TLDR
- Curtis Blaydes and Waldo Cortes-Acosta meet at UFC Noche 4 on September 12 in Glendale, Arizona
- Blaydes enters on a two-fight losing streak, while Cortes-Acosta lost his last bout to Alexander Volkov
- Cortes-Acosta is favored at -200 to -218 odds, with Blaydes listed as the underdog at +154 to +180
- Cortes-Acosta knocked out Derrick Lewis in January but lost to Volkov in May by decision
- Blaydes, 35, has scored only four takedowns in his last seven fights after previously being the all-time heavyweight takedown leader
Sources: mmamania.com | clutchpoints.com
Two top heavyweight contenders will meet at UFC Noche 4 on September 12, 2026, as Waldo Cortes-Acosta faces Curtis Blaydes at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. Both fighters are looking to rebound from recent losses and get back into the title picture.
Cortes-Acosta enters the fight as the betting favorite, with odds ranging from -200 to -218 depending on the sportsbook. Blaydes is listed as the underdog at +154 to +180.
The Dominican fighter known as “Salsa Boy” is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Alexander Volkov in May 2026 at UFC 328 in Newark, New Jersey. That setback came after an impressive second-round TKO victory over Derrick Lewis in January at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
Cortes-Acosta holds a professional record of 17-3 and is currently ranked No. 7 in the heavyweight division. Nine of his 17 career wins have come by knockout.
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Blaydes Struggling With Recent Form
Blaydes is facing a critical moment in his career as he looks to stop a two-fight losing streak. The 35-year-old wrestler lost a decision to Josh Hokit in April 2026 at UFC 327 in Miami, a defeat that raised questions about his durability and finishing ability.
Before that loss, Blaydes earned a split decision win over Rizvan Kuniev in June 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. His current professional record stands at 19-6 with 13 knockout wins.
Blaydes has scored only four takedowns in his last seven fights, a sharp decline from his earlier career performances. He previously took down Alexander Volkov 14 times in one fight and Alistair Overeem four times, establishing himself as the all-time UFC heavyweight takedown leader.
Contrasting Styles Set Up Intriguing Matchup
The fight presents a classic striker versus wrestler matchup. Cortes-Acosta is primarily a boxer who relies on his jab and counter right hand, and he can maintain a strong pace for three full rounds.
Blaydes built his reputation as a collegiate wrestler who used non-stop takedowns and mat returns to exhaust opponents before finishing them with ground-and-pound elbows. However, he has been striking more frequently in recent years with mixed results.
Cortes-Acosta stands 6’4″ tall and has shown improved boxing technique and head movement. His durability was tested in his decision loss to Volkov, where he went the full distance despite taking damage.
Blaydes holds a reach advantage over Cortes-Acosta and still possesses a powerful jab of his own. However, analysts have noted he appears visibly slower in recent fights compared to his performances from several years ago.
Both fighters have suffered knee injuries during their careers, and Blaydes has absorbed considerable damage in recent bouts against top-level competition. Despite being only 35 years old, there are concerns about whether the physical toll of wrestling at heavyweight is catching up to him.
The winner of this matchup will position themselves back among the elite contenders in the heavyweight division. The loser faces the possibility of sliding further down the rankings in one of the UFC’s most competitive weight classes.
