The UFC 316 preliminary card features a pivotal heavyweight showdown between #7-ranked contender Serghei Spivac and rising #11-ranked Waldo Cortes-Acosta. With both men eyeing a fast track toward the top five, this fight could determine who takes a major step closer to title contention.

Serghei Spivac: Submission Specialist with Top-10 Credentials

Moldova’s Serghei Spivac (17–5) has quietly established himself as one of the most dangerous grapplers in the UFC’s heavyweight division. Known as “The Polar Bear,” Spivac boasts eight submission victories in his pro career and a well-rounded game that blends power striking with suffocating top control.

Spivac’s recent form has been a mixed bag. After a dominant submission win over Marcin Tybura in their 2024 rematch, Spivac was finished by Jailton Almeida in his last outing at UFC 311. Despite that setback, he remains a top contender thanks to past wins over Derrick Lewis, Augusto Sakai, and Greg Hardy, all of which showcased his ability to impose his will early.

His approach centers on chaining clinch entries into takedowns and working toward dominant positions. Once on the mat, he excels at punishing ground-and-pound and opportunistic submissions, particularly the arm-triangle choke.

Serghei Spivac – Last 5 Fights:

1. Loss vs. Jailton Almeida – TKO (Punches) (UFC 311, Jan 18, 2025)
2. Win vs. Marcin Tybura – Submission (Armbar) (UFC on ESPN, Aug 10, 2024)
3. Loss vs. Ciryl Gane – TKO (Punches) (UFC Fight Night, Sep 2, 2023)
4. Win vs. Derrick Lewis – Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) (UFC Fight Night, Feb 4, 2023)
5. Win vs. Augusto Sakai – TKO (Punches) (UFC on ESPN, Aug 6, 2022)

Waldo Cortes-Acosta: The Dominican Destroyer on the Rise

Undefeated in the UFC save for a decision loss to Marcos Rogério de Lima, Waldo Cortes-Acosta (13–1) enters UFC 316 riding a four-fight win streak. A former LFA heavyweight champion and Dana White’s Contender Series alum, the Dominican heavyweight has demonstrated exceptional boxing fundamentals, durability, and a surprising ability to go the distance for a big man.

Cortes-Acosta’s most recent win—a devastating second-round KO over Ryan Spann—cemented his reputation as a power puncher with patience and precision. Prior to that, he turned away rising powerhouse Robelis Despaigne and dominated Andrei Arlovski with clean, technical striking.

He’s shown strong takedown defense so far in his UFC run but will face his toughest wrestling test to date in Spivac. If he can keep the fight standing, his jab-cross combinations and heavy hands could trouble the Moldovan from range.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta – Last 5 Fights:

1. Win vs. Ryan Spann – KO (Punches) (UFC Fight Night, Mar 15, 2025)
2. Win vs. Robelis Despaigne – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC on ESPN, May 11, 2024)
3. Win vs. Andrei Arlovski – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC Fight Night, Jan 13, 2024)
4. Win vs. Łukasz Brzeski – KO (Punches) (UFC Fight Night, Aug 26, 2023)
5. Loss vs. Marcos Rogério de Lima – Decision (Unanimous) (UFC on ESPN, Apr 29, 2023)

Prediction:

This fight is a classic striker-vs-grappler showdown. Spivac’s path to victory is clear: close the distance, initiate takedowns, and dominate on the ground. However, if he struggles to get Cortes-Acosta to the mat, he risks being outboxed and potentially knocked out.

Cortes-Acosta will look to use footwork and crisp boxing to frustrate Spivac’s entries, and if he can avoid being grounded in the first round, the momentum may swing heavily in his favor.

With Spivac coming off a tough TKO loss and Cortes-Acosta building momentum, this could be a breakout moment for the Dominican.

Prediction:
Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Serghei Spivac via TKO (Round 2)