The UFC’s debut event in Qatar nearly suffered a big blow this week when top-ranked heavyweight Serghei Spivac withdrew from his scheduled matchup against Shamil Gaziev just three days before the cardboard was set to happen. Nevertheless, the promotion quickly found an answer in the shape of Waldo Cortes-Acosta, the No. 6-ranked heavyweight contender, who accepted the short-notice opportunity to maintain the most important card intact.
Cortes-Acosta’s acceptance of this late-notice fight is nothing wanting remarkable, especially considering his recent circumstances. Lower than three weeks ago, the Dominican-American knockout artist scored a devastating first-round KO victory over Ante Delija at UFC Fight Night 263, but not before suffering a big eye poke that temporarily hindered his vision through the contest. Despite the injury concerns that typically would sideline a fighter, Cortes-Acosta has recovered sufficiently to just accept what will likely be his fifth UFC bout in 2025 alone.
This decision speaks volumes concerning the character and work ethic of “Salsa Boy,” who has established himself as one of the vital energetic and willing competitors within the heavyweight division. With a formidable 8-2 record within the UFC and a 3-1 mark this 12 months heading into this matchup, Cortes-Acosta continues to prove he belongs among the many division’s elite. Gaziev, meanwhile, represents a big test for the rising heavyweight, because the 35-year-old Bahraini fighter sits at 3-1 within the UFC and earned his No. 11 rating after a dominant first-round TKO victory over Thomas Peterson earlier this 12 months.
The Cortes-Acosta versus Gaziev matchup now anchors the most important card for UFC Fight Night 265, making it one of the vital compelling heavyweight collisions on the cardboard. Cortes-Acosta’s willingness to travel nearly halfway around the globe on extremely short notice to represent the promotion demonstrates the professionalism and dedication that has made him a fan favorite and a significant a part of the heavyweight landscape heading into the ultimate stretch of 2025.
UFC Qatar Fight Card
Predominant Card:
- Arman Tsarukyan vs. Dan Hooker (Lightweight – Predominant Event)
- Belal Muhammad vs. Ian Machado Garry (Welterweight)
- Volkan Oezdemir vs. Alonzo Menifield (Light Heavyweight)
- Jack Hermansson vs. Myktybek Orolbai (Welterweight)
- Tagir Ulanbekov vs. Kyoji Horiguchi (Flyweight)
- Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Shamil Gaziev (Heavyweight)
Preliminary Card:
- Bogdan Grad vs. Luke Riley (Featherweight)
- Nicolas Dalby vs. Saygid Izagakhmaev (Welterweight)
- Alex Perez vs. Asu Almabayev (Flyweight)
- Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev vs. Rafael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)
- Bekzat Almakhan vs. Aleksandre Topuria (Bantamweight)
- Ismail Naurdiev vs. Ryan Loder (Middleweight)
- Nurullo Aliev vs. Shaqueme Rock (Lightweight)
- Marek Bujło vs. Denzel Freeman (Heavyweight)