Serghei Spivac entered UFC 316 in Newark as a seasoned heavyweight contender, aiming to halt the momentum of rising star Waldo Cortes-Acosta. Spivac, known for his grappling prowess and a resume boasting wins over Derrick Lewis and Marcin Tybura, was determined to prove that life inside the UFC’s Top is a different world for newcomers.
Cortes-Acosta, riding a four-fight win streak and hungry for a breakthrough, approached the bout with confidence, promising to keep the fight standing and test Spivac’s striking defense. The Dominican heavyweight, who has rapidly climbed the ranks with a 6-1 UFC record, viewed this matchup as his ticket into title contention.
In a closely contested battle, Cortes-Acosta executed his game plan, neutralizing Spivac’s takedown attempts and outworking him on the feet. After three rounds, the judges awarded Cortes-Acosta a unanimous decision victory with scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28, marking the biggest win of his career so far.
This result shakes up the heavyweight division, with Cortes-Acosta now eyeing a spot among the elite, while Spivac is left to regroup and plot his return to contention. The fight showcased the evolving landscape at heavyweight, where new contenders are eager to prove themselves against established veterans.
