UFC 328: Alexander Volkov vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta Preview & Prediction
Heavyweights clash in the feature fight on the main card, with Alexander Volkov looking to secure a title shot at the expense of the surging Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
Alexander Volkov vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta facts
What time are Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? Prudential Center, Newark, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 328
What TV channel is UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – Paramount
Where can I stream UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland? UK – TNT Sports can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and HBO Max / USA – Paramount+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland main card
Khamzat Chimaev vs Sean Strickland (Middleweight)
Joshua Van vs Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight)
Alexander Volkov vs Waldo-Cortes Acosta (Heavyweight)
Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley (Welterweight)
King Green vs Jeremy Stephens (Lightweight)
UFC 328: Chimaev vs Strickland prelims
Ateba Gautier vs Osman Diaz (Middleweight)
Joel Alvarez vs Yaroslav Amosov (Welterweight)
Grant Dawson vs Mateusz Rebecki (Lightweight)
Jim Miller vs Jared Gordon (Lightweight)
Roman Kopylov vs Marco Tulio (Middleweight)
Pat Sabatini vs William Gomis (Featherweight)
Baisangur Susurkaev vs Djorden Santos (Middleweight)
Clayton Carpenter vs Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Alexander Volkov: "Drago" looks to punch his ticket to a title shot
Last seen earning a split decision over Jailton Almeida, there’s an alternate universe where it’s Alexander Volkov (39-11) challenging Alex Pereira at the White House instead of Cyril Gane. One of the most underrated heavyweights in MMA history, Volkov has fought a litany of top contenders since joining the promotion almost a decade ago, with results largely going in his favor throughout that time. A towering kickboxer at 6’9, “Drago” is best known for his striking acumen, leveraging excellent kicks and straight shots to punish his opponents at range. However, at age 37, his ability to hang tough at the highest level of MMA is an ongoing question at this point in proceedings.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta: "Salsa Boy" aims to make this a changing of the guard moment at heavyweight
Entering this matchup off the back of three consecutive knockout victories, it’s time to start taking Waldo Cortes-Acosta (17-2) seriously as a title contender. A former baseball player, the Dominican Republic native has posted a 10-2 record since joining the promotion, with his only loss in recent years coming at the hands of fellow top contender, Sergei Pavlovich. Cortes-Acosta moves deceptively well for a heavyweight of his stature, something he complements with sneaky knockout power in his hands to present a notable threat on the feet. However, until he’s able to dispatch a legitimately elite contender, questions will remain over his long term viability at the top of the division.
Alexander Volkov vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta prediction
Who comes out on top in what is likely a heavyweight title eliminator bout?
Volkov looks to be a worthy favorite on paper, despite entering this match up at the age of 37. The towering Russian has fought and largely beaten nearly every top contender that the heavyweight division has to offer. Many argue that he should have got the nod over Cyril Gane in their title elimination match up at UFC 310, a result that would have changed the course of the division’s history given Gane’s current prominent placement in the title picture.
Entering this match up off the back of three straight KO victories as the younger fighter with less wear on the tracks, the momentum would appear to favour Cortes-Acosta. However, as impressive as his recent run of form has been, he arguably has yet to defeat a truly elite heavyweight, dropping a decision to Sergei Pavlovich during his only attempt to date. As such, the fact that Volkov schooled Pavlovich in their 2024 contest only bodes further ill for “Salsa Boy.”
It’s not outside the realms of possibility that this proves to be the fight where the wheels fall off for the 37 year old Russian but we’re siding with “Drago” to win through here. While there’s potential for a Cortes-Acosta KO, the pick is Volkov by decision.
Prediction: Alexander Volkov to win by decision
