on April 15, 2022, at LFA 129. He won the bout by TKO in the third round. [5]

Dana White's Contender Series

On August 2, 2022, Cortes-Acosta faced Danilo Suzart for a UFC contract a Week 2 of Season 6 of Dana White's Contender Series on August 2, 2022. He won the fight via first-round TKO and was awarded a contract by Dana White. [7]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

After earning his contract, Cortes-Acosta made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 213 against Jared Vanderaa on October 29, 2022. [8] [9] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [10]

Cortes-Acosta faced Chase Sherman on November 19, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 215. [11] He won the fight via unanimous decision. [12]

Cortes-Acosta faced Marcos Rogério de Lima on April 29, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 45. [13] He lost the fight via unanimous decision. [14]

Cortes-Acosta faced Łukasz Brzeski on August 26, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 225. He won the fight via KO in the first round. [15]

Cortes-Acosta faced Andrei Arlovski on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234. [16] He won the bout by unanimous decision. [17]

Cortes-Acosta faced Robelis Despaigne on May 11, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56. [18] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [19]

Cortes-Acosta was scheduled to face Chris Barnett on October 12, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 244. [20] However, Cortes-Acosta withdrew from the fight for unknown reasons and was replaced by Junior Tafa. [21]

Cortes-Acosta faced former LFA Light Heavyweight Champion Ryan Spann on March 15, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 254. [22] He won the fight by knockout in the second round. [23]

Cortes-Acosta faced Serghei Spivac on June 7, 2025, at UFC 316, replacing an injured Shamil Gaziev. [24] He won the fight by unanimous decision. [25] 10 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Spivac. [26]

Cortes-Acosta faced former interim UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Sergei Pavlovich on August 23, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 257. [27] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [28]

Cortes-Acosta faced Ante Delija on November 1, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 263. [29] In the first round, the fight was briefly halted due to an eye poke, initially resulting in a mistaken technical knockout win for Delija. After video review, the bout resumed, and Cortes-Acosta won shortly after by knockout. [30] This fight earned him his first Performance of the Night award. [31]

Replacing Serghei Spivac on two days' notice, Cortes-Acosta faced Shamil Gaziev on November 22, 2025, at UFC Fight Night 265. [32] He won the fight by knockout in the first round. [33] This fight earned him another Performance of the Night award. [34]

Cortes-Acosta faced former UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger Derrick Lewis on January 24, 2026, at UFC 324. [35] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two. [36]

Cortes-Acosta faced Alexander Volkov on May 9, 2026, at UFC 328. [37] He lost the fight by unanimous decision. [38]

Cortes-Acosta was scheduled to face Curtis Blaydes on September 19, 2026, at UFC 331. [39] However, the bout was shifted to one week prior to September 12, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 288. [40] Cortes-Acosta lost the fight by unanimous decision. [41]

Cortes-Acosta is scheduled to face Johnny Walker on November 7, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 293, after the original welterweight main event between Sean Brady and Gabriel Bonfim was cancelled due to Brady's injury. [42]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
21 matches17 wins4 losses
By knockout90
By submission10
By decision74
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Loss17–4 Curtis Blaydes Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Delgado September 12, 202635:00 Glendale, Arizona, United States
Loss17–3 Alexander Volkov Decision (unanimous) UFC 328 May 9, 202635:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win17–2 Derrick Lewis TKO (punches) UFC 324 January 24, 202623:14 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win16–2 Shamil Gaziev KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker November 22, 202511:22 Al Rayyan, QatarPerformance of the Night.
Win15–2 Ante Delija KO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Garcia vs. Onama November 1, 202513:59 Las Vegas, Nevada, United StatesPerformance of the Night.
Loss14–2 Sergei Pavlovich Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang August 23, 202535:00 Shanghai, China
Win14–1 Serghei Spivac Decision (unanimous) UFC 316 June 7, 202535:00 Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win13–1 Ryan Spann TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 March 15, 202524:48 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win12–1 Robelis Despaigne Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento May 11, 202435:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win11–1 Andrei Arlovski Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 January 13, 202435:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win10–1Łukasz BrzeskiKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie August 26, 202313:01 Kallang, Singapore
Loss9–1 Marcos Rogério de Lima Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón April 29, 202335:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win9–0 Chase Sherman Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba November 19, 202235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win8–0 Jared Vanderaa Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen October 29, 202235:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win7–0Danilo SuzartTKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 48 August 2, 202213:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win6–0Thomas PetersenTKO (punches) LFA 129 April 15, 202234:53 Prior Lake, Minnesota, United StatesWon the LFA Heavyweight Championship.
Win5–0Derrick WeaverTKO (punches) LFA 124 February 11, 202220:22 Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win4–0Muhammed DeReeseDecision (unanimous) Bellator 271 November 12, 202135:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win3–0Jordan PowellDecision (unanimous) RUF 43 August 29, 202135:00 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesRoad to ONE Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win2–0Edison LopesSubmission (kimura) RUF 42 July 31, 202113:12 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesRoad to ONE Heavyweight Tournament First Round.
Win1–0Odell PantinKO (punch)Iron Boy MMA 11May 19, 201821:23 Phoenix, Arizona, United StatesHeavyweight debut.

Professional boxing record

10 fights6 wins4 losses
By knockout23
By decision41
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
10Loss6–4Sonny ContoKO1 (4), 1:41Apr 10, 2021 Osage Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
9Win6–3Daviante JonesUD4Oct 29, 2020 WestWorld, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
8Loss5–3Kingsley IbehTKO4 (6), 1:41Jun 25, 2020 MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
7Win5–2Kingsley IbehSD4Oct 12, 2019Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Chandler, Arizona, U.S.
6Win4–2Chad DavisTKO3 (6), 2:02Jul 27, 2019Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
5Win3–2Dale SopiUD4Apr 27, 2019Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
4Loss2–2Dante StoneSD4Aug 11, 2018Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
3Win2–1Dante StoneUD4Feb 24, 2018Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
2Win1–1Ruben RiveraTKO3 (4), 2:41Oct 14, 2017 Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
1Loss0–1Adam StewartTKO1 (4), 2:58Jun 1, 2017Camelback Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.

See also

References

  1. ↑ @waldocortesmma; (June 21, 2023). ""Recibe mi cinta azul en jiu-jitsu 🟦🟦🟦 después de varios años trabajando estamos gracias a @javiertorresofficialmma por creer en mi y estamos preparando la salsa para agosto 26 @ufc en Singapore"" – via Instagram.
  2. ↑ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2026-09-12.
  3. ↑ "Venció a excampeón, fue beisbolista: próximo rival de Robelis Despaigne". playoffmagazine. 2024-05-07.
  4. ↑ "Cortés-Acosta y Despaigne le ponen sabor al peso completo de UFC" (in Spanish). ESPN. 2024-05-10.
  5. 1 2 Sherdog.com. "Waldo "Salsa Boy" Cortes-Acosta". Sherdog. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  6. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Bellator 271 'Cyborg vs. Kavanagh' Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring". Sherdog. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  7. ↑ Marrocco, Steven (2 August 2022). "DWCS Season 6, Week 2 results: Chris Duncan's insane knockout comeback caps 5-contract night". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
  8. ↑ Jared Vanderaa On 4-Fight Losing Skid: 'A Lot Of Crying, Sadness' | UFC Fight Night 213. MMAjunkie.com . October 26, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Waldo Cortés-Acosta vs. Jared Vanderaa agregado a UFC Fight Night del 29 de octubre - MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español". mma.uno (in Spanish). 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2022-08-07.
  10. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2022-10-29). "UFC Vegas 63: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Survives Leg-Kick Heavy Attack of Jared Vanderaa". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-10-31.
  11. ↑ Staff (2022-11-08). "Chase Sherman vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta set for UFC Fight Night 215". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2022-11-08.
  12. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2022-11-19). "UFC Vegas 65: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Gets Past Tough Chase Sherman". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-11-19.
  13. ↑ ATSteveDuncan (2023-02-08). "El dominicano Waldo Cortes-Acosta enfrentará a experimentado brasileño en UFC Fight Night del 28 de abril". MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  14. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2023-04-29). "UFC Vegas 72: Marcos Rogerio de Lima Chops Up Lead Leg of Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Wins Decision". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  15. ↑ "UFC Singapore: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Lands Fastball, KOs Lukasz Brzeski". Cagesidepress. 2023-08-26.
  16. ↑ ITN News Desk (2023-09-25). "Andrei Arlovski vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta Reported for UFC Vegas 83". www.itnwwe.com. Retrieved 2023-09-25.
  17. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2024-01-14). "UFC Vegas 84: Showboating Waldo Cortes-Acosta Decisions Andrei Arlovski". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-01-14.
  18. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Robelis Despaigne to Face Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC on ESPN 56 in St. Louis". Sherdog. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  19. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2024-05-11). "UFC St. Louis: Robelis Despaigne Falters in Step Up Against Waldo Cortes-Acosta". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2024-05-11.
  20. ↑ Christopher De Santiago (2024-07-29). "UFC News: Fan-Favorite Chris Barnett Returns to Fight Top Heavyweight Prospect". si.com. Retrieved 2024-08-11.
  21. ↑ Nolan King (2024-09-29). "Chris Barnett gets new opponent for UFC Fight Night 244". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-09-29.
  22. ↑ Nolan King (2024-12-18). "Ryan Spann moves to heavyweight for UFC showdown with Waldo Cortes-Acosta". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2024-12-18.
  23. ↑ Jay Anderson (2025-03-15). "UFC Vegas 104 Results: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Too Powerful for Ryan Spann". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
  24. ↑ Staff (2025-04-24). "Not Gaziev. Spivak has a new opponent at UFC 316". vringe.com. Retrieved 2025-06-07.(in Russian)
  25. ↑ Jay Anderson (2025-06-07). "UFC 316: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Goes Distance, Takes Decision Against Serghei Spivac". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-06-07.
  26. ↑ MMA Decisions (2025-06-07). "Waldo Cortes-Acosta defeats Sergey Spivac". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 2025-06-21.
  27. ↑ Damon Martin (2025-06-18). "Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta booked for UFC Shanghai". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
  28. ↑ Staff (2025-08-23). "UFC Shanghai: Veteran Sergei Pavlovich Proves Too Much for Waldo Cortes-Acosta". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-08-23.
  29. ↑ Richardson, Andrew (2025-09-13). "Hard-hitting Heavyweight newcomer scores UFC main event in just second appearance". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2025-09-13.
  30. ↑ Staff (2025-11-01). "Wild Turn of Events Sees Waldo Cortes-Acosta Go From Poke to KO of Ante Delija in UFC Vegas 110 Co-Main". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2025-11-01.
  31. 1 2 Dan Hiergesell (2025-11-02). "Bonuses! Waldo Cortes-Acosta's wild comeback knockout finish leads $50K winners - UFC Vegas 110". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2025-11-02.
  32. ↑ Richardson, Andrew (2025-11-20). "Waldo Cortes-Acosta saves UFC Qatar Heavyweight fight after last-second Serghei Spivac withdrawal". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2025-11-20.
  33. ↑ Damon Martin (2025-11-22). "UFC Qatar video: Waldo Cortes-Acosta scores devastating knockout over Shamil Gaziev after taking fight 2 days ago". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  34. 1 2 Matt Erickson (2025-11-22). "UFC Qatar bonuses: Waldo Cortes-Acosta's legendary turnaround pays off". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  35. ↑ Matthew Wells and Nolan King (2025-11-27). "Waldo Cortes-Acosta lands Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2025-11-27.
  36. ↑ Anderson, Jay (2026-01-24). "UFC 324: Waldo Cortes-Acosta "Not Surprised," Stops Derrick Lewis". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2026-01-25.
  37. ↑ Mike Heck (2026-03-07). "UFC 328: Top-10 heavyweights collide in crucial divisional matchup". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
  38. ↑ Jay Anderson (2026-05-09). "Alexander Volkov beats Waldo Cortes-Acosta, calls for title shot saying Pereira "not a heavyweight"". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2026-05-10.
  39. ↑ Staff (2026-07-12). "Top 8 heavyweights collide at UFC 331 in Los Angeles". heavy.com. Archived from the original on 2026-07-13. Retrieved 2026-07-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  40. ↑ Staff (2026-07-14). "Top 8 Heavyweights collide at Noche UFC in Phoenix". heavy.com. Retrieved 2026-07-14.
  41. ↑ Jay Anderson (2026-09-12). "Noche UFC: Curtis Blaydes defeats Waldo Cortes-Acosta in fight that leaves crowd frustrated". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 2026-09-13.
  42. ↑ Alexander Behunin (2026-10-29). "Report: Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs Johnny Walker now headlines UFC Vegas 124". mmamania.com. Retrieved 2026-10-30.
  43. ↑ "The Fighters | 2025 UFC.com Awards | UFC". www.ufc.com. December 23, 2025. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
  44. ↑ Meshew, Jed (December 30, 2025). "2025 Best of the Rest Awards: Event of the Year, Round of the Year, Bozo of the Year, and more". MMA Fighting. Retrieved December 30, 2025.
  45. ↑ Heck, Mike (December 27, 2025). "MMA Fighting's 2025 Breakthrough Fighter of the Year: Joshua Van". MMA Fighting. Retrieved December 27, 2025.
  46. ↑ Meshew, Jed (January 1, 2026). "2025 All-Violence Team: Who were the most memorable fighters in each weight class this year?". MMA Fighting. Retrieved January 1, 2026.
  47. ↑ Riggs, Drake (December 28, 2025). "MMA's biggest breakthrough fighters of 2025: 5 names who reshaped the conversation". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved December 28, 2025.
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