Rising Heavyweight Prospect Set to Battle Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC Fight Night in St. Louis
In a much-anticipated matchup, undefeated heavyweight contender Despaigne is gearing up to face off against Waldo Cortes-Acosta on May 11 at a UFC Fight Night event in St. Louis. The announcement, first made by Despaigne’s manager, AJ Ariosa of First Round Management, has garnered significant attention from MMA enthusiasts eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Despaigne’s promising career.
Despaigne, boasting an impressive 5-0 record in MMA, made his UFC debut in style at UFC 299 in Miami, where he showcased his exceptional skills with a stunning 18-second TKO victory over Josh Parisian. Notably, Despaigne holds the distinction of having the longest reach in UFC history, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his fighting style. As an Olympic medalist in taekwondo hailing from Cuba, Despaigne has captured the imagination of fans and experts alike, emerging as a standout prospect in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Meanwhile, Despaigne’s opponent, Cortes-Acosta, enters the bout riding the momentum of a significant triumph over former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski in January. With a professional record of 10-1, including an impressive 4-1 record in the UFC, Cortes-Acosta is a formidable adversary known for his tenacity and skill inside the octagon. Despite suffering his first professional loss to Marcos Rogerio de Lima in April 2023, Cortes-Acosta has rebounded with back-to-back victories, signaling his readiness to take on the best in the division.
As the anticipation builds for their upcoming clash, MMA fans are eagerly awaiting further details about the UFC’s return to St. Louis, marking the promotion’s first event in the city in over six years.
