Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Curtis Blaydes expected for Noche UFC 4 matchup
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 7, 2026, 9:30 PM
Last updated Jul 7, 2026
Heavyweight contenders Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes are expected to fight on September 19 at Noche UFC 4, with the location not yet determined. Cortes-Acosta, who holds a record of 17-3, recently lost a decision to Alexander Volkov, ending a three-fight win streak. Blaydes, ranked No. 8, has also struggled, losing four of his last six bouts including a recent decision loss to Josh Hokit at UFC 327. Both fighters are looking to rebound from recent defeats and reposition themselves in the heavyweight rankings.
- •Cortes-Acosta holds a 17-3 record, Blaydes is 19-6, 1 NC.
- •The bout is set for September 19 at Noche UFC 4.
- •Cortes-Acosta is coming off a loss to Alexander Volkov.
- •Blaydes lost to Josh Hokit in a Fight of the Night encounter.
- •Both contenders seek to recover from recent defeats.
- 9:30 PMYahoo Sports — Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes in the works for Noche UFC 4
- 9:30 PMMMA Fighting — Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes in the works for Noche UFC 4
- 9:09 PMYahoo Sports — Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes in the works for fall UFC showdown
"NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: Waldo Cortes Acosta of the Dominican Republic poses on the scale during the UFC 328 ceremonial weigh-in at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) Heavyweight contenders Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes are expected to face off soon. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Damon Martin confirmed with sources with knowledge of the matchup that Cortes-Acosta (17-3) vs. Blaydes (19-6, 1 NC) is in the works for Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 19, with a location still to be determined. The bout was first reported by MMA Junkie. The No. 7-ranked Cortes-Acosta had a memorable 2025 campaign, winning his first two fights before losing a decision to Sergei Pavlovich in May of last year. He bounced back quickly with three consecutive wins, including a pair of victories in November over Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev, and capped off his campaign with a second-round knockout over Derrick Lewis. Unfortunately for Cortes-Acosta, he was unable to continue his success in his first fight of 2026, losing a decision to Alexander Volkov at UFC 328. Blaydes (No. 8) has been unable to string together wins in recent years having lost three of his past five fights. In his most recent outing at UFC 327, Blaydes lost a decision to Josh Hokit in a thrilling three-round brawl that earned both men a $100,000 bonus for winning the Fight of the Night award.
"A heavyweight contender bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes is in the works.
"Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes meet in key heavyweight clash
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 7, 2026, 9:30 PMWaldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes in the works for Noche UFC 4
Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes meet in key heavyweight clash
- MMA FightingJul 7, 2026, 9:30 PMWaldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes in the works for Noche UFC 4
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - MAY 08: Waldo Cortes Acosta of the Dominican Republic poses on the scale during the UFC 328 ceremonial weigh-in at Prudential Center on May 08, 2026 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Zuffa LLC) Heavyweight contenders Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes are expected to face off soon. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Damon Martin confirmed with sources with knowledge of the matchup that Cortes-Acosta (17-3) vs. Blaydes (19-6, 1 NC) is in the works for Noche UFC 4 on Sept. 19, with a location still to be determined. The bout was first reported by MMA Junkie. The No. 7-ranked Cortes-Acosta had a memorable 2025 campaign, winning his first two fights before losing a decision to Sergei Pavlovich in May of last year. He bounced back quickly with three consecutive wins, including a pair of victories in November over Ante Delija and Shamil Gaziev, and capped off his campaign with a second-round knockout over Derrick Lewis. Unfortunately for Cortes-Acosta, he was unable to continue his success in his first fight of 2026, losing a decision to Alexander Volkov at UFC 328. Blaydes (No. 8) has been unable to string together wins in recent years having lost three of his past five fights. In his most recent outing at UFC 327, Blaydes lost a decision to Josh Hokit in a thrilling three-round brawl that earned both men a $100,000 bonus for winning the Fight of the Night award.
- Yahoo SportsJul 7, 2026, 9:09 PMWaldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Curtis Blaydes in the works for fall UFC showdown
A heavyweight contender bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Curtis Blaydes is in the works.
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