Cortes-Acosta Cites Dominican Roots, Refuses to Yield to Eye Poke, Secures Stunning UFC Vegas 110 Knockout

Waldo Cortes-Acosta ensured that the co-main event of UFC Vegas 110 would not join the recent list of contests marred by an unceremonious conclusion due to an accidental foul, demonstrating exceptional resilience to secure a dramatic knockout victory over Ante Delija despite suffering a significant eye poke. The heavyweight bout, held on Saturday, presented a stark contrast to the previous week’s UFC 321, where the highly anticipated championship fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane was ruled a no-contest after Aspinall was rendered unable to continue following an eye poke. Cortes-Acosta, instead, leveraged a deeply ingrained fighting spirit, explaining his decision to press forward through the adversity rather than accept a premature stoppage.

The pivotal moment of the fight occurred when Ante Delija, a training partner of the aforementioned Tom Aspinall, inadvertently poked Cortes-Acosta in the eye during a grappling exchange. What followed was a sequence of events that momentarily plunged the arena into confusion. Delija capitalized on Cortes-Acosta’s immediate distress, unleashing a flurry of punches against the fence. Referee Mark Smith initially appeared to be on the verge of stopping the fight, leading Delija and his corner to celebrate what they believed was a TKO victory. However, Smith did not wave off the contest definitively, instead initiating a review for the potential foul. Upon confirmation of the eye poke, Cortes-Acosta was offered the standard recovery time and the option to continue, a decision he unequivocally accepted, setting the stage for one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent UFC memory.

Addressing the media at the post-fight press conference, Cortes-Acosta elucidated the deeply personal motivation behind his decision to fight through the injury, articulating a philosophy rooted in his upbringing. "Look, it’s a different breed," Cortes-Acosta stated, his voice resonating with conviction. "I’m born in Dominican Republic. Everything is war over there. One poke in the eye, everything that happened in my life, this can’t stop me. I’ll never let one poke of the eye lose one opportunity that can change my life and my family’s." This statement underscored a profound determination, highlighting a mindset forged in challenging circumstances, where every opportunity is fiercely defended. For Cortes-Acosta, the fight was not merely a professional contest but a pathway to improving his life and that of his family, a goal he refused to see jeopardized by an accidental foul.

The controversial sequence unfolded rapidly, beginning with Delija’s celebratory actions. Cortes-Acosta recounted the scene: "The first one I see is the whole crowd outside and then him thinking he won the fight. Jumping, everything, the head coach jumping, [Delija] winning and everything like that." It was amidst this premature celebration that referee Mark Smith clarified his non-stoppage. "The referee and the commission saying, ‘I didn’t stop the fight. You have five minutes, like, recover for your eye’ and everything like that," Cortes-Acosta recalled. Despite the initial onslaught and the perceived TKO, Cortes-Acosta maintained his resolve. "I said, at one point, ‘I can fight like that.’ What happened with me is I see in that moment and that reminded me, a little bit, the hands still punching me… but him punching me, like, 11, 12 times, continuing on my head, pretending he can knock me out like that, it’s impossible. I have a break in my head right now. When we have a decision to continue fighting, I can’t let anybody stop me like that." His words painted a picture of a fighter clear-headed enough to assess the situation and confident in his ability to absorb damage and retaliate, even while compromised.

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While Cortes-Acosta’s resolve to continue was unwavering, the illegal maneuver by Delija did inflict genuine damage. Post-fight, Cortes-Acosta provided an update on his condition, acknowledging the severity of the injury. "The eye is bad right now," he confirmed. "I know I see, but I don’t see completely… it’s hurt." Further medical examinations conducted after the fight corroborated the extent of the damage. With the assistance of a Spanish translator, Cortes-Acosta elaborated on the doctor’s findings: "The doctor back here in the exams that were done afterwards, post-fight medical, said that there was some sort of streak here inside the eye as if his nail actually got into my eye and struck along the eyeline, but inside the eye. So you could see that that had been damaged." This medical assessment underscores the legitimate risk Cortes-Acosta took by continuing the fight, highlighting the profound determination required to overcome such an impairment.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta’s professional record now stands at 12 wins and 1 loss, with this victory marking his sixth win in his last seven fights. His recent performances have consistently showcased his power and evolving skill set within the demanding heavyweight division. Ante Delija, who holds a professional record of 24 wins and 6 losses, entered the contest on a two-fight winning streak, making Cortes-Acosta’s comeback even more significant given the momentum Delija carried into the octagon. Cortes-Acosta’s ability to not only recover but to then secure a brutal knockout victory immediately after a foul has undoubtedly bolstered his standing and reputation within the heavyweight ranks, demonstrating both his physical toughness and mental fortitude.

Despite the injury, Cortes-Acosta has wasted no time in articulating his ambitions for the immediate future. Medical professionals have provided an optimistic recovery timeline, with Cortes-Acosta relaying their assessment: "In seven days, [the doctor] says I’ll be ready to come back." Eager to capitalize on his momentum, he expressed a strong desire to return to action before the end of the year. "I’m ready for the fighting, this December, and UFC put me on the card, any card I can do it," he affirmed. Looking ahead, Cortes-Acosta outlined a clear path towards a championship opportunity, targeting a significant opponent first. "I want to fight with Curtis Blaydes and I want a title shot," he declared, setting his sights on the highly ranked heavyweight. Furthermore, he indicated his readiness to challenge for the ultimate prize, stating, "I want [Aspinall and Gane] to rematch and [I’ll] be available for the winner and a title shot."

The current landscape of the UFC heavyweight division is in flux following the no-contest between interim champion Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane at UFC 321. That incident left the immediate future of the division’s top contenders uncertain. Cortes-Acosta’s victory, particularly its dramatic nature, injects fresh narrative and a compelling challenger into the mix. By calling out Curtis Blaydes, currently ranked No. 4 in the heavyweight division, Cortes-Acosta is seeking to directly challenge one of the division’s elite wrestlers and grapplers, a move that, if successful, would undoubtedly propel him into title contention. His outspoken ambition and demonstrated resilience have firmly placed him as a fighter to watch, underscoring his belief that his unique "breed" of fighter is ready to ascend to the pinnacle of the sport. His refusal to be deterred by a severe eye injury has not only secured him a memorable victory but has also sent a clear message to the rest of the heavyweight roster regarding his unwavering resolve and championship aspirations.