Derrick Lewis vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta: -325 (BetMGM) / -330 (FanDuel)
- Derrick Lewis: +260 (BetMGM) / +240 (FanDuel)
- Over 1.5 rounds: -150 (BetMGM) / -134 (FanDuel)
- Under 1.5 rounds: +115 (BetMGM) / +106 (FanDuel)
- Fight Goes Distance: +210 (FanDuel)
- Fight Doesn’t Go Distance: -280 (FanDuel)
Method of Victory Odds:
- Cortes-Acosta by KO/TKO: -105 (FanDuel)
- Cortes-Acosta by Decision: +300 (FanDuel)
- Lewis by KO/TKO: +360 (FanDuel)
- Lewis by Decision: +1200 (BetMGM)
Fight Time: Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Main Card: 9:00 p.m. ET
- Main Event Walk Time: ~10:00 p.m. ET
- 6:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 3:00 a.m. GMT (Sunday)
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada TV/Streaming: Paramount+
TLDR
- Derrick Lewis holds UFC record with 16 career knockouts and enters at +260 underdog against rising contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta
- Cortes-Acosta is -325 favorite after five fights in 2025, riding back-to-back first-round knockouts over Shamil Gaziev and Ante Delija
- Lewis stopped his last two opponents in combined 1 minute 14 seconds but is now 40 years old
- Both fighters combine for 28 career knockouts with fight doesn’t go distance at -280
- Cortes-Acosta is ranked #5 heavyweight while Lewis is ranked #8 in crucial divisional matchup
UFC 324 Lewis vs Cortes-Acosta Betting Preview
Waldo Cortes-Acosta enters UFC 324 as the busiest fighter in the heavyweight division. The 34-year-old Dominican has fought five times in 2025 alone. He brings a 16-2 record into this main card bout against veteran knockout artist Derrick Lewis.
Lewis holds the all-time UFC record with 16 career knockouts. The 40-year-old enters with a 29-12 record. He has logged just 35 seconds of cage time in the past 20 months across two first-round finishes.
Cortes-Acosta stopped Shamil Gaziev with a right hook in round one of his last fight. Before that, he knocked out Ante Delija in the first round as well. The wins earned him back-to-back performance bonuses and moved him to #5 in the heavyweight rankings.
Lewis most recently stopped Tallison Teixeira in 35 seconds with a left hook. Before that, he knocked out Rodrigo Nascimento in the first round. Lewis claims he’s in the best shape of his career thanks to changes in his diet and training camp.
The matchup features contrasting styles between the two heavyweights. Cortes-Acosta lands 5.55 strikes per minute compared to Lewis’s 2.51. He throws with higher volume and has developed his power recently after previously being known as a low-damage striker.
Lewis comes with a simple game plan focused on landing heavy right hands. His defensive grappling relies on explosiveness and strength rather than technique. Neither fighter is expected to pursue wrestling in this bout.
Physical Advantages and Fight Metrics
Cortes-Acosta stands 6-foot-4 with a 78-inch reach. Lewis measures 6-foot-3 with a 79-inch reach. Both fighters weigh in around 260 pounds and use an orthodox stance.
The striking statistics favor Cortes-Acosta in several areas. He lands with 48% accuracy and absorbs 3.53 strikes per minute. Lewis lands at 50% accuracy but absorbs just 2.49 strikes per minute due to lower overall output.
Cortes-Acosta has never been finished in his professional career. His chin has held up against knockout artists like Robelis Despaigne and Ryan Spann. Lewis has been submitted twice in recent years by Marcos Rogerio de Lima and Sergei Pavlovich.
The age gap of six years heavily favors the younger fighter. Lewis has accumulated damage over an 11-fight UFC career spanning back to 2014. Cortes-Acosta has competed in 11 UFC fights since joining the promotion in 2022.
Keys to Victory for Each Fighter
Cortes-Acosta needs to press forward with volume early in the fight. His superior cardio should wear down Lewis over time. He must avoid getting hit clean in exchanges while closing distance carefully.
Lewis needs to be patient and measured with his power shots. His long reach allows him to swing over the top of opponents. He has shown recent willingness to threaten level changes and has worked on his jiu jitsu.
Cortes-Acosta’s calf kicks could limit Lewis’s movement and power if the fight extends. Lewis’s best counter to leg kicks is his right hand. One careless defensive moment could provide the perfect knockout opportunity for Lewis.
The betting lines reflect Cortes-Acosta as the clear favorite at -325. Lewis offers value as an underdog at +260 given his one-punch knockout power. The under 1.5 rounds at +115 provides value considering both fighters’ recent finishing rates.
Lewis’s last five fights averaged just 2.2 rounds total. Cortes-Acosta’s last three wins came in rounds one, one, and two respectively. The fight doesn’t go distance prop sits at -280 with an implied probability of 73.7%.
Cortes-Acosta by KO/TKO is available at -105 as the most likely method of victory. His activity levels should create opportunities for a finish as Lewis slows. Lewis by KO/TKO at +360 represents his most realistic path to victory given his finishing history.
The 40-year-old Lewis has logged infrequent bookings over recent years which may have preserved his health. However, Cortes-Acosta’s busy 2025 schedule raises questions about accumulated wear from six training camps in ten months. This represents Cortes-Acosta’s first fight against a top-ten ranked opponent while Lewis looks to prove he still belongs among division elites.
