Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Updated: 12/10/2025, 4:38:17 PM Wikipedia source
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (born October 3, 1991) is a Dominican professional mixed martial artist and boxer. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional since 2018, Cortes-Acosta earned his UFC contract on Dana White's Contender Series, winning by first round TKO. As of November 25, 2025, he is #5 in the UFC Heavyweight rankings. He also competed in the LFA, where he was the heavyweight champion.
Infobox
Born
(1991-10-03) October 3, 1991 (age 34)Fundación, Barahona Province, Dominican Republic
Other names
Salsa Boy
Residence
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Height
6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight
262 lb (119 kg; 18 st 10 lb)
Division
Heavyweight
Reach
78 in (198 cm)
Fighting out of
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Team
Ultimate Kombat Training Center
Trainer
Javier Torres
Rank
Blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu
Years active
2018–present
Total
18
Wins
16
By knockout
8
Losses
2
By submission
1
By decision
2
Tables
Professional record breakdown · Mixed martial arts record
By knockout
By knockout
19 matches
By knockout
16 wins
8
2 losses
0
By submission
By submission
19 matches
By submission
16 wins
1
2 losses
0
By decision
By decision
19 matches
By decision
16 wins
7
2 losses
2
No contests
No contests
19 matches
No contests
16 wins
1
| 19 matches | 16 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 8 | 0 |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| By decision | 7 | 2 |
| No contests | 1 | |
· Mixed martial arts record
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
16–2
Opponent
Shamil Gaziev
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker
Date
November 22, 2025
Round
1
Time
1:22
Location
Al Rayyan, Qatar
Notes
Performance of the Night.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
15–2
Opponent
Ante Delija
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Garcia vs. Onama
Date
November 1, 2025
Round
1
Time
3:59
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Notes
Performance of the Night.
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
14–2
Opponent
Sergei Pavlovich
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang
Date
August 23, 2025
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Shanghai, China
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
14–1
Opponent
Serghei Spivac
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC 316
Date
June 7, 2025
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Newark, New Jersey, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
13–1
Opponent
Ryan Spann
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2
Date
March 15, 2025
Round
2
Time
4:48
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
12–1
Opponent
Robelis Despaigne
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento
Date
May 11, 2024
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
11–1
Opponent
Andrei Arlovski
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2
Date
January 13, 2024
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
10–1
Opponent
Łukasz Brzeski
Method
KO (punches)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie
Date
August 26, 2023
Round
1
Time
3:01
Location
Kallang, Singapore
Loss
Loss
Res.
Loss
Record
9–1
Opponent
Marcos Rogério de Lima
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón
Date
April 29, 2023
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
9–0
Opponent
Chase Sherman
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba
Date
November 19, 2022
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
8–0
Opponent
Jared Vanderaa
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen
Date
October 29, 2022
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
7–0
Opponent
Danilo Suzart
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
Dana White's Contender Series 48
Date
August 2, 2022
Round
1
Time
3:40
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
6–0
Opponent
Thomas Petersen
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
LFA 129
Date
April 15, 2022
Round
3
Time
4:53
Location
Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States
Notes
Won the LFA Heavyweight Championship.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
5–0
Opponent
Derrick Weaver
Method
TKO (punches)
Event
LFA 124
Date
February 11, 2022
Round
2
Time
0:22
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
4–0
Opponent
Muhammed DeReese
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
Bellator 271
Date
November 12, 2021
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Hollywood, Florida, United States
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
3–0
Opponent
Jordan Powell
Method
Decision (unanimous)
Event
RUF 43
Date
August 29, 2021
Round
3
Time
5:00
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Notes
Road to ONE Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Edison Lopes
Method
Submission (kimura)
Event
RUF 42
Date
July 31, 2021
Round
1
Time
3:12
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Notes
Road to ONE Heavyweight Tournament First Round.
Win
Win
Res.
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Odell Pantin
Method
KO (punch)
Event
Iron Boy MMA 11
Date
May 19, 2018
Round
2
Time
1:23
Location
Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Notes
Heavyweight debut.
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Win | 16–2 | Shamil Gaziev | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker | November 22, 2025 | 1 | 1:22 | Al Rayyan, Qatar | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 15–2 | Ante Delija | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Garcia vs. Onama | November 1, 2025 | 1 | 3:59 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 14–2 | Sergei Pavlovich | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang | August 23, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Shanghai, China | |
| Win | 14–1 | Serghei Spivac | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 316 | June 7, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Newark, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 13–1 | Ryan Spann | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 | March 15, 2025 | 2 | 4:48 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 12–1 | Robelis Despaigne | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento | May 11, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | |
| Win | 11–1 | Andrei Arlovski | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 | January 13, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Łukasz Brzeski | KO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie | August 26, 2023 | 1 | 3:01 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Loss | 9–1 | Marcos Rogério de Lima | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Song vs. Simón | April 29, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 9–0 | Chase Sherman | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Nzechukwu vs. Cuțelaba | November 19, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 8–0 | Jared Vanderaa | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen | October 29, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 7–0 | Danilo Suzart | TKO (punches) | Dana White's Contender Series 48 | August 2, 2022 | 1 | 3:40 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 6–0 | Thomas Petersen | TKO (punches) | LFA 129 | April 15, 2022 | 3 | 4:53 | Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States | Won the LFA Heavyweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Derrick Weaver | TKO (punches) | LFA 124 | February 11, 2022 | 2 | 0:22 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Muhammed DeReese | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 271 | November 12, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jordan Powell | Decision (unanimous) | RUF 43 | August 29, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Road to ONE Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 2–0 | Edison Lopes | Submission (kimura) | RUF 42 | July 31, 2021 | 1 | 3:12 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Road to ONE Heavyweight Tournament First Round. |
| Win | 1–0 | Odell Pantin | KO (punch) | Iron Boy MMA 11 | May 19, 2018 | 2 | 1:23 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Heavyweight debut. |
· Professional boxing record
By knockout
By knockout
10 fights
By knockout
6 wins
2
4 losses
3
By decision
By decision
10 fights
By decision
6 wins
4
4 losses
1
| 10 fights | 6 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 2 | 3 |
| By decision | 4 | 1 |
· Professional boxing record
10
10
No.
10
Result
Loss
Record
6–4
Opponent
Sonny Conto
Type
KO
Round, time
1 (4), 1:41
Date
Apr 10, 2021
Location
Osage Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
9
9
No.
9
Result
Win
Record
6–3
Opponent
Daviante Jones
Type
UD
Round, time
4
Date
Oct 29, 2020
Location
WestWorld, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
8
8
No.
8
Result
Loss
Record
5–3
Opponent
Kingsley Ibeh
Type
TKO
Round, time
4 (6), 1:41
Date
Jun 25, 2020
Location
MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
7
7
No.
7
Result
Win
Record
5–2
Opponent
Kingsley Ibeh
Type
SD
Round, time
4
Date
Oct 12, 2019
Location
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Chandler, Arizona, U.S.
6
6
No.
6
Result
Win
Record
4–2
Opponent
Chad Davis
Type
TKO
Round, time
3 (6), 2:02
Date
Jul 27, 2019
Location
Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
5
5
No.
5
Result
Win
Record
3–2
Opponent
Dale Sopi
Type
UD
Round, time
4
Date
Apr 27, 2019
Location
Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
4
4
No.
4
Result
Loss
Record
2–2
Opponent
Dante Stone
Type
SD
Round, time
4
Date
Aug 11, 2018
Location
Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
3
3
No.
3
Result
Win
Record
2–1
Opponent
Dante Stone
Type
UD
Round, time
4
Date
Feb 24, 2018
Location
Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
2
2
No.
2
Result
Win
Record
1–1
Opponent
Ruben Rivera
Type
TKO
Round, time
3 (4), 2:41
Date
Oct 14, 2017
Location
Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
1
1
No.
1
Result
Loss
Record
0–1
Opponent
Adam Stewart
Type
TKO
Round, time
1 (4), 2:58
Date
Jun 1, 2017
Location
Camelback Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 10 | Loss | 6–4 | Sonny Conto | KO | 1 (4), 1:41 | Apr 10, 2021 | Osage Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 6–3 | Daviante Jones | UD | 4 | Oct 29, 2020 | WestWorld, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 8 | Loss | 5–3 | Kingsley Ibeh | TKO | 4 (6), 1:41 | Jun 25, 2020 | MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 5–2 | Kingsley Ibeh | SD | 4 | Oct 12, 2019 | Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Chandler, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 4–2 | Chad Davis | TKO | 3 (6), 2:02 | Jul 27, 2019 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 3–2 | Dale Sopi | UD | 4 | Apr 27, 2019 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 4 | Loss | 2–2 | Dante Stone | SD | 4 | Aug 11, 2018 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Dante Stone | UD | 4 | Feb 24, 2018 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Ruben Rivera | TKO | 3 (4), 2:41 | Oct 14, 2017 | Celebrity Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Adam Stewart | TKO | 1 (4), 2:58 | Jun 1, 2017 | Camelback Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. |
References
- www.ufc.comhttps://www.ufc.com/rankings
- "Venció a excampeón, fue beisbolista: próximo rival de Robelis Despaigne"https://playoffmagazine.com/waldo-cortes-acosta-proximo-rival-de-robelis-despaigne-ufc/
- "Cortés-Acosta y Despaigne le ponen sabor al peso completo de UFC"https://www.espn.com.ar/mma/nota/_/id/13638134/ufc-cortes-acosta-vs-despaigne-caribenos-peso-completo
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Waldo-CortesAcosta-190909
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-271-Cyborg-vs-Kavanagh-PlaybyPlay-Results-Round-Scoring-182935
- MMA Fightinghttps://www.mmafighting.com/2022/8/2/23289850/dwcs-season-6-week-2-results-chris-duncans-insane-knockout-comeback-caps-5-contract-night
- Jared Vanderaa On 4-Fight Losing Skid: 'A Lot Of Crying, Sadness' | UFC Fight Night 213https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4kAA0hLe1M
- mma.unohttps://mma.uno/waldo-cortes-acosta-vs-jared-vanderaa-agregado-a-ufc-fight-night-del-29-de-octubre/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/10/29/ufc-vegas-63-waldo-cortes-acosta-vs-jared-vanderaa/
- "Chase Sherman vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta set for UFC Fight Night 215"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/11/chase-sherman-vs-waldo-cortes-acosta-ufc-fight-night-215-mma-booking-matchup-announcement
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2022/11/19/ufc-vegas-65-chase-sherman-vs-waldo-cortes-acosta/
- MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español.https://mma.uno/el-dominicano-waldo-cortes-acosta-enfrentara-a-experimentado-brasileno-en-ufc-fight-night-del-28-de-abril/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2023/04/29/ufc-vegas-72-marcos-rogerio-de-lima-vs-waldo-acosta/
- "UFC Singapore: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Lands Fastball, KOs Lukasz Brzeski"https://cagesidepress.com/2023/08/26/ufc-singapore-waldo-cortes-acosta-vs-lukasz-brzeski/
- www.itnwwe.comhttps://www.itnwwe.com/mma/andrei-arlovski-vs-waldo-cortes-acosta-reported-for-ufc-vegas-83/
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/01/13/ufc-vegas-84-showboating-waldo-cortes-acosta-decisions-andrei-arlovski/
- Sherdoghttps://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Robelis-Despaigne-to-Face-Waldo-CortesAcosta-at-UFC-on-ESPN-56-in-St-Louis-193023
- Cageside Presshttps://cagesidepress.com/2024/05/11/ufc-st-louis-robelis-despaigne-falters-in-step-up-against-waldo-cortes-acosta/
- "UFC News: Fan-Favorite Chris Barnett Returns to Fight Top Heavyweight Prospect"https://www.si.com/fannation/mma/news/ufc-news-fan-favorite-chris-barnett-returns-to-fight-top-heavyweight-prospect
- "Chris Barnett gets new opponent for UFC Fight Night 244"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/09/ufc-news-chris-barnett-vs-junior-tafa-waldo-cortes-acosta
- "Ryan Spann moves to heavyweight for UFC showdown with Waldo Cortes-Acosta"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2024/12/ufc-news-ryan-spann-vs-waldo-cortes-acosta
- "UFC Vegas 104 Results: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Too Powerful for Ryan Spann"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/03/15/ufc-vegas-104-results-waldo-cortes-acosta-too-powerful-for-ryan-spann/
- "Not Gaziev. Spivak has a new opponent at UFC 316"https://vringe.com/mma/news/188256-ne-gaziev-u-spivaka-novyy-sopernik-po-ufc-316.htm
- "UFC 316: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Goes Distance, Takes Decision Against Serghei Spivac"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/06/07/ufc-316-waldo-cortes-acosta-goes-distance-takes-decision-against-serghei-spivac/
- "Waldo Cortes-Acosta defeats Sergey Spivac"https://mmadecisions.com/decision/15458/Waldo-Cortes-Acosta-vs-Sergey-Spivac
- "Sergei Pavlovich vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta booked for UFC Shanghai"https://www.mmafighting.com/2025/6/18/24451833/sergei-pavlovich-vs-waldo-cortes-acosta-booked-for-ufc-shanghai
- "UFC Shanghai: Veteran Sergei Pavlovich Proves Too Much for Waldo Cortes-Acosta"https://cagesidepress.com/2025/08/23/ufc-shanghai-veteran-sergei-pavlovich-proves-too-much-for-waldo-cortes-acosta/
- MMAmania.comhttps://www.mmamania.com/ufc-news/389137/hard-hitting-heavyweight-newcomer-scores-ufc-main-event-in-just-second-appearance
- "Wild Turn of Events Sees Waldo Cortes-Acosta Go From Poke to KO of Ante Delija in UFC Vegas 110 Co-Main"https://cagesidepress.com/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/
- "Bonuses! Waldo Cortes-Acosta's wild comeback knockout finish leads $50K winners - UFC Vegas 110"https://www.mmamania.com/ufc-bonuses-and-awards/400185/ufc-vegas-110-official-post-fight-bonus-winners-results-espn-garcia-johnson-cortes-acosta
- MMAmania.comhttps://www.mmamania.com/latest-news/404369/waldo-cortes-acosta-saves-ufc-qatar-heavyweight-fight-after-last-second-serghei-spivac-withdrawal
- "UFC Qatar video: Waldo Cortes-Acosta scores devastating knockout over Shamil Gaziev after taking fight 2 days ago"https://www.mmafighting.com/ufc/457954/ufc-qatar-video-waldo-cortes-acosta-scores-devastating-knockout-over-shamil-gaziev-after-taking-fight-2-days-ago
- "UFC Qatar bonuses: Waldo Cortes-Acosta's legendary turnaround pays off"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/11/22/ufc-qatar-bonuses-waldo-cortes-acosta-kyoji-horiguchi-luke-riley-arman-tsarukyan-50000/87423320007/
- "Waldo Cortes-Acosta lands Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 in Las Vegas"https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/11/27/ufc-324-waldo-cortes-acosta-vs-derrick-lewis-booked-paramount-card/87491213007/