“So much needed right now just wins. Maybe it wasn’t so impressive, but Waldo is f*cking tough mother f*cker. Nobody can finish him,” Volkov told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.

“I put him knockdown in the second round, but I was so accurate with his tricks.”

Volkov (40-11) was well aware the fight may not have been aesthetically pleasing to fans, especially against a known heavy-hitter like Cortes-Acosta, as the Russian largely relied on a point-scoring game plan to keep himself out of danger. It’s a lesson he learned the hard way in the past against another dangerous knockout artist.

“I learned the lesson. 2008 when Derrick Lewis did the same and (caught) me at the very end of the fight. Everybody reminds me of this again and again every time they see me. So I know this lesson very good,” he said.

“With these tough mother f*ckers who can punch in any minute in fight, better to be very accurate, and just give him lot of damage.”

Volkov has spoken about fighting for the UFC title, including in the cage, but struck a surprisingly self-deprecating tone when discussing his place among the division’s elite following the win. Despite his resume and success, he downplayed his standing and admitted to feeling the pressure that comes with climbing the heavyweight ranks.

“I don’t know. I understand the rules of the game. I’m so scared to fight for the title honestly. This guy is so big, so huge, so talented. I don’t know what I’m doing here in top two honestly,” he said.

“It’s so hard to be there like I need to do every time like new plan, how to win. I hid in my closet and coach can’t find me so I almost miss the bus to arena. I don’t know what I will do when I will fight for the title, I don’t know why I tell this. I was so brave after the win, but now a little bit calm down, I don’t know why I did this.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Alexander Volkov above. 

The post Alexander Volkov Touts Lessons Learned Against Derrick Lewis appeared first on Cageside Press.

In the co-main event, UFC Flyweight Champion, Joshua Van, successfully defended his strap in a masterful boxing performance over challenger, Tatsuro Taira. In the main event, Sean Strickland edged out the UFC Middleweight Champion, Khamzat Chimaev to snatch back the belt. Only one non-ranked fighter on this edition of What’s Next, but a potential move up in weight for a couple of fighters.

Khamzat Chimaev

(#3) Sean Strickland surprised quite a few fans with his split decision victory of champion Khamzat Chimaev to win back the middleweight title at UFC 328 on Saturday. It was a hard fought bout for both men with Khamzat first looking nearly unstoppable, before his grappling started to fail him early/midway through the fight. This loss was the first of Khamzat’s career, though Kamaru Usman notably took Chimaev to a majority decision on short notice back in 2023. Chimaev is now 15-1 as a pro and 9-1 in the UFC since being signed in 2020.

205lbs.

Not sure if Khamzat will elect to move up to 205lbs or not with his 6’2″ frame and 75″ reach. But, according to UFC President Dana White in the UFC 328 post-fight press conference, Chimaev wants to give light heavyweight a go. If Khamzat indeed moves up, an excellent high profile, immediate test would be against (#6) Jamahal Hill. Jamahal is a 2019 Contender Series alum that has the seemingly unimpressive UFC record of 6-4 with 1 NC. He’s riding a -three-fight losing streak. But upon further inspection, he’s a former UFC light heavyweight champion that strung together a 4-fight win streak to take down Glover Teixeira for the belt in 2023. Hill has dropped three straight since then, losing to Alex Pereira, Jiri Porchazka and most recently Khalil Rountree Jr., last June. This fight would be a dangerous striking litmus test for Khamzat at 205lbs. Hill is 6’4″ with a 79″ reach. This fight could serve as part of a PPV card up to the co main event slot.

185lbs.

If Khamzat changes his mind and stays at 185lbs., the next matchup should be against (#5) Caio Borralho. Caio is 8-1 in the UFC and 1-1 in his last two. He lost to (#2) Nassourdine Imavov in September before bouncing back against Reinier de Ridder earlier this year. Timing would be a tad off but it could still make a lot of since and set up a title shot for either fighter.

Khamzat’s next fight: (#6) Jamahal Hill at 205lbs or (#5) Caio Borralho at 185lbs.

Tatsuro Taira

Flyweight champ Joshua Van brutalized (#3) Tatsuro Taira with his boxing at UFC 328 on Saturday eventually finishing the Japanese fighter after evading grappling exchanges and submissions. Taira showed massive amounts of grit in the bout and his tenacity eventually earned this scrap Fight of the Night honors. Even though Taira came in as a slight favorite, his stock doesn’t drop too horribly after a gutsy performance like that. Tatsuro is now 8-2 in the UFC since being signed in 2022. Taira is 2-2 in his last four bouts. But he’s earned fight of the night honors in both defeats. Tatsuro was riding a two-fight win streak heading into Saturday with second round stoppages over Hyun Sung Park and Brandon Moreno.

Taira’s next fight should be against the loser of Manel Kape vs. Kyoji Horiguchi. That fight goes down on June 20 and is also in the main event slot. Timing wouldn’t be the best but it’d be worth waiting for either either fighter. Kape is currently 7-3 with the UFC and is riding a 3-fight win streak that saw him stop (#15) Bruno Silva, (#8) Asu Almabayev and most recently (#4) Brandon Royval.

Horiguchi is 9-1 with the UFC in total but is 2-0 since being signed back with the promotion in 2025. The former RIZIN flyweight champion has defeated (#14) Tagir Ulanbekov and (#7) Amir Albazi in his second stint with the promotion. Both fighters are ascending and with a victory could likely fight for the title. Since Taira just gave a good showing for the strap he’d be the obvious choice for the loser. This bout could even potentially be on the same card as the flyweight championship bout to line the winner up to take on the Flyweight Champ.

Tatsuro’s next fight: (#2) Manel Kape vs. (#5) Kyoji Horiguchi loser

Waldo Cortes-Acosta

(#2) Alexander Volkov turned in an excellent performance, despite a little chaos late, to capture a unanimous decision victory over (#4) Waldo Cortes-Acosta on Saturday night. The defeat cooled off the 2022 Contender Series Alum as it snapped a 3-fight win streak. Cortes-Acosta is now 10-3 with the UFC. His other losses are to Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Sergei Pavlovich. Heading into this fight he had stopped Ante Delija, Shamil Gaziev and most recently, Derrick Lewis.

Curtis Blaydes Matchup

For his next fight Waldo should take on Curtis Blaydes. Curtis was previously matched up with the winner of Shamil Gaziev vs. Brando Pericic winner on the UFC 327 losers article. Perhaps that matchup isn’t the best option seeing Brando end up getting the stoppage victory over Shamil along with the heavyweight ranking of #15.  Giving Blaydes a fighter like Waldo seems more appropriate. And it seems like a good step for Waldo as well after a loss to top ranked Volkov. Blaydes is 2-3 in his last five. Those three losses came to (#3) Sergei Pavlovich, UFC Heavyweight Champion, Tom Aspinal and most recently (#5) Josh Hokit. He’s beat Jailton Alemdia and (#8) Rizvan Kuniev in that stretch. This could be on the main card of a PPV and gives fans a striker vs. grappler matchup between two top-level heavyweights.

Josh Hokit Matchup

Good backup fight here, if everything falls into place for it, would be (#5) Josh Hokit. Josh is a 2025 Contender Series alum and is just 3-0 with the promotion.  If he gets through Derrick Lewis on short turnaround he’d still need another legitimate win. Especially before unlocking a matchup with the upper echelon on the division. Cortes-Acosta could be that name. But only if it materializes right. That fight goes down on June 14.

Waldo’s next fight:  (#7) Curtis Blaydes or (#5) Josh Hokit if he beats (#9) Derrick Lewis 

Joaquin Buckley

(#6) Sean Brady used his grappling prowess on the main card of UFC 328 on Saturday to find the unanimous decision victory opposite of (#9) Joaquin Buckley. This loss marks just the second time Buckley has been on a losing streak in his 29-fight career (the other being 2022 when he lost to Naasourdine Imavov and then Chris Curtis). Stings for Buckley as before this 2-fight skid he was riding a 6-fight wins streak with included stoppages over former title challengers in Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington.

Gabriel Bonfim Matchup

For his next fight, Joaquin Buckley should take on Gabriel Bonfim if he loses to Belal Muhammad. That fight is scheduled for June 6th so the timing would be great. Bonfim is 6-1 with the promotion with his only loss coming to Nicolas Dalby in 2023. Since then, Bonfim has racked up four in a row including finishes against Khaos Williams and most recently, Randy Brown. Bonfim also has a win over Stephen Thompson in that stretch. It’d also offer fans a great standup matchup. If former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad loses, not sure the grappling aspect would be a good option for Buckley considering the outcome of UFC 328.

Yaroslav Amosov Matchup

Good backup option here would be Yaroslav Amosov. Yarolsav is a former Bellator Welterweight title Challenger a promotion where he went 8-1. Amosov is 2-0 with the UFC since his signing last year. Yaroslav has stopped Neil Magny and on the undercard of UFC 328 he took two rounds to submit Joel Alvarez with an arm triangle choke. Don’t sleep on this matchup. It could be a viable option for the promotion if they’d like to push Amosov at all. Could be a co main or a main of a fight night or a PPV opener/ feature prelim.

Joaquin’s next fight: (#10) Gabriel Bonfim if he loses to (#5) Belal Muhammad or (#14) Yaroslav Amosov

Jeremy Stephens

King Green looked as sharp as ever showing off his signature striking before electing to get the job done on the ground via a late first round submission victory over Jeremy Stephens at UFC 328. Jeremy’s 36th UFC showing went from bad to worse, first 4 lbs. heavy and then proceeded to get finished. Stephens also lost his UFC return last year in a unanimous decision to Mason Jones. Since that fight he suffered a stoppage opposite of Mike Perry during a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship bout.

Seemed like Stephens was ready to call it a career after his bout with Green as he removed his gloves. But if he gets another bout in with the UFC a perfect option would be a fighter like Jared Gordon. Jared also suffered a submission defeat on the UFC 328 card. Jim Miller took under a round to catch Jared in a guillotine to bring Gordon to 9-8 with the UFC. Gordon has lost three of his last four bouts. Losses in this stretch include Nasrat Haqparast, Rafa Garcia and now Jim Miller. Walking back a previous losers article matchup here, as an Alexander Hernandez bout just doesn’t make much sense here even though he also is coming off a loss to Rafa Garcia too. Gordon shares three common oppeonts with Stephens: King Green, Charles Olivera and Jim Miller. All losses- except Green vs. Gordon ending via NC

Jeremy’s next bout: Retirement or Jared Gordon

The post What’s Next: UFC 328 Losers appeared first on Cageside Press.

With interim gold on the line between Alex Pereira and Ciryl Gane next month, and champ Tom Aspinall waiting to make his return, the winner of “Drago” vs. “Salsa Boy” had a shot to potentially be next in line.

Volkov, as he so often does, had a height and reach advantage in the bout, though he was only three inches taller than Dominican Cortes-Acosta. The former Bellator champ fired low kicks early, but Cortes-Acosta was happy to return fire. Cortes-Acosta also worked his jab, but not surprisingly, it couldn’t cover the distance required to reach Volkov. The Russian, meanwhile, landed his inside leg kick more than once as he circled and moved side-to-side.

Cortes-Acosta finally exploded ahead of the midway mark of round one, firing some fastballs, but Volkov blocked then escaped. He’d continue working both inside and outside leg kicks. Cortes-Acosta chased the towering Volkov, firing heavy punches that continued to hit air. Volkov went to the body with a kick, and connected; Cortes-Acosta landed a jab off of it however. Moments later, Cortes-Acosta moved in with a two punch combo that took Volkov by surprise. Volkov was showing a bit of redness around the nose after that.

Round two saw Cortes-Acosta pressing forward, putting on enough pressure for Volkov to briefly change levels. Cortes-Acosta began targeting the body, and found a home for his right hand as well. Volkov answered with a kick to the body, then another. A high kick by Volkov had a combination trailing it, though Cortes-Acosta wasn’t in any danger. As the round wore on, Cortes-Acosta pointed to center, pleading for a brawl that Volkov wasn’t interested in.

Moments later, it was Volkov clipping Waldo with a punch; “Salsa Boy” waved him in anyway. Cortes-Acosta recovered, but Volkov landed a head kick moments later. Not enough on it, but it landed clean. Cortes-Acosta fired a few leg kicks of his own, but appeared to have slowed by the end of the round. Volkov landed a jab, and nearly stumbled Cortes-Acosta with another outside kick to close out the frame.

The third frame still had the fight up for grabs, with it easily one round apiece after two rounds. Cortes-Acosta’s corner certainly told him as much. Volkov, however, was more active early, firing a head kick and trailing it with a second kick to the body. Moments later, an eye poke landed, with the ref missing it initially then calling time so that Volkov, the victim, could recover. On the restart, Cortes-Acosta came out hot, but a Volkov jab, and a body kick just after, shut that flurry down. Volkov, however, was bloodied. Cortes-Acosta fired a heavy overhand. Volkov went high with another kick, but Cortes-Acosta began firing heavy shots, having found a second wind. Went Volkov ripped another kick, Cortes-Acosta reached for a takedown, but Volkov just walked him to the fence.

With a minute on the clock, it would come down to who wanted it more. Cortes-Acosta threw a massive overhand that hit air. Volkov fired a kick, and a straight. Then another kick. Cortes-Acosta had damage around his eye, but the blood leaking from Volkov’s nose was far more noticeable. And it was Cortes-Acosta swinging for the fences late, looking to steal the round, and the fight.

No such luck for Waldo. Volkov took the win on the scorecards, then called for a title fight, saying that Alex Pereira is “not a heavyweight.”

Official Result: Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

The post Alexander Volkov Beats Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Calls for Title Shot Saying Pereira “Not a Heavyweight” appeared first on Cageside Press.

The Dominican fighter sits on a three-fight win streak, and is coming off a knockout finish of Derrick Lewis. The towering Volkov, six foot seven, enters off a win over Jailton Almeida and is never far from a title fight.

“Volkov is a very intelligent fighter, somebody that you have to be very cautious with, somebody that’s faced other fighters, he’s faced so much competition so you’ve seen what he offers,” Cortes-Acosta (17-2) said during Wednesday’s UFC 328 media day, speaking with journalists including Cageside Press. “He’s somebody that smartly avoids confrontation, so you have to take the confrontation up to him, take it up to him to win.”

Getting the win is one thing, but doing it in style also matters to “Salsa Boy.” As he put it, via translator, “the win is important, but the way you get the win is just as important. I’ve always been a fighter with a lot of volume, and it’s going to be no different this Saturday. That’s what I need to do, that’s what I’ve done, that’s what I need to do and that’s what I’m going to do on Saturday to finish this fast.”

Cortes-Acosta believes a win at UFC 328 could even land him a title shot, depending on how the heavyweight division plays out over the next few weeks. Champ Tom Aspinall is almost ready to return from injury. Ciryl Gane, whose eye pokes left Aspinall on the sidelines, is fighting Alex Pereira for an interim belt at the White House in June. Josh Hokit, a rising star at heavyweight, fights Derrick Lewis on that same Freedom 250 card.

“I think that after the fight that we had between Volkov and Gane from before, consider the result of that fight [a controversial decision], and consider what Tom said, he wants to wait for the winner of this fight for the interim title. Because of the result of the fight, and Volkov having beaten Ciryl, I don’t think they want to make that fight again,” suggested Cortes-Acosta. “So I do think that I should be ready for a fight, and I could be fighting for the title if all the chips fall [in the right place].”

A former pitcher, Cortes-Acosta has said the punch he knocked down Derrick Lewis with was a change-up. What will he knock down Volkov with? “It’s going to be a sinker,” he said with a laugh.

Watch the full UFC 328 media day appearance by Waldo Cortes-Acosta above.

The post UFC 328’s Waldo Cortes-Acosta: How You Win As Important As Winning Itself appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Thursday, UFC officials announced that Chimaev (15-0) will make his first title defense in May, when he’ll take on Sean Strickland (30-7) in the main event of UFC 328.

The card takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on May 9, 2026, and sees Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta serving as co-headliner.

Chimaev defeated Dricus Du Plessis with apparent ease at UFC 319 last August. That marked the Chechen’s long-awaited summit at the top of the middleweight mountain. The only knock on “Borz” over the past few years has been his lack of activity, partly due to illness. He’s fought just once in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025.

That’s a drastic change of course from his early UFC career, when he set activity records in the promotion.

Strickland reinserted himself in the title picture by defeated the surging Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez by knockout in the main event of UFC Houston last month. After shocking the MMA world by defeating Israel Adesanya to claim gold in September of 2023, Strickland lost the title to Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 in Toronto the following January.

A win over Paulo Costa earned Strickland a second crack at Du Plessis last year, but that fight didn’t go his way either. Yet with Reinier de Ridder falling off, Caio Borralho coming off a single win, and Hernandez having had the best case for a chance at gold, Strickland’s timing has proven perfect.

Thought Nassourdine Imavov might have something to say about it.

Announced for the UFC 328 card on May 9 are the following match-ups:

• Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland – for the UFC middleweight championship
• Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
• Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley
• Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov
• King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens
• Ateba Gautier vs. Ozzy Diaz

The post Chimaev vs. Strickland Title Fight Headlines UFC 328 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Justin Gaethje

It’s difficult to decipher what being a two-time interim champion means for Justin Gaethje’s legacy, but what Saturday did provide was yet another reminder that this class of lightweight action heroes is possibly the most special era of any division ever. Gaethje, along with the Charles Oliveiras, Dustin Poiriers, etc. of this lightweight class have been challenged numerous times by the so-called new wave of 155ers, but they have kept giving them the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag. Aside from Arman Tsarukyan, the wave of new names from four or five years have been denied by this aging, but historically great pack of lightweights. Despite an inspired effort, Paddy Pimblett can now be added to the list of names who have fallen short to Gaethje & Company.

As for “The Highlight”, we can expect to see him unify the titles against Ilia Topuria, potentially on the White House lawn. Maybe Topuria is out for even longer than expected and Gaethje has to defend his interim belt, but I’d be doubtful (at least for now).

Gaethje’s next fight: Ilia Topuria

Sean O’Malley

After dropping back-to-back contests to Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley’s place in the title picture at bantamweight seemed blurry at best and non-existent at worst. But once Petr Yan pulled off the upset and grabbed the belt back, O’Malley’s fight with Song Yadong suddenly took on an entirely different meaning. With a win, O’Malley would have a claim to a title shot since he has a win against Yan, as controversial as it may be.

This decision may have looked somewhat unimpressive compared to some of the highlights he has produced in the past, but it was a win nonetheless and I do believe it will be enough for O’Malley to slide right back into title contention. Especially with a card at the White House coming up, the promotion will probably be looking for Americans to put into some of those title fights, and O’Malley fits that bill.

O’Malley’s next fight: Petr Yan

Waldo Cortes-Acosta

In a surprising turn of events, Waldo Cortes-Acosta has been on a heater at heavyweight since dropping a decision to Sergei Pavlovich. He fought 5 times in 2025, including twice in November. Having now fought on the first card of 2026, he clearly didn’t want to waste any time getting back inside the octagon. After making quick work of Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev, he showed a more patient and methodical approach to dismantling the power threat in Derrick Lewis. He used his speed advantage to disorient Lewis and break his rhythm, on his way to a second-round TKO.

He called out Curtis Blaydes, which isn’t a bad option, but I prefer the Alexander Volkov matchup. Unfortunately for Volkov, he’ll almost certainly have to fight again before earning his title shot due to the delays of Tom Aspinall’s return. Why not take out the exciting new player in “Salsa Boy” to once again reaffirm your place as next in line?

Cortes-Acosta’s next fight: Alexander Volkov

Natalia Silva

It wasn’t the most action-packed nor the most decisive victory of Silva’s perfect UFC run, so far, but she was already the clear number one contender coming into this bout. Rose Namajunas may have leapfrogged Silva had she beaten Alexa Grasso on this card, which is why it was probably the right call for her to jump into Grasso’s spot once the Mexican withdrew as a way to make sure Rose couldn’t steal her spot.

Usually, these types of performances wouldn’t land you a title shot, especially when there are other names with a claim to it. However, Silva was already deserving of her shot after beating Grasso, this was just some added cushion between her and Erin Blanchfield, Maycee Barber, and the other contenders at flyweight. It may not be the most thrilling affair, but Valentina Shevchenko vs. Natalia Silva should be next.

Silva’s next fight: Valentina Shevchenko

Jean Silva

After suffering his first UFC loss to Diego Lopes in September, fans were wondering how the Brazilian would bounce back. Silva, who was often looking to shake hands with his opponent mid fight, was all business this time around. No fooling around, no unnecessary shenanigans, Silva came to fight. He was still mean-mugging Arnold Allen, doing theatrics in the dying seconds of the bout and was barking after winning the decision, but while in the fight, he seemed to have an added focus.

This allowed him to take home a competitive, but clear decision victory over the Englishman, who’s been a staple of the featherweight top10 for nearly half a decade, now. Knowing the promotion was ready to strap a rocket to him had he defeated Lopes in September, this win should bring him right back into a number one contender bout. I think a fight with Yair Rodriguez in late spring/early summer not only makes a whole lot of sense, but would be absolute fireworks, too.

Silva’s next fight: Yair Rodriguez

The post What’s Next: UFC 324 Winners appeared first on Cageside Press.

And the second-round TKO, WCA set his sights on Curtis Blaydes, a stud wrestler who he accused to trash talking him online.

Where and when does Cortes-Acosta want that bout? “I don’t care where they put me in there,” stated “Salsa Boy,” speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press during Saturday’s UFC 324 post-fight press conference. However, the Dominican star, a former baseball player, added that “I want to fight in Mexico, and I want to rip Curtis Blaydes’ head off in Mexico.”

The UFC returns to Mexico City this March, so the timeline is possible.

Josh Hokit, a Contender Series alum and former NFL player, won the night’s other heavyweight tilt on Saturday, calling out Waldo Cortes-Acosta after his own win. And if Cortes-Acosta didn’t like the trash talk of Blaydes, he almost certainly did not enjoy Hokit calling him a “deadbeat dad” to nine children.

“I’ve seen it, or I did hear it,” Cortes-Acosta said of Hokit’s comments, that were delivered in a gimmicky, pro-wrestling style. “I’ve crossed paths with him in the PI [UFC Performance Institute], and I’ve gone up there, to some of the coaches, and said ‘listen, you want to fight me? I’ll tell you what. Watch what I did, watch what I’ve been doing. Get there, train. Maybe that’s when we’ll cross paths.'”

However, Waldo has a better idea for who Hokit should fight: his training partner and former Bellator MMA heavyweight Tyrell Fortune.

“Tyrell Fortune, one of my training partners, I want to get him an opportunity in the UFC. I said ‘you know what, Tyrell, you come in and beat the crap out of this guy for me.'”

Fortune has won his last three fights, picking up two belts on the regional circuit in the process.

Watch the full UFC 324 post-fight press conference with Waldo Cortes-Acosta above.

The post Waldo Cortes-Acosta Wants Blaydes in Mexico, Suggests Hokit Fight Fortune appeared first on Cageside Press.

In the balance? Possibly a shot at UFC White House in June. Lewis, one of U.S. President Donald Trump’s favorite fighters, seemed like a no-brainer for the event. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, however, had voiced interest in appearing on the card himself, where he could represent Latin Americans.

Lewis and Cortes-Acosta both had their right hands cocked and loaded to start Saturday’s heavyweight scrap. Lewis, however, went high with a kick that was blocked. His next move was to fire an outside leg kick, but there wasn’t much on it. Cortes-Acosta fired a couple low kicks. Another high kick for Lewis was trailed with a jab.

A couple of swings by Lewis missed or didn’t land clean. Waldo caught a kick and dumped Lewis, but rather than getting on top, allowed “The Black Beast” to get back up. Back on the feet, Lewis fired off another high kick. Towards the end of the round, Cortes-Acosta landed his jab, but didn’t have much behind it.

Lewis landed a kick to the body early in the second, forcing Cortes-Acosta back. Waldo, however, appeared to hurt Lewis, then landed a knee to the body. If Lewis had been hurt, and not just off-balance, he recovered quickly. Lewis backed Cortes-Acosta up, taking some big swings, but the Dominican bounced off the fence and escaped. He worked his jab, working a more measured pace compared to Derrick Lewis, who was loading up on things.

With two minutes left, Lewis appeared to fall to his back, off a barely-there short punch from Cortes-Acosta. Waldo’s jab had just hit the chin, and Lewis might have slipped a bit, but either way, he sat down. Cortes-Acosta got on top, Lewis moved to his knees, and Waldo began unloading with punches. That was enough to bring in the ref, and Waldo Cortes-Acosta had another big victory in his march to a possible heavyweight title shot.

After the bout, Cortes-Acosta told Joe Rogan that he was “not surprised” by the outcome. He then called out Curtis Blaydes, who he accused of talking a “lot of trash,” and promised to “shut him up.”

Official Result: Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Derrick Lewis by TKO, Round 2, 3:14

The post UFC 324: Waldo Cortes-Acosta “Not Surprised,” Stops Derrick Lewis appeared first on Cageside Press.

To a man (and woman), nearly everyone involved sounded like their own confidence was high during Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, which saw the full main card on hand.

We’ve got some of the best quotes ready for you, ahead of the first UFC PPV numbered event of 2026!

Paddy Pimblett

On whether he actually hopes Justin Gaethje will draw him into a war and test him.

“Yeah of course. But I know I’ve got that in me anyway. I know I’ve got the heart and desire to go five rounds with a warrior like Justin Gaethje, but it’s not going to go that long. As I say, I’m going to put a beating on him, and it’s going to be like he’s never had before. And I can’t wait to show everyone just how good I am.”

Justin Gaethje

Reacting to Paddy Pimblett’s words, and diss of Dustin Poirier earlier in the week:

“I love it. This guy, I love everything he’s been saying. He sounds overconfident, he’s out here disrespecting legends like Dustin Poirier. I’m going to dog walk this English f*ck on Saturday. You watch.”

Jean Silva

Reacting to getting close to the UFC championship belt this week, and what these opportunities mean to him:

“I think that shows that I’m in the right path, and I’m doing the right things on the way to a title shot. I think even coming off of a loss, I lost to Diego [Lopes] who just got a [title] shot, probably because of the win against me. And I can tell you, Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell], Sean [Shelby], you can trust me, and you can take me to Sydney afterwards, because I can be there, just waiting on the title shot next.”

“For sure, you can rest assured that I will promote the greatest event that you will put on in your life.”

Natalia Silva

On what it will take to become one of the few to stop “Thug” Rose Namajunas:

“I have to be Natalia Silva. The only thing that I need to be on Saturday is to be myself, put my [game plan to work], and do what I need to do.”

Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Speaking on his fight with “The Black Beast” and what it could bring:

“The myth of Derrick Lewis ends on Saturday. This is about Waldo Cortes-Acosta going all the way to the top for the title.”

Derrick Lewis

On stopping Cortes-Acosta from stealing his spot on the UFC White House card:

“I’m gonna knock his ass out, first round.”

Sean O’Malley

Asked what he believes Sunday’s headlines will say about his fight with Song Yadong:

“The Suga Show’s back. I feel like every fight, I need to win. Like Suga Show snipping Song Yadong on Paramount, get more eyeballs- I feel like this is the return of the Suga Show.”

The post Confidence High on All Fronts Ahead of UFC 324 appeared first on Cageside Press.

As Cortes-Acosta (16-2) explained during Wednesday’s UFC 324 media day, the match-up is special because of Lewis’s fanbase and high profile within the sport of MMA. It’s also important for another reason: it’s allowing the 34-year old to stay active.

“It’s better too, because it’s my sixth fight in 11 months too. I didn’t get a sixth fight in 2025, but I’m having a sixth fight in 11 months,” he stated, speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press. “This is amazing too.”

Later, he’d suggest that “I can make a sixth or seventh fight this year.” Waldo is clearly a fan of keeping up the pace, after fighting five times in 2025.

Asked about training for the UFC’s knockout king, Cortes-Acosta said that “I’m the person that, I’m training hard every time. For Derrick Lewis, when he started, I’d barely been training MMA.” Cortes-Acosta even followed “The Black Beast,” back in the day, noting “he was one of my favorite fighters before, til now too, let me tell you. This Saturday— one day I think, ‘one day you will be fighting with him,’ and look at now. This is real, and next Saturday, January 24, it will be happening. It’s amazing.”

Talk ahead of Cortes-Acosta vs. Lewis has been that with a win, Derrick Lewis could wind up fighting on the UFC White House card. Should Cortes-Acosta get his hand raised, he’d also like a fight on the White House grounds this June. “It’s happening. Can UFC make it happen?” he queried.

“I want to fight [at the] White House. Latino America, everybody, we support it. More clout, so people can see one Latino fighting at the White House,” he stated. He’d also be up for an interim title fight, hopefully at the same location, should heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall be out a while longer.

“It’s possible. It’s possible. I’d be available for the title shot or interim shot, interim title. Any fight the UFC can put on there, I’ll be fighting. I want to fight [at the White House].”

Watch the full UFC 324 media day appearance by Waldo Cortes-Acosta above.

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