UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention

Yahoo

07-06-2025

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.
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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."
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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