The co-main event of UFC Vegas 110 saw former PFL heavyweight champ Ante Delija looking for his second win in two attempts since arriving in the UFC, as he took on Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
Cortes-Acosta was ranked #6 in the weight class, giving an indication of just how highly the promotion thinks of Croatian heavyweight Ante.
Early on. Delija backed Cortes-Acosta up to the fence, but the larger heavyweight, by over twenty pounds, reversed, changing levels and looking for a double-leg takedown. Ref Mark Smith threatened to take the position for lack of action, only for Delija to peel away soon after. They’d wind up back in a similar spot, Delija taking the fight to the fence, Cortes-Acosta reversing. Less time spent in it, however.
Just when things seemed to be moving along, they exploded. Delija landed a couple of shots in an exchange, and Cortes-Acosta covered up, fired back, and covered up some more. Delija began picking his shots, and the ref halted the action — but did not wave off the fight. He went to the replay official, which showed the initial contact made was an eye poke, which forced Cortes-Acosta to cover up.
Delija, however, had been celebrating a win that was not forthcoming. Even a handful of promotion officials seem to think the fight was over.
Coincidentally, Delija’s teammate Tom Aspinall had been the victim of an accidental eye poke a week ago. Waldo-Cortes was given the option to continue, and could be heard saying his vision was improving. As with Aspinall, if Waldo could not continue, the bout would be a No Contest. Cortes-Acosta, after another minute or so, chose to carry on.
No point taken, and Cortes-Acosta went on the attack immediately when the action resumed. Moments later, he dropped Delija, and followed up with hammer fists! That was the fight. This one will be controversial, as Delija initially thought he had won the fight, though the replay was clear, and the turn of events unimaginable.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta was still nursing his eye during his post-fight interview, saying he felt the finger dig his eye. “I felt like I could continue,” he added, saying that despite having 20% vision, “I don’t give a f*ck.”
Official Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Ante Delija by KO, Round 1, 3:59
