Latest news with #HablemosMMA
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next
Waldo Cortes-Acosta wants to prove he's worthy of a UFC title shot, and he knows to do that he'll have to take difficult fights. The rising heavyweight contender called for one of the tougher challenges in the UFC heavyweight division following his unanimous decision win over Serghei Spivac this past Saturday at UFC 316. Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) wants to throw down with former UFC interim title challenger and long-time contender Curtis Blaydes. Advertisement "Like I told you before the fight, God willing, if UFC allows it, I'd like to fight against Curtis Blaydes," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "I want to prepare 100 percent and give it my all, and see what happens. I can prepare myself physically better, and work hard like I always do. I do know that I need to work hard now that I'm facing these guys because they're more advanced, more experience." Cortes-Acosta, who's on a five-fight winning streak, thinks doesn't see himself too far from title contention, and thinks a win over Blaydes could close him that gap. The Dominican fighter sees a showdown against Blaydes very much like his fight on Saturday – a striking affair that will eventually get his opponent to start wrestling. "I think that's a fight that will mainly lay out in the feet, but the moment things get complicated for him, he's going to look for the takedowns," Cortes-Acosta said. "That's what happened in this fight When Spivac started having difficulty striking, he looked to take the fight to the ground because I started catching him. The moment I began connecting my jab, I thought, 'I found him. I got this.'" As far as his win over Spivac, some people online scored the fight for the Russian fighter despite Cortes-Acosta out landing Spivac in significant and total strikes in every round of the fight. He disagrees with the "robbery claims" and thought he clearly won the fight. Advertisement "The first round, I had a tough time figuring him out," Cortes-Acosta explained. "I was a little confused, and I couldn't find him with my jab. Then after, towards the end of Round 1, I began to find my jab. I do give him the first round. He looked better. However, in the second, my accumulation of strikes was too much. Then in the third, my coach said I connected more than 100 strikes. So yeah." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next
UFC's Waldo Cortes-Acosta calls for top contender bout vs. Curtis Blaydes next Waldo Cortes-Acosta is looking for a step-up in his next UFC fight. Waldo Cortes-Acosta wants to prove he's worthy of a UFC title shot, and he knows to do that he'll have to take difficult fights. The rising heavyweight contender called for one of the tougher challenges in the UFC heavyweight division following his unanimous decision win over Serghei Spivac this past Saturday at UFC 316. Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) wants to throw down with former UFC interim title challenger and long-time contender Curtis Blaydes. "Like I told you before the fight, God willing, if UFC allows it, I'd like to fight against Curtis Blaydes," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "I want to prepare 100 percent and give it my all, and see what happens. I can prepare myself physically better, and work hard like I always do. I do know that I need to work hard now that I'm facing these guys because they're more advanced, more experience." Cortes-Acosta, who's on a five-fight winning streak, thinks doesn't see himself too far from title contention, and thinks a win over Blaydes could close him that gap. The Dominican fighter sees a showdown against Blaydes very much like his fight on Saturday – a striking affair that will eventually get his opponent to start wrestling. "I think that's a fight that will mainly lay out in the feet, but the moment things get complicated for him, he's going to look for the takedowns," Cortes-Acosta said. "That's what happened in this fight When Spivac started having difficulty striking, he looked to take the fight to the ground because I started catching him. The moment I began connecting my jab, I thought, 'I found him. I got this.'" As far as his win over Spivac, some people online scored the fight for the Russian fighter despite Cortes-Acosta out landing Spivac in significant and total strikes in every round of the fight. He disagrees with the "robbery claims" and thought he clearly won the fight. "The first round, I had a tough time figuring him out," Cortes-Acosta explained. "I was a little confused, and I couldn't find him with my jab. Then after, towards the end of Round 1, I began to find my jab. I do give him the first round. He looked better. However, in the second, my accumulation of strikes was too much. Then in the third, my coach said I connected more than 100 strikes. So yeah."
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention
Waldo Cortes-Acosta feels he's on the cusp of title contention, and it's hard to disagree. The Dominican heavyweight has quietly put together an impressive run in the UFC, picking up six wins in the seven fights he's had since joining the promotion. These victories include two knockouts, and several notable names such as Ryan Spann, Robelis Despaigne, Chase Sherman and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. Advertisement This Saturday at UFC 316, Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) looks to continue to bolster that resume and go on a five-fight winning streak when he takes on top-10 ranked heavyweight Serghei Spivac. He thinks a win over Spivac (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will open up big opportunities for him in the division. "Yeah, I do feel the attention and the importance of the event," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "This fight can push me, can catapult me to the top, and put me in the title conversation. Maybe I win this one, one more after that, and I'm ready for a title shot, God willing." Cortes-Acosta has his path to victory mapped out for Spivac. Avoid the ground game and keep the fight in his realm. "I see it as a striker vs. wrestler," Cortes-Acosta said. "I don't think he has the hands to match me in the octagon. Like I've said, every fight I'm evolving. I never stop evolving. I feel stronger and I'm heavier now." Advertisement There are high expectations for Cortes-Acosta in this matchup. He sees himself finishing the "Polar Bear" "I expect the knockout," Waldo-Acosta said. "Come Saturday, I'll be knocking on the door, and it will be opened." This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans to KO Serghei Spivac
USA Today
07-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention
UFC 316's Waldo Cortes-Acosta plans Serghei Spivac KO, enter heavyweight title contention Waldo Cortes-Acosta sees a big opportunity at UFC 316. Waldo Cortes-Acosta feels he's on the cusp of title contention, and it's hard to disagree. The Dominican heavyweight has quietly put together an impressive run in the UFC, picking up six wins in the seven fights he's had since joining the promotion. These victories include two knockouts, and several notable names such as Ryan Spann, Robelis Despaigne, Chase Sherman and former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski. This Saturday at UFC 316, Cortes-Acosta (13-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) looks to continue to bolster that resume and go on a five-fight winning streak when he takes on top-10 ranked heavyweight Serghei Spivac. He thinks a win over Spivac (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will open up big opportunities for him in the division. "Yeah, I do feel the attention and the importance of the event," Cortes-Acosta told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "This fight can push me, can catapult me to the top, and put me in the title conversation. Maybe I win this one, one more after that, and I'm ready for a title shot, God willing." Cortes-Acosta has his path to victory mapped out for Spivac. Avoid the ground game and keep the fight in his realm. "I see it as a striker vs. wrestler," Cortes-Acosta said. "I don't think he has the hands to match me in the octagon. Like I've said, every fight I'm evolving. I never stop evolving. I feel stronger and I'm heavier now." There are high expectations for Cortes-Acosta in this matchup. He sees himself finishing the "Polar Bear" "I expect the knockout," Waldo-Acosta said. "Come Saturday, I'll be knocking on the door, and it will be opened."
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Coach Jorge Climent details 'gentleman agreement' to split with Ilia Topuria
Coach Jorge Climent details 'gentleman agreement' to split with Ilia Topuria Coach Jorge Climent explains why he's no longer working with Ilia Topuria. Jorge Climent has been met with mixed emotions in recent days following his split with former UFC champion and longtime alumni Ilia Topuria. Climent, along with his brother Agustin, coached Topuria throughout his fighting career—from his early days as a teenager debuting in amateur MMA to defending the UFC featherweight title with a historic knockout over Max Holloway. Climent has been there every step of the way in Topuria's MMA journey. That's why their recently announced split comes with a wide range of emotions. "Professionally, it's painful," Climent told Hablemos MMA in Spanish. "But in another way, I feel liberated and good. I know everything is going to workout for him and for us as well. This is positive for them and us." The news of Topuria parting ways with Climent Club caught many by surprise, given their history and vast success in recent years. However, for both parties, it was something that was brewing for some time, as Topuria's stardom pushed him to move from Alicante, Spain – where Climent Club is based, to Madrid, the country's capital. A superstar in Spain, Topuria had many obligations and business that pulled him to Madrid, so he packed his thing and relocated with his family almost a year ago. "These things game up little by little, like 'We're not going to be able to this, we're not going to be able to that,'" Climent said. "Every time I have more and more trips. Last week, I was in PFL. In a little I'm going to Madrid because we have someone fighting, the week after that, Cage Warriors. We have almost 30 professional MMA fighters, and he needs something else. I have to be a little selfish because I've invested so much time in the gym, and all my life is here. So it was something that over time arose, and we treated it like adults and friends." Climent assures that the relationship with Topuria remains in good standing, and that there were no bad feelings in the split. It just didn't make sense logistically for either party. "There's a lot of people that like to give their opinions without knowing the reality," Climent explained. "This was a consensus. We have a lot of years of friendship. The management team came out saying that we were splitting, and all that, but the truth is that we're in Alicante, and they're in Madrid. I have my family, my gym, my students, and tons of projects that I have invested time in. I have my reality series, my MMA promotion. So Ilia left Alicante last year, he built a gym at his house, we got to accompany him in the camps, but had so many things to do in Madrid. His brother went with him. He has certain needs that I can't fulfill because I can't be permanently with him in Madrid like Javi did, the boxing trainer that is now living with them. "So we talked about it, we had a gentlemen agreement, we shook hands, and I'm proud of everything we did together. I'm very grateful to Ilia for everything he did in the sport and everything he gave us because it's true we also benefited from the point like our gym is full, the promotion is rolling, everything is good due to all we built. It was a great journey, and now he continues in search of another belt, and I'll continue forming champion. That's it." Topuria's rise in MMA has been meteoric in both it's impact and speed. Climent is amazed at how things have played out, and is very thankful for the experience. "What we've been through has been a roller coaster and super enriching," Climent said. "I've learned so much these last few years and lucky all this knowledge that I've gained I now can apply it to everyone that's here. We've all learned together. It wasn't a path that I carved, or he carved. Yes, we were older, and they were kids, but this journey we've done it together. We've opened so many doors. Actually, we've knocked down doors because nobody would open those doors for us. We came out of a place where there was nothing to having the best fighter in the world, created by our work. That's crazy." Topuria is scheduled to go for his second divisional title. After vacating the featherweight belt, Topuria was paired against Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title in the main event of UFC 317 – which goes down at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on June 28.
