LAS VEGAS -- Waldo Cortes Acosta and Johnny Walker are taking a gamble. Cortes Acosta risks his standing in the UFC heavyweight rankings against an unranked opponent, while Walker looks to fast-track his heavyweight ambitions. The two knockout artists headline UFC Fight Night on Saturday at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas.
Cortes Acosta (17-4) built his reputation on activity, but his busy schedule might be catching up to him. The UFC's sixth-ranked heavyweight has lost consecutive fights to Alexander Volkov and Curtis Blaydes, putting a damper on his rapid rise through the division. Now, Cortes Acosta fights for the fourth time in nine months, accepting a short-notice main event against Walker with nothing to gain in the rankings.
Walker has been training with Volkov, but "Salsa Boy" doesn't think Walker will learn anything valuable from him. "I heard he told somebody, 'Oh, I know I can knock out Waldo Cortes right now because I train with Alexander Volkov.' But my question is, 'Did Alexander Volkov knock me out?' No. What is he learning from Alexander Volkov?
Kicking and running away for his life," Cortes Acosta told CBS Sports. "If this is what you're learning, I'll chase you anywhere. I prepare for people like you or him.
I'm well prepared, and I'll go for your head." event and UFC Fight Night is included with your subscription! Plans start as low as $8.99/month or $89.99/year! Walker (23-10) is moving faster than anticipated.
The former light heavyweight contender made a successful heavyweight debut last month, knocking out Mick Parkin and closing the door on a frustrating chapter of his UFC career. Walker had planned to take his time in the new weight class, even calling out unranked veteran Marcin Tybura as a sensible next step. Instead, he's jumping straight into a main event against a top-10 heavyweight on nine days' notice.
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