Earlier tonight at Noche UFC, heavyweight contenders Curtis Blaydes and Waldo Cortes Acosta did not give fans the fight they would have loved to witness and had expected.

Fight recap

Round 1 was a slow and steady affair from both fighters. Blaydes initiated the first takedown attempt, but Cortes Acosta defended well.

Neither fighter showed any urgency.

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 12: (R-L) Curtis Blaydes punches Waldo Cortes Acosta of the Dominican Republic in their heavyweight fight during the Noche UFC event at Desert Diamond Arena on September 12, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“Razor” used perfect feints to keep “Salsa Boy” alert to the threat of a takedown, and in the final seconds of the first frame, Blaydes finally managed to secure a takedown.

In the second frame, Blaydes managed to take Cortes Acosta down a few times with ease, but the latter did a good job getting back to his feet, after which both heavyweights had their moments in the stand-up, but once again, neither landed anything significant. Both appeared to be gassed out in the final seconds of Round 2.

In Round 3, just when Cortes Acosta started to get aggressive, Blaydes dragged him back to the mat once more.

Cortes Acosta managed to get back up, but he failed to land anything significant and stayed on the back foot for the remainder of the round, wary of being taken down again.

Official decison: Curtis Blaydes defeated Waldo Cortes Acosta via unanimous decision (29-28 x 3) at Noche UFC.

Noche UFC: Waldo Cortes Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes – Highlights

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 12: (R-L) Curtis Blaydes punches Waldo Cortes Acosta of the Dominican Republic in their heavyweight fight during the Noche UFC event at Desert Diamond Arena on September 12, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Subham

Subham is a writer and editor with experience spanning MMA, Health & Fitness, true crime, and pop culture. He has previously worked with Sportskeeda MMA, SK True Crime, and SK Pop, Movies, and Shows.
He currently covers the UFC for LowKickMMA and MMA Pros Picks.