We’ve got a colossal heavyweight clash on tap for Saturday night, as top contenders Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes throw down at Noche UFC: Silva vs. Delgado in Glendale, Arizona.
Cortes-Acosta (17–3, 10–3 UFC) will look to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkov at UFC 328 in May, which snapped a three-fight stoppage streak. Blaydes (19–6, 14–6 UFC [1 NC]) has alternated wins and losses over his past six bouts, most recently dropping a decision after an epic battle with Josh Hokit at UFC 327 in April.
Cortes-Acosta enters as a -205 moneyline favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook. Blaydes is a +170 underdog, with the fight total set at O/U 2.5 rounds.
Cortes-Acosta vs. Blaydes Preview
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (#5)
- 17–3 (10–3 UFC)
- 9–0 (T)KO
- 1–0 SUB
After getting stumped by the towering Alexander Volkov at UFC 328, Waldo Cortes-Acosta now gets to pick on someone his own size. “Salsa Boy,” 34, has emerged as a legitimate title contender over the years, winning eight of his last 10 bouts since August 2023.
A former professional baseball pitcher within the Cincinnati Reds organization, Cortes-Acosta has channeled his old pitching mechanics into serious knockout power. With four of his last five wins coming by knockout or TKO, the Dominican contender is eyeing another highlight at Noche UFC.
Curtis Blaydes (#6)
- 19–6 (14–6 UFC [1 NC])
- 13–5 (T)KO
- 0–0 SUB
The last few years have not been kind to Curtis Blaydes. While Cortes-Acosta has soared up the heavyweight ladder, the former title challenger has dropped three of his five bouts since 2023.
Still a dangerous striker with national-championship-level wrestling, the 35-year-old Blaydes has accrued a ton of mileage during that stretch. In addition to suffering a pair of first-round stoppage losses, the Chicago-area native is coming off a three-round war with Josh Hokit at UFC 327. Blaydes absorbed 177 significant strikes across the three rounds, further eroding his already compromised chin.
Cortes-Acosta vs. Blaydes Pick, Best Bet
Waldo Cortes-Acosta’s improved grappling defense — he’s only been taken down twice over his past nine fights — should give him the clear edge on Saturday night. By thwarting Curtis Blaydes’ greatest strength, “Salsa Boy” can keep the fight in his wheelhouse and impose his superior striking. Given Blaydes’ fading durability, Cortes-Acosta heads into Noche UFC seemingly one clean shot away from rejoining the title conversation.
