UFC Fight Night 265: Cortes-Acosta vs. Gaziev features two rising heavyweight contenders in a matchup built around power, pressure, and sharp boxing. Dominican striker Waldo Cortes-Acosta meets Bahraini finisher Shamil Gaziev in a fight that could shape the next wave of heavyweight rankings.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Waldo Cortes-Acosta (15-2, 1 NC) has built his reputation on crisp boxing, athletic movement, and exceptional durability. Ranked sixth in the division, he holds wins over names like Andrei Arlovski, Serghei Spivac, and Ryan Spann. His recent knockout of Ante Delija earned him Performance of the Night, showcasing his ability to maintain pressure across rounds. Although he dropped competitive decisions to Sergei Pavlovich and Marcos Rogério de Lima, Cortes-Acosta has reasserted himself with improved pacing and sharp counterpunching.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta – Last 5 Fights:
* Win vs. Ante Delija – KO (Punches), UFC Fight Night: Garcia vs. Onama, Nov 1, 2025
* Loss vs. Sergei Pavlovich – Decision (Unanimous), UFC Fight Night: Walker vs. Zhang, Aug 23, 2025
* Win vs. Serghei Spivac – Decision (Unanimous), UFC 316, Jun 7, 2025
* Win vs. Ryan Spann – KO (Punches), UFC Fight Night: Vettori vs. Dolidze 2, Mar 15, 2025
* Win vs. Robelis Despaigne – Decision (Unanimous), UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento, May 11, 2024
Keys: Cortes-Acosta is most effective when he controls range with his jab and manages tempo. Staying mobile, keeping exchanges clean, and avoiding prolonged firefights should allow him to capitalize on his speed advantage.
Shamil Gaziev
Shamil Gaziev (14-1), ranked eleventh, is Bahrain’s top rising heavyweight. Known for explosive openings and a high finishing rate, Gaziev has nine knockouts and three submissions. His only loss came after a grueling main event against Jairzinho Rozenstruik, but he responded with solid wins over Don’Tale Mayes and Thomas Petersen, showing improved wrestling and endurance. Gaziev thrives when he forces early chaos and overwhelms opponents with pressure.
Shamil Gaziev – Last 5 Fights:
* Win vs. Thomas Petersen – TKO (Punch), UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Imavov, Feb 1, 2025
* Win vs. Don’Tale Mayes – Decision (Unanimous), UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Aug 3, 2024
* Loss vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik – TKO (Retirement), UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev, Mar 2, 2024
* Win vs. Martin Buday – TKO (Punches), UFC 296, Dec 16, 2023
* Win vs. Greg Velasco – Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Dana White’s Contender Series 63, Sep 19, 2023
Keys: Gaziev’s best approach is to walk Cortes-Acosta down, cut off angles, and force heavy exchanges. If he can trap him along the fence or drag the fight to the ground, his power and ground-and-pound become major threats.
Fight Breakdown
This matchup blends volume striking and footwork from Cortes-Acosta with aggressive pressure and fight-ending power from Gaziev. Early exchanges will be volatile. If Cortes-Acosta sets a steady rhythm and survives the initial onslaught, his boxing combinations and cardio give him a strong late-fight advantage. Gaziev, however, can shift momentum instantly with a single clean shot or a strong sequence along the fence.
Prediction
Expect Gaziev to start fast and Cortes-Acosta to stabilize the fight behind his jab. If Cortes-Acosta avoids the early threat window, his pace and accuracy should carry him to the finish line.
Prediction: Waldo Cortes-Acosta defeats Shamil Gaziev by Unanimous Decision
A win elevates Cortes-Acosta into the title conversation. A Gaziev upset reaffirms him as one of the division’s most dangerous early-round finishers.