Waldo Cortes-Acosta: From Short Notice to Devastating Knockout!
Veteran combat sports journalist Damon Martin has been covering the fight game since 2003, and he’s seen a lot, but even he must be impressed by Waldo Cortes-Acosta’s recent performance. Cortes-Acosta is on fire, scoring his second victory this November with a brutal knockout at UFC Qatar against Shamil Gaziev.
It’s been a whirlwind month for Cortes-Acosta. Just a few weeks earlier, on November 1st, he delivered a devastating knockout over Ante Delija, despite an eye poke that hampered his vision. Then, incredibly, he received a call just two days before the UFC Qatar event, asking him to step in on short notice.
He seized the opportunity! Cortes-Acosta wasted no time, taking down Gaziev early in the first round with a powerful straight right hand that ended the fight. The knockout happened at 1:22 into the first round.
Cortes-Acosta’s record in 2025 is now an impressive 4-1, and he’s already looking ahead, hoping for one more fight before the year’s end.
“I want to finish this year for one more fight,” Cortes-Acosta declared after his victory. “I want to fight every time.”
He’s not shy about calling out top contenders either, boldly stating, “I want Curtis Blaydes or anyone at the top of the rankings. Tom Aspinall, you see me today what I do, I’m going to break your head like that.”
Despite the quick turnaround and a long flight, Cortes-Acosta showed no signs of slowing down. He came out swinging, ready to exchange blows with Gaziev. Even after getting clipped with a punch early on, it only seemed to fuel his fire. He unleashed a massive shot of his own, hurting Gaziev before delivering the knockout blow.
But here’s where it gets controversial… Could this rapid success lead to a title shot sooner than expected?
Given Cortes-Acosta’s eagerness to stay active, the UFC might try to schedule him for a December fight. Regardless, he’s certainly made the most of his November, securing two back-to-back wins.
What do you think of Cortes-Acosta’s performance? Do you believe he’s ready for a title contender? Share your thoughts in the comments!