Live UFC 324 Blog: Waldo Cortes-Acosta Faces Derrick Lewis
The highly anticipated matchup at UFC 324 featured Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Derrick Lewis. This heavyweight clash took place on a Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Cortes-Acosta entered the bout with an impressive record of 16 wins and 2 losses, while Lewis had a record of 29 wins, 12 losses, and 1 no contest.
Fight Background and Rankings
Cortes-Acosta achieved a remarkable feat in 2025, securing a 4-1 record and climbing to No. 7 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. Conversely, Lewis held the No. 13 spot. Both fighters faced high stakes in this bout; Cortes-Acosta aimed for a title shot in 2026, while Lewis intended to fight at the White House in June.
Fighter Profiles
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta: Record: 16-2. Notable Wins: Knockouts against Shamil Gaziev and Ante Delija in November 2025.
- Derrick Lewis: Record: 29-12, 1 NC. Recent Success: Three wins in his last four fights, including back-to-back knockouts.
Fight Summary
The bout began with high tension. Cortes-Acosta showed his speed, attempting quick jabs, while Lewis relied on his power. Early exchanges included Lewis’s notable right hand and Cortes-Acosta’s agile footwork.
Round Breakdown
- Round 1: Cortes-Acosta scored with jabs and a counter left. MMA Fighting scored the round 10-9 in favor of Cortes-Acosta.
- Round 2: The intensity heightened. Lewis fired heavy shots, but Cortes-Acosta remained evasive. A powerful counter right from Cortes-Acosta knocked Lewis down.
Fight Conclusion
As Cortes-Acosta landed heavy strikes on the grounded Lewis, referee Jason Herzog intervened to stop the contest at 3:14 of Round 2. The official result declared Waldo Cortes-Acosta as the winner by TKO due to strikes.
Post-Fight Remarks
In a post-fight interview, Cortes-Acosta expressed his desire to challenge Curtis Blaydes, stating he wanted to silence the competitor’s ongoing trash talk. “I want to shut him up,” he affirmed through a translator.
Upcoming Aspirations
With this victory, Waldo Cortes-Acosta continues his pursuit of greatness in the heavyweight division, while Derrick Lewis remains determined to fight despite approaching his 41st birthday.
