This is the UFC 328 live blog for Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, the main card heavyweight bout Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Volkov is currently No. 4 at heavyweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings and the pressure is on for him to defend his spot against the No. 6-ranked Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
In Volkov’s past two fights he’s had to go to the judges and each time it was a split call, with Volkov (39-11) beating Jailton Almeida in his most recent outing following a loss to Ciryl Gane. The Russian veteran has won five of his past six fights and owns 24 career knockouts, though he has not finished a fight since September 2023.
Cortes-Acosta (17-2) has reminded everyone that the best ability is availability, having fought six times in the past 14 months and compiling a 5-1 record during that stretch. “Salsa Boy” has scored consecutive knockouts over Derrick Lewis, Shamil Gaziev, and Ante Delija, and hopes knocking off another established contender will keep him on the fast track to a title shot.
Check out the UFC 328 live blog for Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta below.
The UFC 328 finishing streak was snapped in the Brady vs. Buckley fight minutes ago, but those who see beauty in one-sided grappling beatings definitely enjoyed that 15-minute scrap.
And now we to go the heavyweight division for a clash between two top-level talents.
WAC walks to the cage in Newark with the Dominican Republic flag over his shoulders. He’s looked great since the Pavlovich loss, scoring three knockouts in a row. Can he get the No. 4 against Volkov?
Russia’s Volkov is on his way to the octagon now, also carrying his home country’s flag to the cage. The former Bellator champion wasn’t happy with UFC’s decision to book Gane vs. Pereira for the interim title and vows to put his name in the mix with a win tonight.
The two heavyweights are ready to go, and referee Mike Beltran starts the action. The Paramount+ stream freezes as the fight starts. Not cool, guys. Ok, we’re back to see Volkov and WAC trade leg kicks early on. Volkov with a couple more kicks now, leg and body. And another one to the leg. (Volkov is a very tall human being.) Waldo chants in Newark! Volkov with another leg kick and WAC finally responds, firing a combination of punches but not all find the target. And more kicks for Volkov. WAC chasing Volkov around the octagon but can’t actually connect his strikes. A jab finally lands for WAC, and he tries to catch a kick thrown by Volkov. And WAC lands a left hook and right hand now! Volkov with a good body kick now, but WAC fires back with a left to the head. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Volkov.
Round two is underway and Volkov opens with a kick to the body. Stream freezes for a second again. WAC with a jab to the body from a mile away. WAC connects a big right hand as Volkov throws a left kick to the leg. Volkov’s head kick, as well as WAC’s right hand, miss. Volkov with a good combination of punches now, but nothing major. Half round left and they’re unable to do something huge. WAC apparently having a hard time closing the distance to a better range. WAC seems annoyed, but Volkov hurts him with a left! WAC invites Volkov to come in and attack! WAC recovers, and again they’re in the center of the cage scoring points. Volkov spends the last minute of the round throwing kicks to the body and leg while WAC can’t do anything in response. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Volkov.
WAC’s cornerman tell him it’s 19-19 going into the third. “It’s kill or die,” they say in Spanish.
Volkov complains of an eye poke early in round three and WAC complains. He needs a second and fight resumes. WAC is back aggressive now and Volkov is bleeding! Volkov fires back with good jab, and now kicks to the leg and body. Volkov circling to the right and eats two punches, and his nose is bleeding more. WAC with an uppercut. Volkov continues with the leg kicks, and they clinch after WAC fails a takedown attempt. They’re back to the center of the octagon now and WAC with a good right hand over the top. And a jab now! Volkov’s jab rocks WAC’s head back. Volkov with a good calf kick. WAC needs a miracle now. And he lands a right hand! Volkov retreats, and WAC misses two monster right hands before time runs out. MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 WAC.
Alexander Volkov def. Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Crowd boos the decision, or maybe the fight overall. Volkov isn’t happy with the boos. He calls WAC a “tough motherf*cker” and understands the fans wanting a finish,
Volkov says he was robbed by the judges in the Ciryl Gane rematch, adds that Alex Pereira isn’t a real heavyweight, and calls for a shot at the belt against either one of the two or Tom Aspinall, the injured UFC champion.
