UFC Fight Night 257: Sergei Pavlovich vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta Preview & Prediction
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Big heavyweights throw down as Russia’s Sergei Pavlovich takes on Dominican contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta facts
What time are Sergei Pavlovich and Waldo Cortes-Acosta expected to walk out?
Where is UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? Shanghai Indoor Stadium, Shanghai, China
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 257
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang main card
Johnny Walker vs Zhang Mingyang (Light Heavyweight)
Brian Ortega vs Aljamain Sterling (Featherweight)
Sergei Pavlovich vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta (Heavyweight)
Su Mudaerji vs Kevin Borjas (Flyweight)
Taiyilake Nueraji vs Kiefer Crosbie (Welterweight)
UFC Fight Night 257: Walker vs Zhang prelims
Maheshate Hayisaer vs Gauge Young (Lightweight)
Lone'er Kavanagh vs Charles Johnson (Flyweight)
Rong Zhu vs Austin Hubbard (Lightweight)
Michel Pereira vs Kyle Daukaus (Middleweight)
Yi Zha vs Westin Wilson (Featherweight)
Xiao Long vs You Su-young (Bantamweight)
Uran Satybaldiev vs Diyar Nurgozhay (Light Heavyweight)
Sergei Pavlovich: Former boogeyman trying to reassert dominance
At 33 years old, Sergei Pavlovich (19-3, ranked #3) remains one of the division’s most feared punchers. He rebounded in his last outing with a decision win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, though the fight lacked the intensity fans had come to expect. Prior to that, he suffered back-to-back defeats against current champion Tom Aspinall and #2-ranked Alexander Volkov.
Before those setbacks, Pavlovich looked like the heavyweight division’s boogeyman, tearing through six opponents with first-round knockouts — including Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and Curtis Blaydes. In fact, 15 of his 19 career wins have come by knockout, all in the opening round.
Pavlovich’s style is boxing-heavy, built around calculated forward pressure, heavy hands, and pinpoint accuracy. Grappling is not part of his game; he wants to strike. However, since his loss to Aspinall he has looked more tentative, as shown by his decision defeat to Volkov and his cautious points win over Rozenstruik.
Waldo Cortes-Acosta: Salsa Boy on a hot streak
Waldo “Salsa Boy” Cortes-Acosta (14-1) has been in impressive form. The 33-year-old Dominican secured a unanimous decision win over #8-ranked Serghei Spivac in his last fight, extending his current winning streak to five. That run also includes a notable knockout of Ryan Spann.
The #6 ranked heavyweight has never been finished in his career. A former professional boxer, his style is built around clean boxing fundamentals — sticking, moving, and outclassing opponents with his hands. While striking is his bread and butter, he has also shown competent wrestling when required.
Sergei Pavlovich vs Waldo Cortes-Acosta prediction
This feels like Pavlovich’s fight to lose. He has the heavier hands which is important in a division where one punch can change everything — and his resume shows far stronger opposition than Cortes-Acosta has faced.
Although Cortes-Acosta hasn’t been finished, he was wobbled by Spivac, who lacks both the power and the striking pedigree of Pavlovich. The key factor is which version of Pavlovich shows up: the tentative, gun-shy fighter of recent outings, or the ruthless knockout artist who tore through the division.
Given the confidence boost from his win over Rozenstruik, I expect Pavlovich to rediscover his aggressive edge and remind the heavyweight ranks of his presence with a brutal finish.
Prediction: Sergei Pavlovich to win by KO/TKO
