Ali Akbar Rosady
Doha, Qatar – In a dramatic turn of events just three days before the highly anticipated UFC Qatar card, heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta has agreed to step in on extremely short notice to face Shamil Gaziev. The urgent replacement comes after Serghei Spivac, Gaziev’s original opponent, was forced to withdraw from the scheduled clash, saving a significant matchup for the promotion’s debut event in the Gulf nation.
The unexpected alteration was confirmed by sources with knowledge of the promotion’s plans, following an initial report by ESPN Deportes. Shamil Gaziev himself later corroborated the news via his social media channels, expressing a mix of gratitude for Cortes-Acosta’s willingness and a firm declaration of intent for the upcoming fight. The event is slated for Saturday at the state-of-the-art Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Doha, with a lightweight main event featuring Arman Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. The specific reasons behind Serghei Spivac’s eleventh-hour withdrawal remain undisclosed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) at this time, leaving an element of mystery surrounding the change.
Cortes-Acosta’s Audacious Acceptance
Waldo "Salsa Boy" Cortes-Acosta (15-2 professional mixed martial arts record, 4-1 UFC) embodies the "anytime, anywhere" ethos often lauded within combat sports. His decision to accept a heavyweight contest with merely three days’ preparation highlights a profound confidence and readiness. Cortes-Acosta, a formidable striker with a professional boxing background, enters this bout on the heels of a dominant performance earlier this month, where he secured a first-round knockout victory over Ante Delija. This impressive finish marked a strong rebound from his prior decision loss to top-ranked contender Sergei Pavlovich, demonstrating his resilience and continuous improvement within the sport’s most unforgiving division.
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For Cortes-Acosta, a native of the Dominican Republic who trains out of Phoenix, Arizona, this will mark his fifth appearance inside the Octagon in the current calendar year, a testament to his active schedule and desire to climb the heavyweight ranks. The rapid turnaround from his last fight, coupled with the immediate requirement to travel across continents from Phoenix to Doha, presents a monumental challenge. His team confirmed to MMA Fighting that he commenced his journey to Qatar just hours after formally accepting the bout on Wednesday, navigating the rigorous logistical hurdles of international travel and a severe weight cut in an astonishingly compressed timeframe. His professional record under the UFC banner now stands at 4 wins and 1 loss, with notable victories over opponents such as Jared Vanderaa, Chase Sherman, Lukasz Brzeski, and Ante Delija. His social media post encapsulated his mindset: "Anytime, anywhere, against anybody. Just to prove I’m one of the best and I’m always ready. See you Saturday in Qatar." This statement not only underlines his immediate readiness but also signals his ambition to establish himself among the elite in the heavyweight division.
Gaziev’s Persistent Pursuit of a Bout
Shamil "The Pirate" Gaziev (14-1 professional mixed martial arts record, 3-1 UFC) has experienced an unusual series of setbacks in securing an opponent for this event. Prior to Cortes-Acosta’s intervention, Gaziev had been scheduled to face Serghei Spivac on three separate occasions throughout 2025, with each attempt ultimately failing to materialize. This string of cancellations had undoubtedly built a sense of anticipation and perhaps frustration for the Bahraini fighter, who is keen to maintain his momentum in the heavyweight division.
Gaziev’s last foray into the Octagon was a decisive first-round knockout victory over Thomas Petersen in February, a performance that underscored his heavy hands and potent finishing ability. This win improved his UFC record to 3 wins and 1 loss, with two of those victories coming by way of stoppage. Known for his powerful wrestling and ground-and-pound, Gaziev presents a stark stylistic contrast to the predominantly striking-focused Cortes-Acosta, promising an intriguing clash of disciplines. Gaziev’s response to the opponent change was direct and territorial, stating on X (formerly Twitter): "Respect to the pirate for stepping on board, but the Gulf is my territory, and it’s going to be very tough for your ship to row here." This declaration not only acknowledges Cortes-Acosta’s bravery but also stakes a strong claim to home advantage and a fierce determination to defend it.
The Heavyweight Landscape and Implications
The UFC Heavyweight division is notoriously volatile, characterized by its propensity for sudden, fight-ending finishes. With the current landscape featuring reigning champion Jon Jones, interim champion Tom Aspinall, and a host of dangerous contenders like Ciryl Gane and Sergei Pavlovich, every fight carries significant weight. For both Cortes-Acosta and Gaziev, this bout serves as a critical opportunity to advance their standing. A victory for Cortes-Acosta, particularly on such short notice, would significantly bolster his resume and could propel him towards a ranked opponent in his next outing. It would showcase his ability to perform under extreme pressure and highlight his potential as a future contender. Conversely, a win for Gaziev, especially against a fighter who has demonstrated such willingness and activity, would solidify his position as a formidable force in the division and potentially lead to a higher-profile matchup.
Serghei "Polar Bear" Spivac, currently ranked among the top heavyweights in the UFC (holding the #9 spot as of recent rankings), will face uncertainty following his withdrawal. While the specific reason for his pullout remains undisclosed, common causes range from injury and illness to visa complications or other unforeseen circumstances. Such a late withdrawal can disrupt a fighter’s training cycle and momentum, potentially delaying their return to competition and impacting their standing in the competitive division. Spivac’s last fight saw him suffer a TKO loss to Ciryl Gane, making his return to action highly anticipated before this latest setback.
The Rigors of a Short-Notice Fight
Taking a professional mixed martial arts fight on three days’ notice in the heavyweight division is an extraordinary feat of physical and mental fortitude. Fighters typically undergo extensive eight-to-twelve-week training camps, meticulously crafting game plans tailored to their specific opponent, managing weight, and peaking physically for fight night. Cortes-Acosta’s situation demands an immediate shift from general fitness to fight-specific readiness, bypassing crucial stages of preparation.
The logistical challenges alone are immense. Flying halfway across the world involves significant jet lag, which can severely impact performance and recovery. Furthermore, making the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds (or 266 for non-title fights) on such short notice is a dangerous undertaking, requiring a rapid and often dehydrating weight cut that can sap strength and endurance. Medical clearances, mandatory pre-fight tests, and media obligations must also be completed within this compressed timeline. Cortes-Acosta’s willingness to navigate these obstacles underscores a rare level of dedication and professionalism, earning him respect from fans and peers alike.
UFC Qatar: A Landmark Event
The UFC Qatar event itself represents a significant milestone in the promotion’s ongoing global expansion, particularly within the strategically important Middle Eastern market. The Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena provides a world-class venue for a card packed with compelling matchups. While the heavyweight clash between Cortes-Acosta and Gaziev has taken on an unexpected narrative, the overall event is headlined by a pivotal lightweight showdown between the #3 ranked Arman Tsarukyan and the #6 ranked Dan Hooker. This five-round main event carries significant implications for the lightweight title picture, adding another layer of excitement to the evening. The UFC’s commitment to delivering high-caliber events in new territories continues to be a cornerstone of its business model, and the last-minute heroics of fighters like Waldo Cortes-Acosta are often what make these events truly memorable.
As Saturday approaches, all eyes will be on Doha to witness whether Cortes-Acosta’s audacious gamble pays off, or if Gaziev will successfully defend his "territory" against the unyielding spirit of the short-notice challenger. The revamped heavyweight bout is now poised to be one of the most compelling narratives of UFC Qatar, a testament to the unpredictable and thrilling nature of mixed martial arts.
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