Following his impressive win over Derrick Lewis at UFC 324, Waldo Cortes-Acosta has set his sights on a bout with Curtis Blaydes. With Cortes-Acosta’s rise in the heavyweight rankings over the past year, he is eager to challenge Blaydes and potentially secure a fight in Mexico.
Cortes-Acosta’s Rapid Ascent in the Heavyweight Division
Over the last twelve months, Waldo Cortes-Acosta has made significant strides in the heavyweight division, proving himself against top-tier opponents. His recent victory against veteran Derrick Lewis stands out as a major achievement in his career progression, marking him as a notable contender in the division.
Despite talk of a possible title shot, uncertainty remains around the championship situation, particularly due to Tom Aspinall’s current eye injury, which has created ambiguity about upcoming title defenses.
Demand for a Mexican Venue and Call-Out of Curtis Blaydes
At the UFC 324 post-fight press event, Cortes-Acosta made it clear that he is pushing for a collision with Curtis Blaydes, expressing his desire for the fight to take place in Mexico. He emphasized the importance of representing Latin America on home soil and the opportunity to involve his family.
“I’ve asked for Curtis Blaydes before. Let’s see if he is up to fight me in Mexico,”
Cortes-Acosta stated.
“I would like to fight in Mexico if God permits, and it would be an honor for me to represent Latin America in Mexico.”
He downplayed the difficulty of facing Blaydes, comparing it to the tougher challenges he has encountered recently. Cortes-Acosta also highlighted his frustration with Blaydes’ social media behavior as motivation for the fight.
“It’s not very hard. It’s not a crazy big challenge,”
he explained.
“I’ve already been through bigger challenges in the last three fights. I want to fight him because he talks a lot of trash on social media and I don’t like people who talk like that, so I want to crack his head.”
Family ties also play a role in his wish to compete in Mexico City. With four Mexican children and a Mexican wife, he sees a victory at home as a personal and cultural milestone.
“I want to fight in Mexico, Mexico, Mexico,”
Cortes-Acosta declared.
“Fighting in Mexico City has always called my attention. It’s something I want to do for me and for my family. I have four Mexican kids and my wife is Mexican, as well, so I want to give her the opportunity to take her there so she can see Mexico and get a win there.”
Implications for the Heavyweight Division and Future Matchups
Cortes-Acosta’s demand adds a compelling chapter to the heavyweight division’s evolving storyline. A showdown with Curtis Blaydes could serve as a critical test for both fighters and possibly shape the path toward the next title contender. The desire to fight on Mexican soil also reflects the growing influence of Latin American fighters within the UFC’s global calendar.
As UFC fans and analysts watch developments following UFC 324, the potential Cortes-Acosta Curtis Blaydes fight represents a high-stakes matchup that could further establish both athletes among the division’s elite.
