Heavyweight Waldo Cortes Acosta Who Faced Eye Poke Mercilessly Shames Tom Aspinall for Quitting 

Heavyweight contender Waldo Cortes Acosta calls out champion Tom Aspinall for discontinuing due to a double eye poke at UFC 321.

Heavyweight Waldo Cortes Acosta Who Faced Eye Poke Mercilessly Shames Tom Aspinall for Quitting 

Waldo Cortes Acosta calls out Tom Aspinall (via BBC , NewsBreak)

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The UFC 321 main event between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane has remained one of the sport’s most talked-about moments following its controversial no-contest. Since that incident, Aspinall has found himself at the center of scrutiny from fighters and fans alike, as debates over his legitimacy as champion continue to swirl. The latest voice to join that conversation is rising heavyweight Waldo Cortes Acosta.

Cortes Acosta returned to action against Ante Delija in a heavyweight bout that delivered both drama and firepower. Early in the fight, Delija accidentally poked his opponent in the eye, briefly halting the contest. After the fight was resumed, the Dominican powerhouse showed no signs of hesitation, rallying back to deliver a stunning first-round knockout, which showcased his exceptional knockout power.

Delija, notably, is a close teammate of Aspinall, having trained alongside the British heavyweight at Team Kaobon in the past. Aspinall has previously expressed his intention to vacate the heavyweight belt if Delija were ever to reach title contention, emphasizing their mutual respect. That connection added intrigue to Cortes Acosta’s post-fight remarks, as he turned his attention toward Aspinall himself.

My eye was like 20% vision but I said I don’t give a ****. Aspinall you see that fight, I’m coming for you … be ready okay.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta via UFC

Following the bout, Cortes Acosta made another subtle move that caught the MMA community’s attention. He changed his Instagram profile picture to an image of himself wearing an eye patch, a playful nod to the British champion’s Halloween costume, in which Aspinall had dressed as a pirate. The timing and symbolism of the gesture hinted at a calculated callout aimed at a potential title shot.

Cortes Acosta has steadily built his resume in the UFC with a series of impressive victories. His recent run includes wins over fighters such as Serghei Spivac, Ryan Spann, and Robelis Despaigne, showcasing his steady rise through the heavyweight ranks. Known for his durability and heavy hands, the Dominican contender has quickly emerged as one of the division’s most consistent fighters.

As the heavyweight landscape continues to evolve, Waldo Cortes Acosta’s callout of Tom Aspinall adds another layer of intrigue to the division. With his confidence and willingness to engage in high-stakes matchups, he has placed himself firmly on the radar for a potential interim title shot. Whether the UFC entertains the matchup or not, his challenge underscored the growing competition at heavyweight.

Ante Delija debates his loss against Waldo Cortes Acosta

Once considered a rising prospect in the UFC heavyweight division, Ante Delija entered UFC Vegas 110 looking to continue his upward trajectory. Known for his composed fighting style and technical power, the Croatian contender had been viewed as a potential future threat within the rankings. However, the Waldo Cortes Acosta loss will undoubtedly halt his momentum.

Waldo Cortes Acosta vs Ante Delija
Waldo Cortes Acosta vs Ante Delija (via Yahoo Sports)

Delija, a former PFL heavyweight champion, has compiled victories over notable opponents, including Matheus Scheffel, Bruno Cappelozza, and Denis Goltsov, outside the UFC, as well as wins over top European heavyweights in the past. Following the disputed result at UFC Vegas 110, Delija publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with how the foul situation was handled.

I ask for nothing more, just honesty. I don’t run from defeat, I respect every opponent and every outcome. But not when rules are broken and I’m robbed. Not in this way. The sport hasn’t seen this yet!!!

Ante Delija via Instagram

The setback mirrors the unpredictable nature of heavyweight competition, where momentum can shift quickly due to injury or officiating calls. Both Ante Delija and Tom Aspinall have recently faced unexpected obstacles that disrupted their progress at critical moments in their careers. The Waldo Cortes Acosta loss halted Delija’s upward rise, and the Ciryl Gane no-contest denied Aspinall’s undisputed status.

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