Despite a spirited effort in Shanghai, Waldo Cortes-Acosta came up short against Sergei Pavlovich, dropping a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). Cortes-Acosta opened well behind his jab and low kicks, but Pavlovich’s pressure and heavier strikes ultimately carried the fight. Still, Cortes-Acosta showed durability, composure, and flashes of technique that proved he belongs among the heavyweight elite. Now sitting at 14–2 and ranked #6 in the division, the Dominican contender remains a dangerous force who needs a high-profile matchup to maintain momentum.

The perfect next opponent is Derrick Lewis, the UFC’s all-time knockout leader and a fellow top-10 heavyweight. Lewis is coming off back-to-back first-round knockout wins, including a 35-second finish of Tallison Teixeira, and remains one of the division’s most feared power punchers. Stylistically, this matchup has fireworks written all over it: Cortes-Acosta thrives on output, volume, and movement, while Lewis is the definition of a one-shot fight-ender.

This fight would be a classic striker’s duel, contrasting Lewis’ raw knockout power with Cortes-Acosta’s pressure boxing and leg kicks. For Cortes-Acosta, it’s the kind of marquee fight he needs to prove he can handle veteran knockout artists and stay inside the top 10. For Lewis, it’s a chance to derail a rising contender while continuing his late-career resurgence. Either way, it’s guaranteed entertainment and a matchup that makes perfect sense for the UFC’s heavyweight landscape.

Last Five Fights – Waldo Cortes-Acosta:

1. Loss to Sergei Pavlovich – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang (August 23, 2025)
2. Win over Serghei Spivac – Decision (unanimous), UFC 316 (June 7, 2025)
3. Win over Ryan Spann – KO (punches), UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2 (March 15, 2025)
4. Win over Robelis Despaigne – Decision (unanimous), UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento (May 11, 2024)
5. Win over Andrei Arlovski – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night: Ankalaev vs. Walker 2 (January 13, 2024)

Last Five Fights – Derrick Lewis:

1. Win over Tallison Teixeira – TKO (punches), UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Teixeira (July 12, 2025)
2. Win over Rodrigo Nascimento – TKO (punches), UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento (May 11, 2024)
3. Loss to Jailton Almeida – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis (November 4, 2023)
4. Win over Marcos Rogério de Lima – TKO (punches), UFC 291 (July 29, 2023)
5. Loss to Serghei Spivac – Submission (arm-triangle choke), UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac (February 4, 2023)