The first UFC show of 2024 has added some heavyweight flavoring.
Though not officially announced by the promotion, a January 13, 2024 Fight Night event will see former heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski (34-23, 1NC) take on ex-baseball player Waldo Cortes-Acosta (10-1) in a hard-hitting affair.
No venue, location, or broadcast plan has been reported for the card. News of the booking was first reported by ESPN Knockout’s Gaston Reyno, with both fighters later confirming the fight via their respective Instagram Story.
The seemingly ageless Arlovski has made a habit of turning away heavyweight prospects in recent years, with victories over Philipe Lins, Tanner Boser, and Carlos Felipe among a 6-3 run dating back to 2020. The 44-year old is currently on a two-fight skid, however, having fallen to Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Don’Tale Mayes most recently.
Starting his pro career in 1999, “The Pitbull” held UFC gold from 2005 to 2006, and later competed for EliteXC, Strikeforce, ONE Championship, and the World Series of Fighting. He returned to the UFC in 2014, and has remained active ever since.
Cortes-Acosta, 31, will have the edge in youth, like all of Arlovski’s opponents. He’s 3-1 inside the octagon, with his lone loss coming to a shared opponent with Arlovski in Rogerio de Lima.
No other fights have been reported for the UFC’s January 13, 2024 event. Andrei Arlovski, however, will turn 45 less than a month after the bout.
