Cortes-Acosta vs Gaziev Prediction
💪 On November 22, 2025, the ABHA Arena in Doha, Qatar, will host the nation's first-ever UFC tournament. Shamil Gaziev and Sergey Spivak were initially slated to headline the main card. However, the Moldovan fighter has withdrawn from the bout. Just two days before the event, Waldo Cortes Acosta stepped up to replace Spivak. Can the American, with such short notice, pose a challenge to Gaziev?
H2H Stats Fights and Previous Results
Waldo Cortes-Acosta Player Overview
Waldo Cortes Acosta boasts an impressive professional record with 15 wins in 17 bouts. Until August, the American fighter was in remarkable form, stringing together a five-fight winning streak. However, late in the summer, he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Sergey Pavlovich. On November 2, Acosta bounced back from that defeat by knocking out Ante Delija in a dramatic fight, during which he also endured an eye poke.
Match Results: Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Shamil Gaziev Player Overview
Shamil Gaziev, a 35-year-old fighter from Bahrain with Russian roots, is a standout heavyweight who honed his skills under the tutelage of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. His professional career kicked off in October 2020, during which he made a name for himself across various promotions, including Belarusian FC, MMA Series, AMC Fight Night, Pro FC, Ares, and Brave CF. Gaziev secured a UFC contract in September 2023 after an impressive showing in the Contender Series. Since joining the premier league, he has competed in four bouts, securing three victories and suffering a single defeat to Jairzinho Rozenstruik in March of the previous year. Currently, Shamil is on a roll with a two-fight winning streak, the latest being a spectacular first-round knockout of Thomas Petersen in February 2025.
Match Results: Shamil Gaziev
⭐ Editorial Prediction
Valdo Cortes Acosta steps in on extremely short notice. The big question is why he's getting involved in such a scenario. It seems likely that the financial incentive was too good to pass up. However, under these circumstances, the American's chances are slim. Gaziev has been methodically preparing for the event in Qatar, completing an excellent camp, while Acosta is jumping straight into the fray, arriving from another continent. We believe Shamil should secure this fight without much trouble.