Get ready for a heavyweight showdown that could shake up the UFC rankings! Waldo Cortes-Acosta is diving headfirst into 2026 with a high-stakes battle against Derrick Lewis at UFC 324 in Las Vegas, and this matchup is anything but ordinary. But here’s where it gets controversial: after a whirlwind 2025 that saw Cortes-Acosta climb to No. 5 in the heavyweight division, he’s now facing Lewis, who sits just below him at No. 8. Is this the fight that solidifies Cortes-Acosta’s rise, or will Lewis prove he’s still a force to be reckoned with? Let’s break it down.
Cortes-Acosta (16-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) had a year in 2025 that most fighters could only dream of. Kicking things off with a second-round stoppage of Ryan Spann in March, he followed it up with a decision win over Serghei Spivac and a tough loss to Sergei Pavlovich. But the ‘Salsa Boy’ didn’t stay down for long. He bounced back with a first-round finish of Ante Delija—a fight that had its fair share of drama—and then, in a move that left fans in awe, he took on Shamil Gaziev on just three days’ notice in Qatar, knocking him out in a jaw-dropping 82 seconds. Talk about a work ethic! And this is the part most people miss: Cortes-Acosta’s ability to adapt and thrive under pressure has made him a fan favorite and a rising star in the division.
On the other side of the Octagon, Derrick Lewis (29-12 MMA, 20-10 UFC) took a more measured approach in 2025, with only one appearance. ‘The Black Beast’ made it count, though, delivering a 35-second knockout of Tallison Teixeira in July. That win marked his second in a row, following a third-round stoppage of Rodrigo Nascimento in May 2024. Lewis may not have been as active as Cortes-Acosta, but his power and experience are undeniable. Here’s the burning question: Can Lewis’s knockout artistry overcome Cortes-Acosta’s relentless pace and momentum?
UFC 324, set for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena, is the first numbered event of the Paramount era, and it’s stacked with must-see fights. Alongside Cortes-Acosta vs. Lewis, the card features Justin Gaethje vs. Paddy Pimblett for the interim lightweight title, Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes for the women’s bantamweight title, and Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong, among others. This event is shaping up to be a fight fan’s dream.
So, what do you think? Is Cortes-Acosta’s rise unstoppable, or will Lewis remind everyone why he’s a legend in the division? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
