LAS VEGAS – Waldo Cortes-Acosta’s climb up the MMA ladder has happened quickly, and he doesn’t seem to have any intentions of slowing down.
Cortes-Acosta made his MMA debut in 2018, but then concentrated on boxing for a few years. In 2021, he returned to MMA and in just one year racked up five wins, including a victory under the Bellator banner, an LFA heavyweight title, and a first-round knockout of Danilo Stuart on Dana White’s contender Series in August that punched his ticket to the UFC.
Saturday, Cortes-Acosta (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his promotional debut against Jared Vanderaa (12-9 MMA, 1-5 UFC), who is mired in a four-fight skid.
“I’m ready to knock him out. Everything is going to be a highlight,” Cortes-Acosta said at Wednesday’s media day for UFC Fight Night 213. “That’s what I’m looking for. I want to go high fast. I’m 31 years old. … I need make a statement. I’m going to be tough.”
UFC Fight Night 213 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
Despite having just seven pro fights, and the fact it’s his UFC debut against a struggling heavyweight, it might come as a surprise to see Cortes-Acosta smack-dab in the middle of the main card.
But the 31-year-old Dominican Republic native, who is based in Arizona, thinks it shows his potential.
“The UFC (thinks) I’m good to go for the big levels (of fight cards),” Cortes-Acosta said. “I’m here to (show) that. The UFC knows Saturday they have a good guy here for (to be a heavyweight contender).”
Check out Cortes-Acosta’s complete pre-fight interview in the video above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 213.
