Heavyweights Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Shamil Gaziev faced off at UFC Qatar after this short notice fight was scheduled less than a week out.
Gaziev’s original opponent was Sergei Spivac, while Acosta recently knocked out PFL newcomer Ante Delija in a highly controversial fight.
Round one started with Gaziev plotting forward. Acosta backed up to the fence as Gaziev crashed forward with a strong three punch combination. Waldo circled away landing a jab, then followed it up with a short right hand that staggered Gaziev. As Gaziev retreated Cortes-Acosta pounced on his injured opponent looking to end the fight. Acosta threw another crisp jab that this time set up a winging fastball of a right hand from the former professional pitcher. A massive punch that landed flush on the jaw of Gaziev, who was out before he hit the floor.
This was an impressive knockout from Cortes-Acosta earning him his second stoppage win in the last 30 days. The now 6th-ranked Heavyweight prospect will likely move up the rankings and demand a high level opponent next. With the heavyweight division waiting for the result of a potential rematch between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, there are many names for Cortes-Acosta as future opponents.
“Salsa Boy” added in his post-fight interview that he wants to fight again next month, which would be a crazy pace for a heavyweight.
Official Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Shamil Gaziev by KO (punch), Round 1, 1:22
